ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 27. Kazakhstan and China see positive results from the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), said Deputy Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Maksat Kaliakparov, Trend reports.
He made the remark during the exporters forum and the trade and economic cooperation conference themed 'China (Sichuan)-Kazakhstan 2024'.
"We are observing positive results in the development of TITR: at the end of 2023, the volume of railway freight transportation between Kazakhstan and China amounted to more than 28.3 million tons. Growth: 22 percent. This is a positive factor. But, on the other hand, there is an increased demand for logistics services. Therefore, we are making efforts to further develop railway communications between our countries," he said.
According to Kaliakparov, construction of second tracks continues on the Dostyk-Moyynty railway section.
"In November 2023, construction of a railway line began in the Almary region, bypassing the Almaty station, which will reduce the load on the Almaty by 40 percent and significantly reduce the delivery time of goods. In October last year, the countries signed a memorandum on the project for the construction of the Ayagoz-Tachen railway, and construction work on laying the railway to the Bakhty checkpoint continues. Work is also underway to open the 3rd railway checkpoint, Bakhty-Pokitu," the deputy minister said.
The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.
The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye before reaching Europe.
The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.