Škoda Group explores opportunities to modernise Azerbaijan’s metro and rail networks

12. 10. 2026

Škoda Group explores opportunities to modernise Azerbaijan’s metro and rail networks

Škoda Group is participating in a business mission to Azerbaijan organised by the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic and attended by the Czech Minister of Transport. The European technology group is represented on the mission by Tomáš Ignačák, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Škoda Group. The visit aims to strengthen business relations and explore opportunities for long-term cooperation in the modernisation of public transport, particularly in the areas of metro systems, rail vehicle maintenance and service, and professional training and education.

Škoda Group sees Azerbaijan as a promising market with significant potential for the development of modern and sustainable transport. Its ambition is to establish cooperation with strong local partners and gradually build a long-term industrial presence that would include not only the supply of modern vehicles, but also their maintenance, modernisation and the transfer of technological know-how.

As part of the business mission, Tomáš Ignačák participated in a meeting between Czech Minister of Transport Ivan Bednárik and representatives of Azerbaijan’s AZCON holding company. The meeting was attended by Shahin Babayev, Chairman of AZCON, and also by Vusal Aslanov, Chairman of Baku Metropolitan, and Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways. During the meeting, the Czech delegation presented Škoda Group’s offering focused on the modernisation of metro and suburban rail transport, including opportunities for long-term industrial cooperation.

Azerbaijan offers promising opportunities for the development of transport infrastructure, and we want to be part of its modernisation. Our ambition is not only to supply modern vehicles, but also to build long-term cooperation with local partners in the areas of maintenance, technology and education. Such a model can contribute not only to improving the quality of public transport, but also to creating skilled jobs and developing local industry.

Tomáš Ignačák, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Škoda Group

An important part of the proposal presented is the planned investment in a joint venture with a local partner. The project envisages the gradual localisation of manufacturing and maintenance activities, the transfer of European technological know-how and the involvement of Azerbaijani suppliers. Its aim is to develop local industrial capabilities, create skilled jobs and support the training of technical specialists. The long-term ambition is to establish a manufacturing and maintenance facility in Baku that could also serve other markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia in the future.