Georgia and Kazakhstan discussed the development of transport links and the Middle Corridor

The priority areas of cooperation between Georgia and Kazakhstan in the field of transport, logistics, and trade, as well as the development of the Middle Corridor, were discussed by Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvirikashvili with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektanov and Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, according to a statement from the Georgian Ministry of Economy.

Kvirivishvili is in Kazakhstan on an official visit. At the meeting, the parties discussed priority areas of cooperation. The strategic cooperation between Georgia and Kazakhstan in the development of international transport corridors between Europe and Asia was emphasized.

At the meeting with both the prime minister and the minister of transport of Kazakhstan, issues of deepening cooperation were discussed, both in the field of land transport, which has shown growing dynamics in recent years, and in terms of the development of the Trans-Caspian transport route – the Middle Corridor.

As Kvirivishvili noted, this corridor has particular potential as a reliable and efficient transit route between Europe and Asia.

“The Middle Corridor is an important component connecting Europe and Asia, the development of which will contribute to both economic prosperity and stability in the region. This requires greater coordination, increased investment spending, and joint efforts by the countries participating in the corridor to make it more competitive,” Kvirivishvili said.

The parties also discussed cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan in the development of container transportation between China and Europe and, to this end, the successful launch of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).

It was noted that this route is currently actively used for rail container transport between China and Europe.

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TCITR, also known as the Middle Corridor) was established in February 2014 with the participation of leading maritime and rail transport companies from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia. The corridor route currently runs from the Chinese-Kazakh border through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to Europe.

In addition, during the meeting with the Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, the active role of the Kazakh side in the process of creating a joint multimodal enterprise “Middle Corridor” in 2023 was emphasized, which further strengthens regional partnership and opens up significant prospects for the development of the transit direction.

The main functions of the joint venture are to provide services on a “one-stop shop” basis, to guarantee the timing and cost of transportation, and to implement a coordinated policy through the development of multimodal transportation and freight transportation in the China-Europe/Turkey-China direction.

It was also noted at the meeting that in 2024, almost 1 million tons of cargo were transported by land between Georgia and Kazakhstan, and more than 2.7 million tons by rail, which once again confirms the stability of transport links between the countries.

Kvirivishvili presented the Kazakh side with information on the transport and logistics infrastructure projects being implemented by the Georgian government, including the deep-water port of Anaklia, the East-West highway, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, railway modernization, and others.

At the meeting, the parties noted the importance of Kazakhstani investments in Georgia's port and logistics sectors.

They also discussed deepening cooperation in the field of aviation. Currently, 55 flights per week have been approved between Georgia and Kazakhstan during the summer navigation period.

As Mariam Kvrivishvili stated at a meeting with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektanov, Kazakhstan is an important trade and economic partner for Georgia.

“Exports play an important role in the economies of both countries, and, of course, we are optimistic that the existing framework of our partnership will expand and we will see even more Georgian products on the Kazakh market,” Kvirivishvili said.

Georgia and Kazakhstan

Georgia and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations in July 1992. The countries cooperate in the fields of energy, transport, and agriculture. Kazakhstan has been one of Georgia's major investors for many years, investing in the energy and tourism sectors.

On the initiative of the Kazakh Embassy in Georgia, the Kazakh-Georgian Economic Association was established in Tbilisi in March 2021. Its goal is to promote investment and trade cooperation between the countries, as well as the development of tourism and cultural ties. The association was established by companies created and operating in Georgia with the involvement of Kazakh capital.

Trade turnover between the countries in 2024 amounted to more than $922 million, which is 25.3% more than in 2023, with exports to Kazakhstan growing by 22.3%. Kazakhstan is one of Georgia's ten main trading partners.

Reprinted from https://sputnik-georgia.ru/