Kazakhstan, Astana / Trend corr K. Arynova / Development of multi-vector water and land export sectors will favourably affect Kazakhstan's economy. It promotes an increase in the transit potential of the country, transport experts of Kazakhstan said.
Delivering a report on the current CIS situation at the international economic forum in Saint-Petersburg, the Kazakhstan President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, stated that although Central Asia has reach in energy resources, it has not unimpeded access to European markets. Establishment of alterative transport routes is necessary for this purpose. He noted that economic factors will play a major role in defining transportation routes.
Nazarbayev suggested implementation of a project on construction of a new navigation canal linking the Caspian Sea and the Sea of Azov.
According to Kazakhstan experts, the canal will not affect the project to construct the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway and the possibility of Kazakhstan's participation in the project.
"The routes are complementary. Those who deliberated whether to take part in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project or not, after the statement on construction of the ' Eurasia' navigation canal should only liven up," the experts noted.