Astana: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced Kazakhstan's ambitious goal to increase transit volumes through its territory to 100 million tons, emphasizing the nation's transport and logistics potential during the first Central Asia-Republic of Korea Summit, as reported by Qazinform News Agency.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Tokayev highlighted the shifting dynamics of global supply chains, positioning Central Asia as a crucial link between East and West. The President underscored the significance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor, in achieving this transit target.
Tokayev revealed that cargo volumes along the Middle Corridor have surged fivefold in the past six years, with plans to boost its capacity to 20 million tons soon. He also suggested the potential integration of the Middle Corridor with the TRIPP transport initiative, noting South Korea's current multimodal transportation operations to Central Asia via the Kazakh-Chinese logistics terminal at Lianyungang port.
The President proposed a collaborative effort to create an end-to-end transport and logistics chain linking South Korea, Central Asia, and Europe, with significant prospects for cooperation between the Port of Busan and Kazakhstan's Caspian ports. This collaboration could enhance the exchange of advanced experience and information.
Addressing energy security, Tokayev mentioned Kazakhstan's status as a leading hydrocarbon producer with an annual oil output of approximately 100 million tons. He expressed readiness to expand cooperation, including resuming energy resource supplies to Korea.
Tokayev also identified opportunities for intensified cooperation in geological exploration and the development of new mineral deposits. He highlighted successful collaborations, such as the Korean National Oil Corporation's (KNOC) development of oil fields in Kazakhstan and Hyundai Engineering's involvement in a major gas processing plant construction.
Further, Tokayev emphasized Kazakhstan's efforts in developing its petrochemical industry, including the production of polypropylene and polyethylene, inviting Korean companies to establish high-value-added production facilities. He noted the growing significance of the nuclear industry amid the global energy transition and expressed Kazakhstan's willingness for closer cooperation with KHNP and Doosan Enerbility in nuclear technologies.
Qazinform earlier reported that President Tokayev proposed launching a regional AI Talent program at the summit to train artificial intelligence specialists for Central Asian nations, highlighting ongoing regional cooperation efforts.