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Construction of the new international terminal of Almaty Airport is now 87% complete and is scheduled to begin operations in June of this year, the President of the Istanbul-based TAV Airports Holding, Serkan Kaptan stated during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov. The area of the new terminal – initially scheduled to open in August 2024 - will be twice as large as the current building, and will cover 55,000 square meters. Smailov emphasized that the construction of the new international terminal in Almaty is of strategic importance. "We expect that its opening will significantly increase passenger traffic, expand the geography of flights, and provide residents and guests of the metropolis with quality services and a high level of comfort," the Prime Minister stated, as reported by his press service on January 18th. The existing terminal will only be used for domestic flights in the future. At the same time, the potential of both terminals will reach 14 million passengers per year, whilst the volume of cargo traffic passing through Almaty Airport planned to reach 100,000 tons. The Prime Minister added that Almaty Airport should be developed as a fully-fledged multi-modal transport and logistics hub with the inclusion of rail and road transportation, and the investor should take this into account in future plans. TAV Airports is now the beneficial owner of 85% of Almaty Airport and its associated fuel and catering businesses, with Kazakhstan Infrastructure Fund, managed by VPE Capital and backed by Kazyna Capital Management holding the remaining 15% stake. Kazakhstan’s main aviation gateway and the flagship carrier Air Astana’s base, Almaty Airport is an important junction on the modern Silk Road. TAV has said it is investing around US $200 million to increase the airport’s capacity to 14 million passengers.
Over the next two years, 317 kilometers of international highways will be put into operation in Tajikistan, confirmed representatives of the Ministry of Transport. In 2024, Tajikistan will continue implementing projects for the reconstruction of highways, with the construction of 32 bridges, 5 tunnels with a length of 11.2 km and 7 avalanche corridors aiming to turn the country into an international transit route. "Special attention will be paid to the reconstruction of the Guliston-Kulyab (32.5 km), Dangara-Guliston (49.2 km), Guliston-Farkhor (40 km), and Bokhtar-Levakant-Dangara (40 km) highways," the ministry stressed. Earlier, at a meeting of the heads of transport departments of Central Asia, it was agreed to create the conditions for the development of the transport industry, Transport Minister of Tajikistan, Azim Ibrohim stated. The improvement of transport and logistics is aimed at strengthening trade between the countries of the region. The parties also approved a draft agreement on improving the connectivity of land transport to create new transport corridors in Central Asia, which will be signed during the meeting of the heads of the state.
On December 19th, 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted two resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan: “Strengthening connections between all modes of transport to achieve sustainable development goals,” and “The key role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in ensuring sustainable development." The resolution on transport was co-sponsored by 47 states, and the resolution on energy connectivity by 38 countries, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry stated. The document on cooperation in the transport sector proclaims 2026-2035 as the Decade of Sustainable Transport. The authors of the resolution invited the UN Secretary-General to continue international dialogue in this area and consider convening the Third UN Global Conference on Sustainable Transport. According to the document, the main events within the framework of the World Sustainable Transport Day in November 2024 will take place in Turkmenistan. The document on energy connectivity, meanwhile, provides for the consolidation of efforts by the international community to overcome the energy crisis facing the world, and calls for efforts to ensure the reliability and stability of cross-border supplies of energy resources. According to this document, it was proposed that the forum, “Sustainable Energy for All,” aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goals to ensure access to reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, be held in Turkmenistan in 2026.
To tackle the identified bottlenecks within the Trans-Caspian corridor, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on December 27th its commitment to providing financial support for the enhancement of modern logistical infrastructure. The bank's loan, amounting to up to U$ 40 million, is intended for Kazakhstan’s principal private rolling stock operator, Eastcomtrans. This support aims to bolster the operator's container handling capacity, specifically targeting one of the busiest junctions near Almaty city, thereby ensuring the continuous operation of its railway fleet. Eastcomtrans, an EBRD client since 2014 and the possessor of 8% of the nation’s total rolling stock, will utilize the allocated funds, available in both US dollars and Kazakh tenge, to further advance its Zhetygen logistical center. The investment will also facilitate the acquisition of approximately 250 new railcars and the maintenance of its existing stock. Located in close proximity to the Chinese border and adjacent to Kazakhstan's largest urban area, this upgraded logistical hub will function as a pivotal point along the Trans-Caspian Corridor. It is poised to enhance the smooth flow of cargo traffic across Kazakhstan. Anticipating a surge in trade volumes, especially in container traffic between Asia and Europe, the hub's development aims to accommodate the escalating demand for freight transit.
