On behalf of the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan, large-scale reforms in the field of freight rail transportation have begun. The Association of Kazakhstan Freight Rail Carriers, together with the Ministry of Transport and the antimonopoly authority, are developing a set of measures to create conditions for real competition, ensure transparent and stable rules for access to infrastructure.
Among the key proposals are the removal of the infrastructure operator from the structure of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the development of transparent regulations for access to the main network for private carriers, the transition to a market tariff model and the creation of an independent regulator to control competition and tariffs. It is also proposed to allow new participants to the market, including transit companies, and to intensify the attraction of private investment through PPPs, concessions and joint projects.
Today, the main operator of freight rail transportation in Kazakhstan remains the KTZ structure. However, according to the concept of industry development, a gradual liberalization of the sector is planned from 2027, which will open the market to a wider range of participants and increase the efficiency of rail logistics in the country.