Mariyam Ismailova | 11.11.2025
Why does Kazakhstan Matter in the New Silk Road?
The “New Silk Road” is a global infrastructure program that was created in 2013 to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through railways. Kazakhstan plays a crucial role because of its geographical position; it’s the centre of Eurasia, connecting China and Europe by land, which is known as the middle corridor. Also, it matters because of its infrastructure and economic value.
The Trans Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which is also known as the Middle Corridor, is one of the most significant and central trade routes that connects China and Europe. The route starts in China, then it passes through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and finishes in Europe. In 2023, over 2.7 million tons of goods were transported, which was an 86% increase compared to 2022. The northern corridor through Russia became less reliable as the Russia-Ukraine conflict started. As a result, the middle corridor developed from a backup route into a primary route for countries seeking more secure trade. Kazakhstan quickly saw the opportunity. By using the middle corridor, it could both increase regional trade and reduce reliance on routes through Russia. In 2022, 1.5 million tons of goods were transported through the middle corridor, while the northern corridor’s exports fell by 34%. The middle corridor is a shorter, faster and better route that decreases the journey between China and Europe from 19 days to only 12 days. It’s also 3000km shorter than the northern route. In 2023, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia signed a trilateral agreement to form a joint logistics company with its main office located at the Astana International Financial Centre. By early 2025, Turkey was expected to join the Middle Corridor Multimodal, a company that will set tariffs and coordinate operations. With an additional €18.5 billion, the EU decided to fund €10 billion for transport projects in Kazakhstan and other countries in Central Asia in January 2024. The funding will improve cities like Altai and Kursk, as well as roads and railways. According to the World Bank, the Middle Corridor will be able to transport 10 or 11 million tonnes of goods annually by 2030. Also, Kazakhstan plays a key role, as it is an exporter of agricultural goods and raw materials.
Due to Kazakhstan’s growing international partnerships and role in the Belt and Road Initiative, its economy is rapidly growing. Gulnar Shaimergenova of the China Studies Centre says that Kazakhstan-China relations reached new heights, for example, visa-free travel, university partnerships, and the Khorgos gateway, are all representations of growing infrastructure and trade partnership. Over 2500km of railways and 12500km of roads have already been improved by the BRI, boosting local economies and creating jobs in Kazakhstan. Analysts estimate that Kazakhstan’s handling of about 34 million tonnes of goods per year might triple to 100 million tonnes by 2030. Moreover, foreign investment (FDI) is growing. According to UN ESCAP, FDI reached $12.7billion in 2024, with a huge 88% increase in new projects that are worth $15.7billion. China, Qatar and the EU are the main investors that fund infrastructure, automotive, and energy projects. Kazakhstan improved more than 13000km of roads and 6000km of railways, expanded terminals like Aktau, and established new air routes to Europe and Asia.
Sources:
https://en.orda.kz/kazakhstan-becoming-a-major-eurasian-logistics-hub-forecasts-show-6964/
https://astanatimes.com/2025/03/kazakhstan-reports-growth-in-foreign-investment-in-2024/
https://timesca.com/the-middle-corridor-how-kazakhstan-is-carving-its-niche-in-europe-asia-transport/
https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn
The Trans Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which is also known as the Middle Corridor, is one of the most significant and central trade routes that connects China and Europe. The route starts in China, then it passes through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and finishes in Europe. In 2023, over 2.7 million tons of goods were transported, which was an 86% increase compared to 2022. The northern corridor through Russia became less reliable as the Russia-Ukraine conflict started. As a result, the middle corridor developed from a backup route into a primary route for countries seeking more secure trade. Kazakhstan quickly saw the opportunity. By using the middle corridor, it could both increase regional trade and reduce reliance on routes through Russia. In 2022, 1.5 million tons of goods were transported through the middle corridor, while the northern corridor’s exports fell by 34%. The middle corridor is a shorter, faster and better route that decreases the journey between China and Europe from 19 days to only 12 days. It’s also 3000km shorter than the northern route. In 2023, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia signed a trilateral agreement to form a joint logistics company with its main office located at the Astana International Financial Centre. By early 2025, Turkey was expected to join the Middle Corridor Multimodal, a company that will set tariffs and coordinate operations. With an additional €18.5 billion, the EU decided to fund €10 billion for transport projects in Kazakhstan and other countries in Central Asia in January 2024. The funding will improve cities like Altai and Kursk, as well as roads and railways. According to the World Bank, the Middle Corridor will be able to transport 10 or 11 million tonnes of goods annually by 2030. Also, Kazakhstan plays a key role, as it is an exporter of agricultural goods and raw materials.
Due to Kazakhstan’s growing international partnerships and role in the Belt and Road Initiative, its economy is rapidly growing. Gulnar Shaimergenova of the China Studies Centre says that Kazakhstan-China relations reached new heights, for example, visa-free travel, university partnerships, and the Khorgos gateway, are all representations of growing infrastructure and trade partnership. Over 2500km of railways and 12500km of roads have already been improved by the BRI, boosting local economies and creating jobs in Kazakhstan. Analysts estimate that Kazakhstan’s handling of about 34 million tonnes of goods per year might triple to 100 million tonnes by 2030. Moreover, foreign investment (FDI) is growing. According to UN ESCAP, FDI reached $12.7billion in 2024, with a huge 88% increase in new projects that are worth $15.7billion. China, Qatar and the EU are the main investors that fund infrastructure, automotive, and energy projects. Kazakhstan improved more than 13000km of roads and 6000km of railways, expanded terminals like Aktau, and established new air routes to Europe and Asia.
Sources:
https://en.orda.kz/kazakhstan-becoming-a-major-eurasian-logistics-hub-forecasts-show-6964/
https://astanatimes.com/2025/03/kazakhstan-reports-growth-in-foreign-investment-in-2024/
https://timesca.com/the-middle-corridor-how-kazakhstan-is-carving-its-niche-in-europe-asia-transport/
https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn
