Toqayev Opens New China-Linked Railway to Boost Kazakhstan’s Freight Capacity

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev has inaugurated the second line of the Dostyk–Moiynty railway, a key route linking Kazakhstan with China, Orda.kz reports.

Speaking at the launch, Toqayev described the project as “an exceptionally important infrastructure development” that will strengthen the country’s logistics network. He reiterated that transport and logistics are strategic drivers of Kazakhstan’s economy and central to its international partnerships.

Toqayev highlighted the role of cooperation with China and noted that the new line aligns with the “One Belt, One Road” initiative:

The new route will increase freight capacity fivefold. Export delivery times will be reduced, and transit potential will grow. Kazakhstan connects North and South, West and East. Five major rail corridors already pass through our territory. Over the past decade, about $35 billion has been invested in this sector.

According to the president, the government plans to build an additional 5,000 kilometers of railways and repair 11,000 kilometers of existing tracks. Construction of the Moiynty–Qyzylzhar line is underway, and upgrades are planned from Qyzylzhar station to the port of Aqtau — a key segment of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Toqayev also said digitalization and artificial intelligence will be integrated into the logistics sector.

The Dostyq–Moiynty project, estimated at 543 billion tenge in 2022, took three years to complete.

Earlier, Kazakhstan also signed a major deal with the U.S.-based company Wabtec to produce new locomotives domestically.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny