The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) announced that over $52 billion will be invested in the development of Central Asian transport corridors by 2035. According to Evgeny Vinokurov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Economist of the EDB, a significant portion of the investment is being directed toward developing routes along the North-South axis, including the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Trans-Afghan Corridor, which open up new trade opportunities with the Persian Gulf countries and South Asia.
According to the bank, transit traffic through Central Asia has increased by 70% over the past five years, a trend that is sustainable. Approximately 80% of all transit flows pass through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with 60% of freight transported by rail. “We are seeing a twofold increase in foreign trade between the countries of the region and China, and transit flows are also growing. However, Central Asia needs modern infrastructure to realize its potential,” Vinokurov noted.
The EDB believes that further transit development depends not only on infrastructure but also on institutional reforms—simplification of border procedures, digitalization, and a coordinated tariff policy. These measures will expedite freight movement, reduce shipping costs, and strengthen Central Asia’s position as a key transit bridge between Europe and Asia.