ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 12. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic infrastructure initiatives to position itself as a major transit hub linking Asia and Europe at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports.
Expressing gratitude to the Organization of Turkic States for hosting the event and to Türkiye for its warm hospitality in his address, he announced that Kazakhstan is investing $8 billion in the development of new roads and railways to modernize its transport network and improve regional connectivity.
“A significant part of this strategy includes expanding Kazakhstan’s maritime capabilities on the Caspian Sea. With 17 vessels currently in operation, the fleet is set to double as 17 additional ships are scheduled to be added in the coming years,” said Karabayev.
Karabayev also emphasized Kazakhstan’s active cooperation with neighboring countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye, on a range of joint infrastructure initiatives.
“These projects are focused on increasing the capacity of the Middle Corridor—a key trade route connecting East and West - through digitalization of border processes and new railway links, such as the Makhtaaral line, which is expected to boost freight capacity by 20 million tons,” added the Minister of Transport.
Looking ahead, the Minister reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s goal to handle 15 million tons of cargo by 2030, underlining the importance of sustained regional collaboration to meet this target.
According to him, these wide-ranging developments reflect
Kazakhstan’s strategic vision to boost trade, energy exports, and
digital connectivity across Eurasia, solidifying its position as a
central player in the region’s transport and logistics
landscape.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an annual international gathering
held in Antalya, Türkiye, aiming to foster dialogue and cooperation
among global leaders on pressing international issues. Established
in 2021, the forum has grown in prominence, attracting
representatives from numerous countries and international
organizations.