ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 19. Kazakhstan and Türkiye will create a joint committee for the development of combined cargo transportation, including within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Trend reports.
The corresponding draft Law on the ratification of the Agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Türkiye on international combined cargo transportation was presented at a meeting of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan by Vice Minister of Transport Satzhan Ablaliev.
The draft law is aimed at simplifying cargo transportation using various modes of transport and developing trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Türkiye. Ratification of the agreement will increase the volume of cargo transportation between the two countries by road, rail, and water transport.
According to Satzhan Ablaliev, the document provides for regular rail-ferry operations on the Caspian Sea, the provision of appropriate connections and transit services on railway lines connecting states, in particular for international container block trains, and also determines the conditions for the transportation of goods between the two countries, taking into account the rules of customs clearance.
"We are currently working to reduce the delivery time of goods from China to Europe through the combined Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. It involves rail, road, and water transport. Already today, the delivery time for cargo and delivery of goods along the route has been reduced to 19–23 days, of which 6 days are across the territory of Kazakhstan. This is two times faster than last year. This agreement will affect the development of TITR," he said.
Ablaliev also noted that to resolve all issues related to the implementation of the agreement, a Joint Committee for Transportation Development will be created. Its main task will be to increase the speed and quality of transit transportation.
The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.
The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye before reaching Europe.
The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.