ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or Middle Corridor, as a safe, efficient and competitive link between Asia and Europe during a high-level meeting in Beijing.
Kazakhstan and Chinese delegations during the meeting in Beijing. Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service.
First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlybek Nalibayev made the remarks while participating in the Global Sustainable Transport Forum and a high-level meeting on the TITR during his working visit to Beijing on Sept. 23 at the invitation of Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
Nalibayev said Kazakhstan’s strategic goal is to become a major Eurasian transport and logistics hub by developing the East-West and North-South corridors, upgrading border and port infrastructure, and introducing modern multimodal transport services.
He identified the Middle Corridor as a key priority of Kazakhstan’s transport policy. He called for coordinated efforts to make the route safer, more efficient and predictable through competitive tariffs, streamlined procedures and common service standards, according to Kazinform.
China backs greater corridor capacity
China’s Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Shohrat Zakir said Beijing attaches particular importance to the TITR and is ready to work with partners to increase its capacity and efficiency.
He proposed strengthening infrastructure connectivity, harmonizing cross-border transport and customs procedures, developing a digital platform for multimodal transportation and expanding financing and business opportunities along the route.
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev also stressed the need for coordinated infrastructure development and removing bottlenecks, while Kyrgyz Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Erlist Akunbekov highlighted the importance of improving transport access for landlocked Central Asian countries.
Kazakhstan-China cooperation
During the visit, Nalibayev held his first bilateral meeting with Ding Xuexiang, who co-chairs the Kazakhstan-China Cooperation Committee. The officials discussed expanding trade and economic ties, investment, agriculture, high technologies, interregional cooperation and transboundary rivers.
Nalibayev also met with executives of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and CITIC Group to discuss investment in Kazakhstan and joint infrastructure projects, the Prime Minister’s press service reported.
Before the forum, Nalibayev presented CITIC Group Chairman Xi Guohua with Kazakhstan’s Order of Dostyk (Friendship), second degree, on behalf of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The award recognized his contribution to strengthening Kazakhstan-China relations and expanding trade and economic cooperation.
The Global Sustainable Transport Forum brought together around 1,000 representatives of governments, international organizations, diplomatic missions, businesses and expert communities.
