Kazakhstan Proposes Joint Cargo Terminal with China at Port of Kuryk

Against the backdrop of geopolitical shifts and the growing significance of Eurasian transit, Kazakhstan has put forward an initiative to establish a joint cargo terminal with China at the Port of Kuryk. This was announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the "Central Asia – China" summit held at the level of heads of state.

According to the President, ensuring stable, secure, and diversified cargo delivery routes has become a key priority amid global instability. Central Asia, he noted, is increasingly becoming a strategic logistics hub linking Asian and European markets.

According to official data, in 2024, the volume of transit container transportation from China through Central Asia exceeded 211,000 TEU, showing a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Approximately 85% of this volume passes through Kazakhstan, which remains the primary land route between China and Europe.

In this context, Kazakhstan is actively promoting the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), as well as its integration with China's Belt and Road Initiative and other major infrastructure corridors, including "Western China – Western Europe" and "North – South". A potential terminal in Kuryk could become a critical link in this system, providing Chinese goods access to the Caspian Sea and further to the South Caucasus and Europe.

Special attention at the summit was also paid to industrial cooperation and agricultural partnership. The Kazakh side expressed strong interest in launching joint high-tech production facilities, especially those focused on processing raw materials into value-added products. Priority is given to fourth-stage processing enterprises capable of producing competitive goods for both domestic and international markets.

Agriculture was identified as another key area of cooperation. Kazakhstan is counting on Chinese partners to participate in the localization of agro-industrial production, the introduction of advanced agricultural technologies, and the deployment of efficient water-saving solutions. These initiatives are especially relevant in the face of climate challenges and the need to boost agricultural productivity.

An additional impetus to economic cooperation is expected to come from the International Center for Border Cooperation "Khorgos", which is already functioning as a unique zone for bilateral business interaction.
Kazakhstan’s proposal to build a joint terminal in the Port of Kuryk underscores the country’s strategic commitment to enhancing its transit and agro-industrial potential through a deepening partnership with China. Successful implementation of this initiative could further strengthen Kazakhstan's role as a key logistics hub in Eurasia and open new opportunities for the export of value-added products, including agricultural goods in high demand on the Chinese market.