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Kazakh President: The volumes of transportations via Middle Corridor may increase fivefold

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan

01 September 2023 12:58 (UTC +04:00)

The Trans-Caspian Route is called to play an important role in strengthening our transit potential. In a short-term outlook, the volumes of transportations via this corridor may increase fivefold. For this we need to join efforts with partner countries – China, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye,” President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said presenting his annual address to the nation at the joint session of the Parliament chambers today, APA reports citing Kazinform.

"Today we witness the formation of a new economic geography of the world. A rapid growth of trade flows from China to Europe, Russia, Central Asia and back is forecast. Kazakhstan is located at the intersection of roads connecting the global North and South, East and West. This is our serious advantage which opens new horizons. The transport and logistics sector must become one of the engines of the country’s economic development. Amid active competition, we have to promptly solve the key problems of this sector,” said Tokayev.

First of all, as the Head of State emphasized the need to implement a number of large railroad projects, such as Dostyk-Moiynty, Bakhty-Ayagoz, Darbaza-Maktaaral and Almaty bypass line. Kazakhstan will continue cooperating with Russia and China in transport sphere, he said.

“The Trans-Caspian Route is called to play an important role in strengthening our transit potential. In a short-term outlook, the volumes of transportations via this corridor may increase fivefold. For this we need to join efforts with partner countries – China, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye,” he stressed.

As he pointed out, a new dry port must be built at Bakhty checkpoint. The construction of a container hub in Aktau must be accelerated, port capacities on the Black Sea along the Middle Corridor must be expanded. The construction of Kazakhstani terminals in China’s Xi’an and Georgia’s Poti port has been launched.

“These are the real examples of the synergy of China’s Belt&Road mega project with our national initiatives. The implementation of the transport potential depends on our constructive and good-neighbour relations with all surrounding countries, including Russia, China, and our neighbours in Central and Southern Asia,” said the President.