BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 26. Kazakh President
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is consistently strengthening the country’s
position as a transport and logistics hub in Eurasia.


“Airports, railway stations, bridges, seaports and border
infrastructure are being built and modernized. This is important
work, and it will continue,” he said at a ceremony marking Republic
Day.


One of the areas of this work is the development of transport
links with South Asia. Kazakhstan is exploring a new railway route
through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to Pakistan’s seaports, which
could complement the country’s existing transport corridors and
expand its access to international markets.


On September 30, the ministries of transport of Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan and the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure signed
a memorandum of cooperation on the CASA route project (Kazakhstan -
Uzbekistan - Afghanistan - Pakistan). The parties intend to conduct
technical and economic studies and assess the feasibility of
developing the necessary railway infrastructure. The establishment
of a working group to address technical, economic and financial
issues is also under consideration.


Under the proposed arrangement, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan could
make use of their railway infrastructure and transit potential,
while the UAE could contribute its experience in transport
infrastructure development, logistics and the implementation of
major investment projects.


The cost and implementation timeline for CASA have not yet been
determined, as the project remains under study. The route’s
prospects will depend on its economic feasibility, the availability
of sufficient cargo volumes, financing and transit conditions.
Security along the Afghan section and the coordination of
transportation terms among all countries along the route will also
be important.







Developing the southern route alongside the Middle Corridor
could expand Kazakhstan’s transport links with several major
markets. The route through Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan
could provide access to South Asian markets and Indian Ocean ports,
while the Middle Corridor connects Kazakhstan with Europe via the
Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus. Developing these routes would
allow Kazakh exporters to choose the most suitable options based on
the geography of their shipments and trade requirements.


Germany has also expressed interest in developing Central Asia’s
transport links. The issue was discussed by Kazakh Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin and
German Ambassador Heike Peitsch at a meeting in Astana on October
23. Zhumangarin highlighted the importance of developing the
southern route and diversifying transport corridors. According to
Peitsch, the development of such routes is of interest not only to
Central Asian countries but also to Germany. It was noted that the
region could become an important link between European and Asian
markets. The discussion covered not only railway connections but
also the development of digital communications, gas pipelines and
oil pipelines, which would expand opportunities for trade and
economic cooperation.


Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany received additional
momentum following Tokayev’s visit to Germany on September 29-30,
2026. The parties agreed to expand cooperation in industry, energy,
critical raw materials and transport. Bilateral trade reached $4.5
billion in 2025, an increase of 13.4%, while German investment in
Kazakhstan since 2005 has amounted to $8 billion.


Thus, CASA complements Kazakhstan’s efforts to develop
international transport links. Alongside the Middle Corridor, which
is oriented toward European markets, the southern route could
expand the country’s access to South Asian markets and Indian Ocean
ports. As the project is further assessed, key tasks will include
evaluating its economic viability, determining financing
mechanisms, and coordinating transit conditions. If these issues
are resolved, CASA could expand logistics options for Kazakh
exporters and strengthen the country’s position in the Eurasian
transport system.