Russia to Sign MTK 'North-South' Deals with Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Russia is preparing to sign agreements on the North-South International Transport Corridor with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, alongside other countries in the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia, to enhance logistics connectivity.
Consensus
- Russia is preparing to sign documents related to the North-South International Transport Corridor (MTK) with Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
- Countries of the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia have shown interest in connecting to the MTK's port facilities.
- The MTK 'North-South' corridor runs from Saint Petersburg to the Indian port of Mumbai, spanning 7,200 km.
- The MTK has three routes: trans-Caspian (rail and port), western, and eastern (land-based).
- Russia has already signed memorandums with Iran, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and Oman.
- Russia is working with Iran and Azerbaijan on the development of the western route of the MTK.
- The western route passes through Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, the Persian Gulf, and India.
- Key transport hubs on the western route include Astrakhan, Makhachkala (Russia), Baku (Azerbaijan), Resht, and Bandar Abbas (Iran).
Points of divergence
- The MTK 'North-South' project is estimated at €1.6 billion, with €1.3 billion provided by Russia as a loan. — kommersant
- In May 2023, Russia and Iran agreed on the completion of the final section of the railway on the western route. — kommersant
- Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin stated that Russia is working on signing memorandums to simplify transport across the MTK 'North-South'. — vesti
- Russia is developing through logistics services in cooperation with Iran and Azerbaijan. — vesti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Russia will sign documents on the MTK 'North-South' with Qatar and Saudi Arabia — Коммерсантъ
- Russia is preparing agreements on the MTC with Qatar and Saudi Arabia — Вести