In an interview with the Turkistan newspaper, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that developing transit and logistics is a strategic priority for the country. Despite being landlocked, Kazakhstan occupies a central position in Eurasia, located at the intersection of major international transport routes. According to the head of state, this competitive advantage must be fully leveraged, and the long-term goal is to establish Kazakhstan as a transport hub and logistics hub for the entire continent.
A key element of this strategy is the large-scale development of railway infrastructure. Tokayev noted the importance of launching the new Dostyk-Moiynty line, which will increase freight traffic between China and Europe on this route fivefold. Plans also include the construction of the Moiynty-Kyzylzhar, Bakhty-Ayagoz, and Darbaza-Maktaaral railways. By 2030, Kazakhstan plans to build and modernize approximately 5,000 kilometers of railways and repair another 11,000 kilometers of existing lines. At the same time, the Center-West highway project is being implemented, which will reduce the distance between the capital and the western regions by more than 500 kilometers.
The President emphasized that Kazakhstan has already developed a comprehensive international transportation system: 12 international transport corridors – five rail and seven road – pass through the country, accounting for up to 85% of overland transportation between China and Europe. At the same time, competition in the transit sector is intensifying, as logistics has become part of global geopolitics. Kazakhstan is actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, the North-South Initiative, and the development of the Trans-Caspian Route (the “Middle Corridor”), and is also exploring the prospects of the Russia-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran route with access to seaports. Priorities include the creation of modern transport and logistics hubs, the modernization of ports, airports, and train stations, and the development of an effective digital ecosystem.