At an extended government meeting, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the strategic importance of developing transport logistics, emphasizing that ineffective use of the country’s unique location on the Eurasian continent would be a grave historical mistake. He stated that the transit industry must be integrated into the overall system of industrial and investment policy and transformed from a primarily infrastructure-based sector into a fully-fledged economic driver in the face of global competition.
The head of state noted that today, approximately 60% of freight turnover in Kazakhstan is carried by rail, so strengthening the railway infrastructure remains a priority. Despite the completion of several major infrastructure projects that have increased network capacity, track deterioration remains high. The President ordered the launch of the new Moiynty-Kyzylzhar and Darbaza-Maktaaral lines, the completion of the modernization of the Altynkol-Zhetygen and Beineu-Mangistau sections, and the commissioning of the Bakhty-Ayagoz railway within the established timeframe, emphasizing that any slowdown in the pace of work is unacceptable.
Tokayev paid special attention to plans to increase transit traffic by 65% to 55 million tons this year. In this regard, he demanded that Samruk-Kazyna and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy take comprehensive measures, including completing digital transformation, fully digitizing, and regulating the process of providing freight cars to ensure transparency and equal support for carriers. Furthermore, a final decision on the Concept of a new tariff policy, which, according to the President, is the cornerstone of the country’s entire transport strategy, must be made by September 1.