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Tengrinews.kz – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said Kazakhstan has the vision and ambition to turn into a major transport hub of Eurasia, commenting on the country’s growing transit and logistics potential.
Tokayev shared his views in an extensive interview with the Turkistan newspaper. During the conversation, the Head of State was asked about the increasing role of transit and logistics for Kazakhstan, the steps already taken in this area, and the priorities for future development.
According to the President, strengthening Kazakhstan’s transit and logistics potential is a task of strategic importance. Despite having no direct access to the sea, Kazakhstan is located in the center of the Eurasian continent, at the crossroads of most major transit routes.
“For our country, strengthening its transit and logistics potential is a strategic task. Although Kazakhstan does not have direct access to the sea, it is located in the heart of Eurasia, at the intersection of most transit routes. This is a major advantage that we must use wisely for the benefit of the country. There is a clear vision and desire to turn Kazakhstan into a transport hub of Eurasia – this is the main direction of our work in this sector,” Tokayev said.
The President highlighted the launch of the new Dostyk–Moyynty railway line, which will allow freight volumes between China and Europe to increase fivefold on this section. Plans also include the construction of new railway lines such as Moyynty–Kyzylzhar, Bakhty–Ayagoz, and Darbaza–Maktaaral.
“In total, we plan to build and modernize 5,000 kilometers of railways and repair another 11,000 kilometers of existing lines by 2030,” Tokayev said.
He also emphasized the importance of the Center–West highway, which will reduce the distance between the capital and western regions by more than 500 kilometers.
According to the President, Kazakhstan has succeeded in creating an extensive transport system that extends beyond its national borders.
“Despite being far from ocean shipping routes, Kazakhstan has formed a network of cargo terminals stretching from the Yellow Sea to the Black Sea. Twelve international transport corridors pass through our territory – five rail and seven road routes – accounting for up to 85 percent of overland freight traffic between China and Europe,” he added.
At the same time, Tokayev noted that easy profits should not be expected in this sector, as competition is growing and transport and logistics have become part of geopolitics. He stressed that transit issues are now firmly on the agenda of high-level international negotiations, underlining their importance for Kazakhstan.
The President recalled that Kazakhstan actively participates in the development of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the North–South corridor, and the Trans-Caspian transport route, also known as the Middle Corridor.
“We consider shipments along the Russia–Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran route, with access to seaports, to be promising. We also welcome China’s involvement in the Middle Corridor,” Tokayev said.
He concluded by noting that the potential of the transit and logistics sector goes far beyond infrastructure alone.
“This is a fundamental area where almost all sectors of our economy converge. Therefore, the Government has been tasked with building transport and logistics hubs with modern engineering and service infrastructure, upgrading seaports, airports and railway stations, as well as creating an efficient digital ecosystem,” the President said.
