Central Asia

Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, presented the company’s performance results at a meeting of the Public Council of JSC Samruk-Kazyna. For the year 2025, the national railway operator demonstrated growth across all key operational and financial indicators. Freight turnover increased by 7%, traffic volume rose by 6%, transit shipments grew by 20%, and export shipments by 7%. The company’s revenue for the year increased by 27%, while net profit grew 2.1-fold. This positive trend continued into the first quarter of 2026.

In recent years, Germany has deepened its reliance on supplies of strategically vital goods from China, despite the government’s stated objective to mitigate economic risks and diversify supply chains. This conclusion was reached by experts at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, an organization affiliated with Germany’s Free Democratic Party (FDP). The study was published ahead of a visit to China by Germany’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Katharina Reiche, and reveals that the share of Chinese imports across a range of critical goods continues to rise.

A.P. Moller – Maersk has announced the launch of a new ocean service, FI2, which will connect countries in the Far East of Asia with the Indian subcontinent. The first westbound voyage is scheduled to depart from Shanghai on June 4, 2026. This new route was established in response to growing customer demand for additional capacity on the China–India trade lane and will ensure faster, more regular shipments between the region’s key manufacturing and trading hubs.

In May 2026, Kalmar completed the expansion of its facility in Shanghai – a project aimed at optimizing production processes and increasing equipment output. As part of this initiative, operational efficiency was enhanced through the centralization of post-assembly operations, while a foundation was established for future production growth and the further development of the company’s electric equipment portfolio.

Representatives of the Port of Kuryk participated in the “USA–Eurasia” Transport Forum, held at the Port of Long Beach in California. The event was organized by the Consulates General of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, bringing together representatives from the port industry, logistics companies, the business sector, and the diplomatic community to discuss prospects for expanding trade and transport ties between the USA and the countries of Eurasia. The Kazakhstani delegation included officials from the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the leadership of the Port of Kuryk, and representatives of the country’s diplomatic missions.

Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, held talks with Zufar Narzullaev, Head of JSC Uzbekistan Temir Yullari. During the meeting, the parties focused on expanding cargo flows toward the Kazakhstani ports of Aktau and Kuryk, as well as on the synchronized development of the railway infrastructure of both countries.

On May 22, 2026, a roundtable discussion was held in Almaty at ALT University (named after M. Tynyshpayev), dedicated to the integration of science, education, business, and production logistics with the aim of establishing a unified digital transport and logistics system for Kazakhstan. The event was attended by representatives of government agencies, transport and logistics companies, the scientific and educational community, as well as industry experts. The Union of Transport Workers of Kazakhstan – KAZLOGISTICS – was represented at the meeting by its Director General, Kanat Almagambetov.

The Ministries of Transport of Kazakhstan and Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the first state visit of Kenyan President William Ruto to Kazakhstan. Following the negotiations, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that combining the transport potential of the two countries would enable the opening of new export routes and strengthen trade ties between Central Asia and Africa. The parties paid particular attention to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and its integration with key maritime corridors in East Africa.

Logistics operator Rohlig SUUS Logistics continues to expand its presence in Central Asia and has announced the opening of a new subsidiary in Uzbekistan. The new office has commenced operations in Tashkent, marking the company’s next strategic step following its entry into the Kazakhstani market. SUUS noted that this decision is driven by Central Asia’s growing role in international trade and increased business interest in the region’s emerging markets.

China continues to expand its use of the international TIR system for shipments under customs seals, thereby accelerating overland cargo flows between Asian and European nations. This new mechanism combines the advantages of free customs zones with streamlined TIR procedures, resulting in fewer transshipments and inspections, while allowing for the deferral of import duty payments to a later stage.