BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5. The World Bank is actively engaged in discussions with the government of Kazakhstan to determine how best to support the ongoing development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Andrei Mikhnev, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
As Mikhnev noted, the geopolitical shifts, including the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, have increased risks but also presented opportunities for Kazakhstan as a crucial link in the Middle Corridor, enhancing its role in connecting Asia and Europe.
"Kazakhstan can capitalize on such an opportunity by diversifying trade routes and reducing its reliance on a limited number of partners like Russia and China. The Middle Corridor offers a strategic alternative for trade, potentially increasing the resilience of Kazakhstan's trade and opening up access to new markets in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia," he said.
Andrei Mikhnev pointed out that the World Bank recognizes the transformative potential of the Middle Corridor for Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
"By fostering production agglomerations, these countries can not only increase their export volumes by an estimated 90 million tons by 2030 (with 70 million tons accounting for additional exports from Kazakhstan) but also enhance the value of their exports. This shift towards more complex products and integrated logistics solutions is expected to drive economic development and create higher-value industries," he said.
In his view, to fulfill this potential, it is essential for the countries along the Middle Corridor to continue investing in infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades.
"A Roadmap has been adopted to guide the expansion of capacity along the corridor. The World Bank has contributed to this effort by producing a report titled “Unlocking the Potential of the Middle Corridor” with recommendations on enhancing port and railway connectivity, increasing operational efficiency, and adapting to environmental challenges like the falling level of the Caspian Sea. We are actively engaged in discussions with the government of Kazakhstan to determine how best to support the ongoing development of the Middle Corridor," the country manager concluded.
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.