Gaidar Abdikerimov: Digital platform along Middle Corridor will be launched by 2025

The Middle Corridor is witnessing a rapid digital transformation to accelerate the pace of operations along the whole corridor, Gaidar Abdikerimov, the Secretary General of the TITR International Association said in an interview with the Astana Times, Report informs.

“A large digital platform is being developed along our transport corridor by PSA International company from Singapore. Its subsidiary company, Global DTC [Digital Transport Corridor], is creating a platform for us. Nurlan Sauranbayev, the chairman of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company, told the President about it at the opening ceremony of the Innovation Center. It will be launched by the end of this year or early next year. Then all the states will integrate and commence their operations,” said Abdikerimov.

Abdikerimov also mapped out the nearest plans for the development of the railways and ports.

“Infrastructure projects totaling over six billion euros (US$6.5 billion) are currently in progress, including the construction of the second line of the Dostyk-Aktogai-Moiynty and Shalkar-Beineu-Mangystau railway junctions, as well as the Almaty bypass railway. These projects promise significant enhancements to future traffic corridors, addressing concerns of congestion. Such infrastructural projects are crucial for mitigating and preempting traffic bottlenecks,” said Abdikerimov.

Plans are underway to construct a large container hub at Aktau Port, alongside efforts to deepen the water harbor there and in Kuryk Port. Additionally, wheat terminals are being constructed.

“80% of cargo flow is from Kazakhstan as it is Kazakhstan’s export that includes oil and oil products, non-ferrous metal, grain crops, wheat, sulfur – all these moving through the Middle Corridor. There are a lot of people and companies involved in this work. We have to manage it all. We have to create conditions for all the parties involved,” he added.

TITR International Association was founded in 2017. Initially established with 7 companies in 3 countries (Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia), this organization currently covers 11 countries with 25 infrastructure and logistics companies.