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Eastcomtrans secures a USD 40 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the expansion of its Zhetygen logistical center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. As the country’s largest private rolling stock operator, Eastcomtrans plans to utilize the funds to acquire up to 250 new rail cars, maintain its existing stock, and enhance the pivotal logistics hub’s capabilities. Positioned near the largest municipality in Kazakhstan and in proximity to the Chinese border, the upgraded center will play a crucial role in the Trans-Caspian Corridor, facilitating smoother cargo traffic and meeting the rising demand for freight services in the region amid anticipated growth in trade volumes between Asia and Europe.

In 2023, the freight volume on the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) networks reached 257.3 million tons, exceeding the previous year’s figure by 5 million tons. Exports increased by 9%, reaching 85.8 million tons. It is noteworthy that the domestic loading of coal remained stable at the 2022 level, totaling 74 million tons, while coal exports reached 31.7 million tons.

In the Kostanay region, dynamic growth in container transportation continues. Over the 11 months of 2023, the Kostanay branch of freight transport successfully loaded 13,173 fitting platforms with a total weight of 693.6 thousand tons (23,454 containers). Kenes Dyusekeev, the head of the logistics department of the Kostanay branch, emphasized that this achievement led to the establishment of 303 organized routes.

In Kazakhstan, large-scale transportation projects covering automotive, railway, air, and maritime transport are actively being implemented. The total volume of freight transportation has reached 895 million tons, accompanied by a 1.6-fold increase in industry investments to 1.8 trillion tenge.

The Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, highlighted the positive economic impact expected from the construction of the “China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan” railway during discussions with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport, Ilkhom Makhkamov. Japarov emphasized the significant strategic collaboration between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, citing the railway project as a major transit infrastructure initiative that will contribute to the economic development of both nations.

Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, highlighted the pivotal role of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in connecting the entire Eurasian region during a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. Emphasizing the development focus on the North-South corridor, providing access to the Middle East, Iran, Pakistan, and India, President Tokayev welcomed the practical implementation of the Kazakh initiative to establish the Chelyabinsk – Bolasak – Iran route. Kazakhstan is prepared to upgrade key rail and road networks, including the Beineu – Mangystau, Makat – Kandagash railways, and the Beineu – Shalkar road section.

The new terminal, established within the framework of the Kazakhstan-China logistics hub “One Belt, One Road” in Xi’an, has commenced operation in a testing phase, unlocking extensive opportunities for Kazakh agrarians and exporters. Direct cargo shipments have become more efficient, fostering the development of value-added chains in the agricultural sector and ensuring faster deliveries of agricultural products to global markets.

Uzbekistan has sought assistance from Qatar to advance the Trans-Afghan Railway project, as reported by Trend. The collaboration was discussed during a meeting between Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Emphasizing bilateral cooperation, the discussions included strategies to enhance relations in the transportation and logistics sectors. Notably, Qatar has expressed full support for Uzbekistan’s Trans-Afghan Railway initiative. Uzbekistan Railways JSC presented the project to Qatar’s Ministry of Transport in October 2023, initiating talks on Qatar’s involvement in the project’s execution. The envisioned $5 billion corridor aims to connect Europe, Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asian countries, facilitating transit of up to 20 million tons of cargo. The Termez-Mazar-I-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway road map, signed by the administrations of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in February 2021, underlines the collaborative effort to establish this vital transport link.

The Bakhty-Ayagoz railway line, spanning 272 km, is expected to increase the throughput capacity between Kazakhstan and China from 28 to around 48 million tons. The commissioning of the double-track railway is scheduled for 2027. The project will be implemented with the participation of a private investor under the principles of public-private partnership (PPP). It includes the construction of 11 stations, 47 bridges, 23 railway and 8 road viaducts, along with the establishment of a container hub.

Lithuania and Kazakhstan express readiness to strengthen collaboration in the field of transportation and logistics, considering the possibility of restoring direct air connections between the two countries. Satzhan Ablaliev, the Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, met with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to discuss the results of cooperation in transportation, international road transport, and civil aviation. The parties also agreed to further enhance their interaction within the upcoming Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 in Vilnius.