| Armenia as a Strategic Corridor: Enhancing Cooperation in the Kapan Region for Manufacturing and Eurasian Economic Integration |
| کد مقاله : 1088-AFTZCONF |
| نویسندگان |
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حامد کاظم زاده * دانشگاه کلگری |
| چکیده مقاله |
| The Aras Free Zone (AFZ), located in northwestern Iran, is a critical spatial-economic hub shaped by a complex interplay of regional and global forces. Positioned as one of Iran’s six key corridors for international trade, the AFZ facilitates the integration of domestic markets into the global economy, with particular emphasis on transit and trade with the South Caucasus region. Armenia, as a neighboring state and member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), offers significant opportunities for regional economic cooperation, particularly in the Kapan city area. This study explores the potential for establishing manufacturing platforms in Kapan as a strategic extension of the AFZ’s influence. By leveraging Armenia’s position as a transit corridor and its access to the EAEU, Kapan can serve as a critical hub for Iranian-Armenian collaboration, enhancing market access, and fostering industrial development. Geographically, the AFZ is uniquely positioned along the Aras River, adjacent to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, making it a pivotal point for cross-border trade and logistics. This proximity to multiple borders enhances the zone’s ability to act as a gateway to the wider Eurasian region. Armenia’s Kapan region, in particular, offers a strategic location for connecting Iranian goods to broader Eurasian and European markets. The natural geography of the AFZ, combined with well-established transit routes, facilitates efficient transportation and trade flows, making it a crucial node for economic integration. These cooperative efforts could substantially strengthen economic ties between Iran, Armenia, and the broader South Caucasus, contributing to the AFZ’s long-term regional and global economic significance. |
| کلیدواژه ها |
| Aras Free Zone, Armenia, Kapan, Eurasian Economic Union, regional cooperation, manufacturing, South Caucasus, transit corridor, economic integration |
| وضعیت: چکیده برای ارائه شفاهی پذیرفته شده است |
