Middle Corridor to boost trade between Central Asian and Southeast Asian countries
The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Thailand held a seminar on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) and Kazakhstan’s transit potential, El.kz cites MFA.
The event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, academia, as well as company executives and logistics experts from Thailand.
Arman Issetov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Thailand, opened the seminar by highlighting Kazakhstan’s strategic location along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. “Kazakhstan, as the geographical center of the Eurasian subcontinent, has historically played an important role in trade and cultural exchange. In the 21st century, Kazakhstan is undergoing a significant transformation. Today, 11 transit corridors cross the territory of our country, with the main one being the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route,” the Ambassador said.
Assessments from international organizations were shared during the event. According to a World Bank report (2023), the Middle Corridor could halve travel time between China and Europe and triple transit volumes to 11 million tons by 2030. UN ESCAP, in its policy brief (2023), notes that the Middle Corridor and the China-Laos rail link launched in December 2021 will boost trade between Central Asian and Southeast Asian countries.
The workshop also featured presentations by experts, including representatives from Rhenus Logistics and Kazakh Thai Alliance, who discussed cargo transportation between Thailand and Kazakhstan. Discussions focused on logistics efficiency and the potential for economic growth.
The event concluded with a networking session that allowed participants to make valuable contacts and explore potential collaborations.