The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), a consortium of Tez Zhol and Zhagalmai, and DemirBank have signed agreements to build and maintain a bypass road around the town of Uzgen in the Osh region of southern Kyrgyzstan. According to EDB’s press office, the project aims to develop the road sector and improve connectivity in the Osh
The Special Representative of Uzbekistan’s President, Ismatullah Irgashev, and the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Makhkamov, arrived in Kabul on May 12, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported. During a meeting with the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate (the Taliban administration of Afghanistan), Ilkhom Makhkamov stated that Uzbekistan supports the Islamic Emirate’s
Since the beginning of this year, about 70 thousand women have used the service of traveling in “women’s carriages” in trains of Kazakhstan’s national railways company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. This figure has doubled compared to the same period last year — more than 34 thousand women, the company’s press service reported. Since the introduction of
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on May 2 said it is contributing to the development of sustainable transport connections in Central Asia by financing the upgrade and expansion of a key transportation route in Uzbekistan. The EBRD’s sovereign loan of up to US$ 238 million (€224 million) will help rehabilitate around 81 km of
Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has announced that the issues of organizing the launch of an international tourist passenger train from China’s Xi’an to Almaty were discussed during a working meeting of the heads of NC KTZ JSC, Passenger Transportation JSC and a delegation of the government of Xi’an (PRC). The tourist
A Kazakh delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin this week visited Afghanistan to discuss cooperation in regional transport projects. The Kazakh side announced its readiness to participate in projects for the development of the trans-Afghan corridor: the construction of the Termez – Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar and Herat – Kandahar – Spin
Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on April 17 opened a section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway linking the cities of Tejen and Mary in southeastern Turkmenistan. According to the State News Agency of Turkmenistan, the construction of the 600-kilometers-long Ashgabat-Turkmenabat highway started in January 2019. The highway will consist of three sections: Ashgabat-Tejen (203 kilometers), Tejen-Mary
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin on April 8 held a meeting with the Secretary of Railways of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Syed Ali Shah. During the negotiations, the Pakistani side outlined the ongoing efforts to attract foreign investors for rehabilitation and expansion of the country’s railway networks. Syed Ali Shah expressed
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin held a meeting last week with the Secretary of the Ministry of Communications of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Ali Sher Mehsud. During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for cooperation in the transport and logistics sector taking into account the North-South corridor being established, for
The Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Italy, Taalai Bazarbayev took part in a recent event organized by the Italian Senate jointly with the Italian Institute for Cooperation with Asia (ISIA) on the topic “Middle Corridor: A secure transit route between Italy, Azerbaijan and Central Asia.” The event was attended by deputies of the Italian
On March 11, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Azerbaijan on a state visit. In Baku, Tokayev held talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev. The two leaders also participated in the first meeting of the Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Tokayev and Aliyev also took part via a teleconference in the ceremony of
On February 29, in the Chinese city of Chongqing, Kazakhstan’s national railways company KTZ and the logistics platform Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd signed an agreement on the organization and dispatch of 200 container trains through Kazakhstan, including along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, with a cargo volume of more than 20 thousand 20-foot equivalent
Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister during his visit to Turkmenistan said that Afghanistan can now use the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, which would connect Afghan trade to Europe, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported. Amir Khan Muttaqi discussed a number of trade and diplomatic issues with Turkmenistan officials, including the TAPI gas pipeline project and the railway from Turkmenistan
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will help Kyrgyzstan’s government bodies replace their motor transport with electric vehicles. The project, to be implemented through KOICA grant funds, was discussed during a recent meeting between the Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, Daniyar Amangeldiev and the Director of the KOICA office in the Kyrgyz
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on February 14 said it has invested $41.99 million into shares of Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier, Air Astana, supporting the country’s first partial privatisation through an initial public offering (IPO). The EBRD’s investment represents a 5 per cent shareholding in Air Astana. The shares will be listed on both the London
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent economic sanctions imposed by the west have underlined the urgency of finding alternative trade routes between Europe and Asia that do not pass through Russia. In the new geopolitical realities, Kazakhstan has a good chance to become the main and most sustainable transit route between Europe and Asia. In
Ambassador of Kazakhstan Viktor Temirbayev on February 6 visited the largest city of Northeastern Bulgaria and the “maritime capital” of the country – Varna. During the meeting with the Mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, the parties noted the important role of interregional cooperation in the progressive development of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, and also
The Global Gateway Investors Forum in Brussels on January 29-30 marks a pivotal moment in EU-Central Asia relations, particularly in enhancing transport connectivity. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis’ announcement of €10 billion in investments underscores a commitment to sustainable development in Central Asia. With a focus on transforming the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, the
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity opened on January 29 in Brussels, bringing together high-level representatives from the European Commission, EU Member States, Central Asia and Caucasus countries, and Türkiye. At the forum, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and international financial institutions will commit €10 billion in support and investments
Residents of Kyrgyzstan’s capital city of Bishkek will have access to greener public transport and better services thanks to new buses financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The project is part of the Green Cities programme designed to address environmental challenges and invest in sustainable municipal infrastructure, the EBRD said. Bishkek on January
