At the session of the Government chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the progress of forming cross-border hubs was reviewed within the framework of the President’s instructions to establish Kazakhstan as a key logistics hub of Eurasia. Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev reported on the current status of project implementation and infrastructure development.

In accordance with the Head of State’s directive and the Concept for the Development of Transport and Logistics Potential until 2030, work is underway in five key areas. The priority is the creation of basic infrastructure and the attraction of investments for industrial cooperation with neighbouring countries.

According to Arman Shakkaliyev, organisational arrangements across all hubs have been completed to date: managing companies have been designated, pools of investment projects have been formed, and operating conditions have been agreed.

On the border with Uzbekistan, near the “Atameken” and “Gulistan” checkpoints, the International Centre for Industrial Cooperation “Central Asia” is being established and has been assigned the status of a subzone of the Special Economic Zone “TURAN”. Construction is being implemented in two phases. Under the first phase, infrastructure development on an area of 100 hectares will be completed by the end of the current year. Eight production buildings have been constructed. Work is underway on internal roads, external utilities, and access routes.

For the second phase, seven investment projects totalling 185.1 billion tenge have been identified. The creation of 1,150 jobs is planned in the production of PVC, drip irrigation systems, and deep processing of agricultural products. The launch of the Centre in 2026 will increase trade turnover with Uzbekistan to USD 10 billion over a five-year period.

On the Russian direction, the “Eurasia” Cross-Border Trade Centre (West Kazakhstan Region) is already operating. The regional akimat has planned the implementation of 16 projects for the production of building materials, furniture, glass, equipment for the oil and gas sector, and for the recycling of tyres, rubber, plastics and catalysts totalling approximately 140 billion tenge. Three projects worth 11.2 billion tenge are already being implemented: an asphalt concrete plant, reinforced concrete production, and tyre recycling. External infrastructure works have been completed, and internal network design is underway.

The key node in the east is the Khorgos cluster, which includes the SEZ “ICBC Khorgos” and the SEZ “Khorgos – Eastern Gate”. Within the territory of the ICBC, 41 projects worth 234.4 billion tenge are being implemented, eight of which have already been commissioned. Thirty-three projects are under implementation with completion expected by 2027.

“The Khorgos cluster is a key factor strengthening mutual trade with China. Within the SEZ ‘Khorgos – Eastern Gate,’ thirty-two projects with a total investment volume of 848.6 billion tenge are currently being implemented, and more than five thousand jobs will be created. Major projects include the Kazakhstan–China International Industrial City and the construction of the SkyHansa cargo-passenger airport,” Arman Shakkaliyev noted.

For the development of the Caspian node, two strategic projects are being implemented in the SEZ “Aktau Sea Port”.

• Container Hub (Aktau Port): investment volume — 47.6 billion tenge. The first complex was launched in July 2025, and the second will be completed by the end of the year. The design capacity by 2026 will reach 240,000 TEU.
• Sarzha Terminal (Kuryk Port): private investment by “Semurg Invest” totals 98 billion tenge. The general cargo terminal and temporary storage facility have already been commissioned.

On the border with Kyrgyzstan, an Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex (ITLC) is being formed. The managing company “ROMSEY HOLDINGS KZ” has assembled a pool of 18 projects totalling USD 385.2 million in the fields of industry, trade and medicine. The expansion of the complex’s territory from 50 to 150 hectares is planned, with its subsequent transformation into a Special Economic Zone. Launch is scheduled for 2026.

“We are entering the active phase of investment project implementation. The focus is on the practical launch of production facilities and new formats of cooperation. The operation of these hubs will increase the volume of non-raw-materials exports by 30%,” the Minister emphasised.

#Government session #International Cooperation #President's instruction #Trade #Transport

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