Beijing (TDI): Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) regional connectivity agenda is about to implementation as planning for connecting regional countries started and it was reflected in recent meetings in Beijing, media reports suggest.
On December 25, experts convened in Beijing to evaluate the performance and future potential of the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway route.
The meeting reviewed the route’s operational results for 2024 and explored opportunities for further development, a statement read.
According to the Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan was represented by KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company.
According to KTZ Express, cargo transportation volume along the route increased by 31% during the first 11 months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
This growth underscores the rising interest of market participants in the route and highlights Kazakhstan’s critical role as a transit hub in the global supply chain.
Read More: Regional Connectivity Gets Boost with Key Projects
Participants focused on several areas to enhance the route’s efficiency: Increasing cargo delivery speeds to further reduce transit times, optimizing customs procedures to streamline cross-border operations, implementing modern digital solutions to simplify logistics processes and improve transparency.
The China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway corridor is a vital link in Eurasian trade, facilitating the rapid movement of goods from China’s eastern coast to the Persian Gulf and Middle Eastern markets.
This corridor has already achieved significant milestones, reducing delivery times between China and Iran to just 15 days.
With its growing cargo volumes and strategic positioning, the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway route is poised to become an even more significant player in Eurasian trade.
Continued efforts to optimize its operations and infrastructure will further solidify its role in connecting key global markets.
Also Read: SCO Summit: Boosting Eurasian Connectivity
SCO and Pakistan
Pakistan already proposed regional connectivity for development and trade. Islamabad supports connecting the country with Central Asia, China and beyond.
Interconnectivity projects in Pakistan was already planned in addition to China’s flagship project of CPEC.
