Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan,Turkmenistan Sign Cooperation Deal for Building Eastern Route of Int’l North-South Transport Corridor

• Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Sign the development roadmap for building the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
•  “Kazakhstan intends to continue active participation in the development of the eastern branch of the ‘North-South’ Corridor”: Deputy PM of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin
• The first North-South transport trade and export forum held from July 19-20 in Aktau, Kazakhstan
• Connectivity of North-South transport corridor with Trans-Afghan corridor
• Leaders of Central Asia attending the Forum discussed plan is to connect the North-South corridor with the Trans-Afghan corridor through the construction of new railways.

By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

Astana: Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan on Saturday signed the development roadmap for building the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for 2024-2025, according to the announcement of Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, IRNA, Tehran news agency reported on Saturday.

The signing of the cooperation document took place during the first North-South transport trade and export forum, held on July 19-20 in Aktau, Kazakhstan.

The forum was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin who stated by saying “Kazakhstan intends to continue active participation in the development of the eastern branch of the ‘North-South’ Corridor” which has the highest potential for growth in cargo flows until 2030 and appears to be the safest for the shortest transit to the Indian Ocean,”.

“Therefore, it is necessary to begin the practical implementation of the roadmap signed today for the synchronous development of the potential of the eastern route of the North-South ITC, passing through the territories of Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenstan and Iran,” Karabaev added.

This multilateral cooperation, signed by Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, will increase the operational capacity of the corridor to 15 million tons per year by 2027 and to 20 million tons by 2030, according to the documents.

In his remarks on cooperation, Marat Karabayev, Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan said that Kazakhstan plans to continue its active participation in the development of the eastern route of the North-South International Transport Corridor, which has the highest capacity for cargo flow growth until 2030.

“International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) corridor is the safest and shortest transportation route to the Indian Ocean”, Minister further added.

“Therefore, it is necessary to start the road map signed today in the context of the simultaneous development of the potential of the eastern route of this corridor from the territory of Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Iran,” he stressed.

The North-South Corridor, which was the product of the will and determination of Russia, Iran and India in the year 2000 to create a cargo transportation corridor, witnessed the joining of a number of other countries to this transit route during the following years.

The common routes for sending goods from India to St. Petersburg, Russia, which passes through the Suez Canal, is about 14,500 km long, but Iran’s corridor in this route is only 7,200 kilometers, and the use of this capacity reduces 40% of transit time and 30% of transportation costs.

The forum served as a platform for dialogue between 500 participants from 12 countries.

The forum was attended by participants and representatives of government bodies and public-private organizations, business circles, railway administrations, manufacturers, exporters, transport and logistics companies from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Iran, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Turkmenistan and the UAE.

The forum’s discussion agenda included questions about the development of railway, road routes and ports, as well as other aspects of logistics.

Alongside the forum, an exhibition “Trade and Export Potential of Kazakhstan” was also held.

Forum provided the participants an opportunity to conduct business negotiations and visit the ports of  Aktau and Kuryk, the source of forum stated.

Connectivity of North-South transport corridor with Trans-Afghan corridor

The plan is to connect the North-South corridor with the Trans-Afghan corridor through the construction of new railways.

Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan, Al-Hajj Nooruddin Azizi, participated in the forum, shared development works in infrastructure, and other logistics matters with participants of forum.

The new roadmap aims to establish a North-South transport corridor linking Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan.

The discussions focused on the development of railway and road routes, port

The event was attended by representatives from several countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, Iran, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Turkmenistan, and the UAE.

Earlier on July 6, Russian Railways accomplished Eurasian connectivity via INSTC it transports coal via INSTC from St. Petersburg to port of Bandar Abbas in Iran, then, forwards it to the port of Mumbai in India.

International North–South Transport Corridor spans 7,200 kilometers (4,500 miles) starting from St. Petersburg of Russia to the port of Mumbai, India, and serves as a multimodal transport network.