Transport sector may become a new growth point in Kazakhstan’s economy – Prime Minister Smailov
Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov says that logistics should become a new growth point of the country’s economy in the nearest outlook. He said it during an interview with 24KZ, Kazinform News Agency reports.
According to him, 13 international corridors including five railroad and eight motor road corridors run through the territory of Kazakhstan, with the total volume of transit transportations surged by 21% up to 30 million tons in 2023.
He reminded of the beginning of construction of four new railroad lines in Kazakhstan.
Namely, last week, the country proceeded to the construction of the Bakhty-Ayagoz railroad line towards China. This project is predicted to double the capacity of transportations between Kazakhstan and China – from 28 million to 48 million tons, and reduce the load on the southern checkpoints and attract additional transit volumes.
Another project is Darbaza-Maktaaral line aimed at expanding the transit potential between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and ensuring access to the Persian Gulf and India.
The third project - Almaty rail bypass – will let reduce the time of goods delivery and lessen the burden on Almaty station.
The ongoing construction of the second track on the Dostyk-Moiynty (over 800 kilometers) section will let boost the capacity fivefold and increase the speed of container trains towards China.
According to him, in the past 30 years, Kazakhstan has built 2,500 kilometers of railroads, and plans to build 1,300 kilometers in the nearest 3-4 years.
Speaking on maritime transport development, Alikhan Smailov reminded of the measures aimed at boosting the transportations through the Aktau and Kuryk sea ports, with a new container hub to be built in Aktau and a grain terminal launched in Kuryk. The construction of Sarzha multifunctional terminal is underway as well, he noted.
In his words, 11,000 kilometers of roads are under construction and reconstruction countrywide, which will let boost the volumes of transport services.
Alongside, Kazakhstan continues the joint work with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, he said.
Together with them, we signed the relevant roadmaps to eliminate the bottlenecks throughout this corridor both in the Caspian ports and on the railroads in Azerbaijan, Georgia and, correspondingly, in Türkiye. This work is underway, he said.
