BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Rail freight
transportation between Iran and Kazakhstan has increased
significantly, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban
Development and CEO of the Railway Company, Jabarali Zakeri,
said.
According to Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development,
Zakeri made the remarks while discussing prospects for regional
transport cooperation.
“Iran and Kazakhstan have longstanding ties in rail freight
transportation,” he said.
Despite existing challenges in bilateral cooperation, the
development of railway networks, the establishment of a rail
connection between Iran and Afghanistan via Uzbekistan, and the
improvement of border links were among the issues discussed at the
14th meeting of transport ministers from member states of the
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, he
noted.
Zakeri said the implementation of agreements and decisions
reached at the meeting was expected to begin by 2027, contributing
to stronger regional railway cooperation and transit
connectivity.
He also noted that the annual New Silk Way conference in
Kazakhstan aimed to promote freight transportation along
international corridors and support the development of regional
cargo flows.
According to Zakeri, the development of a second border crossing
between Kazakhstan and China is important for expanding regional
transport capacity. He said construction of a 150-kilometer railway
on the Dostyk route was expected to be completed in 2027,
potentially increasing the capacity of the East-West International
Corridor.
Zakeri also said rail freight transportation in Kazakhstan had
increased by 20% to 30 million tons, despite restrictions affecting
Russia’s and Belarus’ transport links with Europe. He cited this as
evidence of the region’s potential for expanding rail freight
transportation.
The deputy minister highlighted the importance of digitalizing
procedures among Kazakhstan’s executive authorities, saying that
this had reduced railcars’ border-crossing time by approximately 30
minutes.
He added that the adoption of a unified digital system by member
states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) could
simplify regional trade and rail freight transportation.
Regarding Iran’s participation in these efforts, Zakeri
expressed hope that the country could also benefit from unified
digital systems, given its transport and border links with regional
countries.
The 14th meeting of transport ministers from ECO member states
was held in Astana on October 15, following a preparatory meeting
on October 14.
