The “1520 Strategic Partnership: the Caucasus Region” International Regional Rail Business Forum will be held on 11-13 October 2010 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event is timed to coincide with the 130th anniversary of the forum’s general partner, Azerbaijan Railways. Russian Railways is a general international partner.  

The forum’s agenda will center on the efficient development of the North-South Transport Corridor. 

Participants will discuss measures to enhance management efficiency, increase the volume of freight and passenger international transportation and strengthen business ties between partners on  the transportation market of the North-South International Transport Corridor Agreement member-states.   

Experts say that many Asian and European countries can already use the North-South corridor. This route, the longest part of which runs through Iran, offers much cheaper and faster transportation options than the Suez Canal. All this makes the North-South corridor attractive to businessmen.   

The leaders of the largest Russian corporations, as well as companies from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Baltics, are welcome to participate in this forum, along with senior legislative and executive officials from countries using the 1520 mm gauge, researchers and experts.   

For further details and reports from previous events, visit the forum’s website at www.forum1520.ru