As a key node on the ancient Silk Road, Kars, a border town in eastern Turkey, is experiencing new development opportunities. Kars Mayor Ötiken Şengel recently stated that the city will leverage its geographical advantages, actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, and build a regional logistics hub.

Kars, Turkey's gateway to the Caucasus and Black Sea regions, enjoys a unique locational advantage. Mayor Şengel stated, "Kars holds a significant strategic position both historically and geographically, and we will fully support its development as a logistics hub within the Belt and Road Initiative."

Key to this transformation lies in the upgrade and expansion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. This transnational railway line, which opened in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2024, has become a key node on the China-Europe Railway Express's Southern Corridor. Through this new route, cargo can depart from the Khorgos Port in Xinjiang, China, travel directly to Kars via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and then be shipped to various locations in Europe, significantly reducing transportation time between China and Europe. "Kars is facing unprecedented development opportunities," said Shengel. "As freight volume grows, we will continue to increase investment in railway infrastructure, improve transportation efficiency, and build an industrial ecosystem centered on rail transportation."

To attract more Chinese investment, Kars plans to simplify foreign investment procedures and optimize the business environment. At the same time, the city will leverage its historical and cultural advantages to engage in cultural and tourism cooperation with China and attract Chinese tourists. Shengel believes, "China's development model holds valuable lessons for Kars, and we look forward to deepening cooperation in various fields under the Belt and Road Initiative."

This once-glorious ancient Silk Road city is writing a new chapter of development through its active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. (This article is from the official website of Seetao, www.seetao.com. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Please credit Seetao.com and the original link.) Seetao.com Infrastructure Project Editor/Wang Xia