KAZAKHSTAN: Kazakhstan and China are embarking on a new project, further strengthening their economic and transportation ties. The two nations have announced their collaboration on the construction of a third cross-border railway, connecting the Kazakh city of Ayagoz to China’s Tacheng. The agreement was formally signed between the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the State Committee for Development and Reform of the People’s Republic of China.
Marat Karabayev, the Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, revealed the details of this project. The memorandum outlines plan for the construction of a railway line and a third railway checkpoint between Kazakhstan and China. This new infrastructure is expected to facilitate smoother and more efficient trade and transportation between the two countries.
Mr. Karabayev stated, “There are now two railway checkpoints with a capacity of 28 million tons. This year we expect them to be at full capacity. Now it is necessary to develop new capacity between our country and China. Therefore, with the commissioning of the third railway checkpoint, the volume of transportation between Kazakhstan and China by rail will reach 50 million tons.”
Additionally, under the memorandum, plans have been made to construct terminal facilities in the border area, further streamlining the movement of goods and people between the two nations. In a further boost to their partnership, the governments of Kazakhstan and China have also reached an agreement on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), known as the Middle Corridor. This agreement is set to enhance regional and international trade connectivity and is expected to have far-reaching economic implications for both countries.
The construction of the Ayagoz-Tacheng railway and the development of the Middle Corridor hold the promise of expanding trade opportunities, strengthening economic cooperation, and further solidifying the strong ties between Kazakhstan and China.
