BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 1.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates intend to
jointly work on a new railway route connecting Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan (CASA), with access to
Pakistan’s seaports, according to the government of Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding on
cooperation within the CASA railway project was signed by
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of
Transport and the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure on
September 30.
“The CASA project provides for the formation of a new
railway route that is expected to ensure transport connectivity
between Central and South Asia and create additional opportunities
for the development of international transportation, trade,
logistics and investment cooperation,” the government said.
Under the memorandum, the parties intend to conduct
technical and economic studies, analytical assessments, and examine
the feasibility of developing the necessary railway infrastructure
and related facilities.
The government noted that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
have developed railway infrastructure and significant transit
potential, while the UAE has international experience in transport
infrastructure, logistics and the implementation of major
investment projects.
“Combining these capabilities will make it possible
to move toward practical development of the CASA project and
determine optimal mechanisms for its implementation,” the
government said.
The parties also discussed further steps and specific
areas of joint work. In particular, they are considering the
possibility of establishing a Working Group to comprehensively
address the technical, economic and financial aspects of the
project.
