Towards a new international business corridor linking Japan and Central Asia
Conex Ltd (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hikaru Watanabe) has entered into a business partnership agreement with Davidov Consulting Group LLC (Representative: Tural Davidov), based in Baku, Azerbaijan Republic. This agreement aims to facilitate mutual market entry into Japan and Azerbaijan, alongside providing support for trade, logistics, and business development. This alliance represents an international business partnership that provides practical support for Japanese companies entering emerging markets, using Azerbaijan – a strategic hub connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia – as its starting point.
This partnership is an international business collaboration that provides practical support for Japanese companies entering emerging markets, with Azerbaijan—a strategic hub connecting Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia—as its starting point.
Background: The Changing Landscape of International Logistics and the 'Next Market'
Figure: Overview of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (commonly known as the Middle Corridor) Source: Middle Corridor Official Website
In recent years, shifts in the international landscape have heightened interest in new corridors to replace existing logistics and trade routes. Within this context, Azerbaijan is strengthening its presence as a hub connecting Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, leveraging its logistics network centred on the Caspian Sea.
The government of that country is also advancing the attraction of foreign companies and trade facilitation as a national strategy, with business opportunities expanding primarily in the infrastructure, logistics, IT, and trade sectors. For Japanese companies, however, insufficient information and the hurdles of local operations remained challenges.
Objective of the partnership: not mere concepts, but ‘actionable support for market entry’
Through this partnership, Connex, which provides cross-border business support in Japan, and Davidov Consulting Group, possessing networks with both government and private entities in Azerbaijan, will collaborate to establish a comprehensive support framework covering everything from market research to local operations.
The roles of each company
Davidov Consulting Group
- Support for Japanese Companies Entering the Azerbaijani Market
- Market research, compliance with regulations and commercial practices, local operational support
- Practical support for trade, logistics and business start-ups
ConeX Ltd
- Supporting Azerbaijani companies in entering the Japanese market
- Market research in Japan, compliance with administrative and commercial practices, practical support
- Business matching support with Japanese companies
Both companies have already entered into NDAs and non-circumvention agreements, establishing a collaborative framework that ensures transparency and continuity for referred business.
Future Outlook: Towards Concrete Implementation in Logistics, Trade and Infrastructure Sectors
Henceforth,
- Business support in the field of international logistics and trade
- Collaboration on infrastructure and IT-related projects
- A practical bridge connecting Japanese companies with the Azerbaijani government and businesses
Through this, we plan to create new international business flows originating from the Caspian Sea region.
Commencing with this partnership, both companies will advance initiatives to transform the Central Asian and Caucasus regions—previously distant markets for Japanese enterprises—into viable options.
ConeX Ltd
Location: 2-23-1 Kanda Sudamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tensho Office Akihabara Manseibashi 606
CEO: Hikaru Watanabe
Business Activities: Cross-border business support, cross-border e-commerce support, trade support services
URL：https://www.cone-x.jp/en
Davidov Consulting Group LLC
Location：3rd floor, A. Rajabli str. 1/7, Baku, Azerbaijan AZ1052
Representative：Tural Davidov
Business Activities: Market entry support, consulting, local operational support
URL：https://davidov.az
