Transport cooperation - The Times Of Central Asia

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AIIB International investment Transport cooperation

AIIB Forwards Construction of Strategic Bridge in Tajikistan

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a loan equivalent to US $75.5 million to Tajikistan for the construction of a 920-meter-long bridge and approach routes on the Obigarm-Nurobod section of M41 International Highway. The bridge is the first of such magnitude in Tajikistan and a critical component of the county’s road network. Linking Corridors 2, 3 and 5 of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program, it will provide essential connections between Tajikistan’s landlocked terrain and neighbouring regional markets. Designed to withstand all weathers, the bridge will connect over 350,000 residents of the northeast region of Tajikistan to the capital Dushanbe, as well as the border of Kyrgyzstan. To align with Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy, the government has prioritized its timely completion and construction of the 75-kilometer Obigarm-Nurobod section has been divided into three phases to ensure synchronized implementation. Illustrative of a collaborative approach to advancing sustainable development and enhancing connectivity in Tajikistan, AIIB has fostered close coordination with other financiers, including the Asian Development Bank, OPEC Fund for International Development and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Lauding the initiative, Konstantin Limitovskiy, AIIB’s Vice President for Investment Operations in Region 2, commented: “The project aligns with two core thematic priorities of AIIB. First, it contributes to cross-border connectivity by establishing vital cross-border links with improved road safety along Tajikistan's essential corridor and ensuring connectivity between regions. Secondly, it embraces green-finance principles by integrating environmentally and socially responsible practices and promoting resilient sustainable mechanisms in the road infrastructure development.”

Bilateral Trade International Cooperation Transport cooperation

Kazakhstan and Singapore Join Forces to Boost Economy and Transport

On 23 May, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s made his first state visit to Singapore to engage in meetings with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam focusing on connectivity, critical raw materials, and economic cooperation. Over 140 Singaporean companies and joint ventures currently operate in Kazakhstan. The country has invested over $1.7 billion in the Kazakh economy and bilateral trade is forecast to exceed $2 billion. Tokayev hailed Singapore as a time-tested and reliable partner of Kazakhstan and in talks with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, expressed confidence that his visit would strengthen bilateral relations. Citing the complementary nature of their countries’ economies, Lawrence Wong stated that Singapore can provide a gateway to further Kazakhstan’s interaction with ASEAN countries and in turn, Kazakhstan can facilitate Singapore's rapprochement with Central Asian countries. Regarding economic and investment cooperation, the parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to expanding joint ventures in green energy, transport and logistics, digitalization, finance, agribusiness, connectivity, e-commerce, and mining and processing of critical minerals. President Tokayev and Prime Minister Wong welcomed the implementation of Alatau City (G4 City); a thousand-kilometer Special Economic Zone to be developed by Kazakhstan with support from Singaporean company Surbana Jurong in the region of Almaty. Tokayev expressed his gratitude to the Singaporean company for developing the comprehensive master plan for the project which he described as a catalyst for boosting both his country’s economy and that of Central Asia. Tokayev and Wong also commended the partnership between Singapore’s PSA International and Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) aimed at increasing the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). A Memorandum was signed by KTZ and PSA to further develop Kazakhstan’s transport and transit potential and an agreement made to increase the volume of cargo transit through Kazakhstan by means of a synergy of their assets in China. Today, KTZ operates railway terminals in China in the dry port of Xi'an and the seaport of Lianyungang. Assets held by PSA include marine terminals in six ports and railway terminals in 13 cities in China. Speaking at the Kazakhstan-Singapore Business Forum later in the day, Tokayev emphasized that because it offers “the shortest and most sustainable route from Central and East Asia to Europe,” TITR has the potential to radically enhance Eurasian cooperation. The Kazakh president outlined promising areas of cooperation between the two countries, and announcing Kazakhstan's readiness to supply critical raw materials and natural resources to Singapore, stated: “Considering that global demand for rare metals will quadruple by 2040, Kazakhstan, which has approximately 5,000 unexplored deposits, can become a reliable partner for the joint development of this potential. We have high hopes for long-term cooperation with the Indorama company, which is interested in exploring copper and phosphate deposits in Kazakhstan.” Tokayev also called on Singaporean companies to expand partnerships in the production of clean energy and the transfer of technology and expertise.

Transport and Logistics Transport cooperation

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Boost Transport Cooperation

On May 11, Ministers of Transport of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Marat Karabaev and Ilkhom Makhkamov signed a Road Map for strategic cooperation in transport and logistics for 2024-2025. During the meeting in Astana, the ministers discussed the development of international transport corridors, rail and road transportation, and joint projects relating to the construction of a transport infrastructure. High on the agenda, were the joint implementation of the construction of the Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan railway and the collaborative development of the multimodal transport corridor Belarus – Russia – Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan. With reference to accelerating transportation through the digitalization of cargo documentation, the parties lauded the introduction of the ‘E-permit’ system of electronic exchange of permit forms between the two countries. The Kazakh side welcomed Uzbekistan’s plans to build the Termez – Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul - Peshawar railway and confirming his country’s readiness to participate in the project, Marat Karabaev stated, “The implementation of the project will contribute to the development of regional connectivity and trade for the countries of Central Asia, giving them access to the major sea ports of the South Asian region.” The parties also reported that work is now underway on a new railway line between Darbaza and Maktaaral, which will increase the throughput capacity between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan by a further 10 million tons. The Kazakh minister noted that the volume of export-import transportation between the two countries by road increased by 6% over the past year and amounted to 1.8 million tons.

China CRK terminal Transport cooperation Transport and Logistics Kazakhstan Russia

Kazakhstan, Russia and China Create New Transport Hub

Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Russia’s Slavtrans-Service JSC, and China’s Xian Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd have begun construction on a new transport and logistics center, CRK Terminal, at Selyatino station in the Moscow region. The new logistics hub is designed to develop direct transport links between the Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi'an (China), Russia and other countries. In 2023 the volume of cargo transported by rail between China and Russia through Kazakhstan amounted to 3.8 million tons, an increase of 35% compared to 2022. In the first quarter of 2024, transit traffic along the China-Russia-China route remained at a stable 0.9 million tons.

Kazakhstan Armenia Mutual trade Transport cooperation

Kazakhstan and Armenia Negotiate on Trade and Transport Cooperation

Following negotiations on 15 April in Yerevan, with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that with regard to furthering cooperation, the countries enjoy “unshakable friendship and mutual support.” With reference to developing a more comprehensive partnership, he cited their common goals as expanding and activating bilateral ties, and strengthening regional and international security. Negotiations also focused on enhancing cooperation in economic and investment and the Kazakh president reported, “We - both agreed - that it is necessary to look for new directions that will give impetus to the growth of trade turnover. Kazakhstan is ready to increase its exports to Armenia to $350 million.” Tokayev stressed that development of the transport and logistics sector is key to strengthening Kazakh-Armenian cooperation and hailed Armenia’s readiness to restore transit communications in the South Caucasus under the ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative. Aimed at developing communications between Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran, the Armenian-proposed initiative includes renovating, building, and operating roads, railways, pipelines, cables, and electricity lines. In addition, the Kazakh president welcomed proposals for the operation of direct flights between the countries’ capitals and other cities. Pashinyan likewise emphasized the significant headway made during the negotiations, saying, “We have identified further prospects for strengthening our cooperation, including - transport and logistics. We agree that despite the constant growth in trade turnover, there is still unrealized potential for the development of trade and economic cooperation.”

Finland Transport cooperation Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan and Finland to Collaborate on Rail Transportation

KTZ Express JSC (a subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy) and Finnish Nurminen Logistics Services Oy, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for container transportation from China to Finland along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) through the Kazakhstan. At a meeting of the Kazakh-Finnish intergovernmental commission on April 11 in Astana, Deputy Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Maksat Kaliakparov emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation and development of transit opportunities between the two countries regarding trade between China and Southeast Asian countries and the European Union: “Kazakhstan is the main link in the TITR, or the Middle Corridor, and has already shown potential as an alternative to East – West routes. This is evidenced by an 86% increase in cargo transhipment through the seaports of Aktau and Kuryk, the volume of which rose to 2.8 million tons. The TITR is a ‘green-light’ corridor. Today, the cargo transit time has been reduced from 23 to 14-18 days, including 5 days in Kazakhstan. In 2023, the volume of cargo transportation along the TITR increased by 65%.” To illustrate the potential for cargo transportation between Kazakhstan and the EU, Kaliakparov reported a steady rise in the transportation of cargo through Kazakhstan along the China-Finland-China route. Compared to the previous year, in 2023, the volume of cargo transported by rail increased by 25% (4.3 million tons), and by road, by 14% (7.3 million tons).