BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 25. Kazakhstan
considers the development of the Middle Corridor a priority task,
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the Kazakhstan-China
Investment Forum in Almaty today.


According to the president's press service, Tokayev
noted that amid the profound transformation of the global economy,
Kazakhstan and China can offer a modern and effective model of
cooperation based on mutual trust, openness and common long-term
interests.


The president outlined priority areas for further
mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, with
transport and logistics among the key areas.


“Together with international partners, we are
increasing railway capacity, expanding highways and seaports,
developing air cargo and cross-border infrastructure. From
Lianyungang to Aktau, a network of logistics hubs has been
established, connecting China’s coast with the Caspian Sea. The
Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Chengdu, where Kazakhstan’s Consulate
General is planned to open, will become a new important link in the
logistics network. We consider the development of the Middle
Corridor, which is shaping a modern configuration of transport
links between Asia and Europe, a priority task,” the president
said.


Tokayev noted that companies actively involved in
expanding the capacity of transit hubs were participating in the
forum.


He said the number of container trains from China to
Europe is expected to reach 3,000 by 2029, further strengthening
Kazakhstan’s role in global logistics chains.







According to Tokayev, a number of joint transport
initiatives are also moving forward. Construction of the
Aral-Caspian highway began in August, while the Moyynty–Kyzylzhar
and Bakhty–Ayagoz railway lines are expected to be completed
soon.


He noted that Kazakhstan and China are also
introducing digital technologies under the Smart Border pilot
project and developing a logistics corridor with unmanned transport
technologies and digital solutions in partnership with Minmetals
Logistics.


Tokayev also highlighted the development of
multimodal transportation, noting the launch of national air cargo
carrier Alatau Air Cargo and the entry of major international cargo
airlines, including Cathay Pacific Cargo, into the Kazakh
market.


He added that new passenger routes connecting
Kazakhstan and China had been launched this year, including
Almaty–Xi'an, Almaty–Shanghai, Astana–Guangzhou and Aktau–Urumqi. A
direct passenger route between Almaty and Chongqing was also
launched this week.