Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Could Increase Kazakhstan’s GDP by 2.2%
The development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, could increase Kazakhstan’s GDP by 2.2% and employment by 3.2% in the long term. These estimates are presented by the World Bank in its new report on the development of the corridor.
To unlock the corridor’s potential, Kazakhstan will require around $11.5 billion in investment, accounting for approximately 21% of the total investment needed to develop the route. The funding will be directed, among other areas, towards the modernisation of railways, ports and access roads, as well as the development of logistics hubs, terminals and digital infrastructure.
According to the World Bank, under a high-development scenario, cargo volumes through the Caspian Sea could reach 32 million tonnes by 2040, compared with 8.8 million tonnes in 2023. The share of cargo handled through Kazakhstani ports could increase from 67% to around 82%.
Further development of the Middle Corridor, however, will depend not only on infrastructure. Key priorities include reducing border delays, harmonising documentation, coordinating railway and port operations, and establishing an integrated digital transport system. These measures are particularly important for increasing container traffic and attracting higher-value cargo.
For Kazakhstan, the development of the TITR is becoming part of a broader transport and logistics strategy. According to the Government of Kazakhstan, freight volumes along the Trans-Caspian route have increased 5.6-fold over the past five years — from 800,000 to 4.5 million tonnes. The capacity of Kazakhstan’s seaports is also planned to increase from the current 21.8 million tonnes to 30 million tonnes by 2030.
These developments are creating new opportunities for Kazakhstan’s transport and logistics sector — from infrastructure and freight transportation to digital solutions and international cooperation.
These issues will also be discussed at SCALEX Astana 2027, an international platform focused on the development of transport, logistics and international trade routes. SCALEX will bring together industry representatives to discuss Kazakhstan’s transit potential, infrastructure development, logistics digitalisation and new opportunities for business.