Marat Shakenov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, spoke at the plenary session of the sixth meeting of the heads of railway administrations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states. During the discussion, he noted that the SCO meetings have become an effective platform for analyzing joint efforts and developing new steps to develop transport links across the Eurasian region. He stated that the development of rail transportation remains a priority in Kazakhstan’s transport policy, aimed at unlocking the country’s transit potential.
Presenting the company’s performance, Shakenov reported that KTZ reached a historic high in freight traffic by the end of 2025 – 320 million tonnes, a 5.5% increase over the 2024 figure. International freight traffic totaled 143 million tonnes, of which more than 80%, or 115.3 million tonnes, was carried by SCO countries, representing a 6% year-on-year increase. In the first two months of 2026, 19.8 million tons of freight have already been transported on the KTZ network, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year.
Following the meeting, the parties signed a protocol of intent on the further integration of logistics systems and the development of international transport corridors. KTZ emphasized that cooperation within the SCO remains a strategically important area for Kazakhstan, strengthening the country’s role as a key link in global logistics routes.