Kazakhstan Aims to Be Top Eurasia Logistics Hub With New Infrastructure Projects

Kazakhstan is embarking on a significant expansion of its transport infrastructure, aiming to solidify its position as a crucial logistics hub bridging Europe and Asia. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the launch of the Beineu–Saksaulsk highway construction and the expansion of two other major road corridors during a teleconference on Aug. 3.

These projects are designed to enhance domestic connectivity and significantly boost transit capacity. The new Aral-Caspian Highway, as proposed by Tokayev, will directly link border checkpoints with China to Caspian ports, cutting freight routes between China and Europe by nearly 1,000 kilometers. This is expected to shave up to three days off delivery times, a critical factor in global supply chains.

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Our main goal is to transform Kazakhstan into one of the leading logistics hubs connecting Europe and Asia.

Beyond just roads, Kazakhstan's strategy involves creating an integrated transport network to support growing Eurasian trade. The announced projects, including the Kyzylorda–Saksaulsk and Ulgaysyn–Saksaulsk highways, will add 774 kilometers of improved infrastructure. Domestic companies will spearhead this construction, generating over 10,000 jobs. Annual freight volumes along the corridor are projected to increase 2.5-fold to 13.2 million tons upon completion.

President Tokayev emphasized that these developments will not only benefit the national economy and tourism but also improve the welfare of citizens. He instructed that all projects must be completed by 2029. The road initiatives are part of a larger plan to make transport a primary growth sector for Kazakhstan, which saw a 6% increase in freight transportation last year, with road transport being a particularly fast-growing segment.

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Undoubtedly, these projects will contribute to the development of the national economy and tourism, as well as to improving the welfare of the population. Each of these projects is seamlessly integrated into the transportation system of Kazakhstan. The historically established vertical transportation networks are now complemented by horizontal connections.