Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) organized an international business conference in Brussels titled “Strengthening Connectivity between Kazakhstan and the EU: Prospects and Strategic Potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).” Supported by the Government of Kazakhstan and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Belgium, the event brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission, international financial institutions, and major European transport and logistics companies.
The conference focuses on key areas for the development of the Middle Corridor, such as increasing the TITR’s throughput capacity, modernizing railway, port, and terminal infrastructure, and digitizing logistics processes. Discussions involve representatives from KTZ, Kazakhstani government bodies, the European Union, and leading logistics companies, including DHL Global Forwarding, Alstom, DB Cargo, HHLA International, Rhenus, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Ahlers Logistics, and A.P. Moller – Maersk. Particular attention is paid to integrating the route with the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and establishing resilient supply chains between Europe and Central Asia.
The conference is taking place during the official visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Belgium. The visit includes scheduled talks with the leadership of the European Council and the European Commission, as well as the Belgian government. KTZ notes that the high level of participation underscores Europe’s growing interest in developing the Trans-Caspian route and reinforces Kazakhstan’s position as a key transit hub between the EU and Asia.