Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Announce Goal to Double Trade as Investment and Transit Projects Expand

Toqayev and Berdymukhamedov have set an objective to double bilateral trade and turn regional transport corridors into major hubs. 

Orda.kz outlines the key agreements reached.

Kazakhstan’s total investment in Turkmenistan has already surpassed $120 million. Trade turnover is steadily increasing, and cooperation now spans energy, industry, agriculture, IT, education, and healthcare.

Over the past five years, mutual trade has more than quadrupled, exceeding half a billion dollars. Approximately 140 companies with Turkmen capital successfully operating in Kazakhstan are making a significant contribution to strengthening economic ties. Kazakh investment in Turkmenistan's economy has exceeded $120 million,
 explained Aqorda.

The two presidents have now set a new target: to raise trade to $1 billion. 

To achieve this, trading houses will be opened in both countries, and direct commercial flights will be launched.

A major focus was the development of transit routes.

The Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran railway is becoming a central link in the North–South transport corridor.

Over the first 10 months of this year, transportation volume amounted to 1.5 million tons, an increase of 14%. Measures are being taken to optimize tariffs and simplify administrative procedures. Border infrastructure is being actively developed, and the checkpoint is being modernized. The task of connecting road infrastructure along the Turkmenbashi–Garabogaz–Kazakh border route is gradually being resolved,
 noted Qasym-Jomart Toqayev.

Further steps include tariff reforms, modernization of border crossings, and broader use of Caspian ports — Aqtau, Quryq, and Turkmenbashi.

Toqayev and Berdimuhamedow also raised a longer-term strategic idea — developing a railway route to South Asia through Afghanistan. It remains a challenging prospect, but both sides expressed willingness to explore its potential.

Agriculture was another major theme. Kazakhstan aims to increase exports of wheat, oil, pasta, and meat and dairy products. Plans include building a grain terminal on the Turkmen–Afghan border, though the terms for storing Kazakh wheat there remain unclear.

Energy cooperation remains stable. Kazakhstan continues transporting Turkmen gas to China, and both sides agreed to advance gas processing and infrastructure projects under their strategic partnership.

Berdimuhamedow emphasized Turkmenistan’s readiness to deepen cooperation across all key sectors — from industrial production to electricity and chemicals.

Given the current geopolitical and geoeconomic situation, the task of activating the existing transport and transit corridors in the East–West and North–South directions is particularly urgent,
 he said.

Kazakhs and Turkmens have long been kindred peoples, bound by strong bonds of friendship. We are united by a shared history, similar aspirations, and close cultural and spiritual values. We attach particular importance to the comprehensive development of cooperation with Turkmenistan in the spirit of good-neighborliness and mutual support.

Original Author: Alina Pak