Transit flows through Central Asian countries have increased by 70% between 2020 and 2024, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s Transport Projects Observatory.
This rise highlights the growing importance of the region as a key transit hub in Eurasia, despite its landlocked geography.
Central Asia’s central location on the continent, combined with major infrastructure projects, is transforming it into a critical link in international logistics chains. The growth in transit volumes is not a one-off spike but rather a stable and ongoing trend.
Currently, 80% of all transit traffic passes through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with railways carrying about 60% of the total transit cargo volume.
More than 70% of transit routes connect China on one side with Russia, Turkiye, Afghanistan, and European countries on the other.
The development of the Eurasian transport network remains the main driver behind the increase in transit shipments and the formation of a Eurasian transport crossroads. According to the Transport Projects Observatory, over $52 billion are expected to be invested in Central Asia’s transport corridors by 2035.
Deputy Chairman and Chief Economist of the Eurasian Development Bank, Evgeny Vinokurov, emphasises the sustained growth.
“Over the past five years, we have witnessed a doubling of Central Asian countries’ foreign trade with China. At the same time, transit flows have increased by 70%.
But this is only the beginning. Central Asia, which is more remote from global markets than other landlocked regions, requires quality infrastructure. Our estimates put the necessary investment at nearly $53 billion by 2035.” he said.
Vinokurov highlights the importance of transport projects along the North-South direction, including the international North-South transport corridor and the Trans-Afghan corridor, which opens new trade opportunities with the Gulf countries and South Asia.
Beyond hard infrastructure, the growth of transit also depends on improvements in so-called “soft” infrastructure.
Simplifying border-crossing procedures across Central Asia accelerates cargo transit, while coordinated tariff policies help reduce container transport costs.
This multifaceted approach indicates that Central Asia’s rise as a Eurasian transport hub will continue, supported not only by investments in physical infrastructure but also by regional co-operation and regulatory improvements.
The involvement of Yemen’s Houthis has heightened regional tensions as the Iran-aligned group joins the conflict. The U.S. says it is hopeful...
Austria’s government on Friday approved plans to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 14, alongside r...
Nepal’s ousted former prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak have been arrested over alleged negligence linked...
China is moving ahead with plans to establish a nationwide long-term care insurance system, aimed at supporting its rapidly ageing population and e...
The U.S. Congress failed on Friday (27 March) to resolve a six-week funding impasse that has disrupted airports and left tens of thousands of feder...
The involvement of Yemen’s Houthis has heightened regional tensions as the Iran-aligned group joins the conflict. The U.S. says it is hopeful of holding talks with Iran in the coming days, while Tehran has said that "talking and bombing is intolerable". Welcome to our live coverage of the conflict.
China is moving ahead with plans to establish a nationwide long-term care insurance system, aimed at supporting its rapidly ageing population and easing the financial burden on families caring for elderly relatives.
The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations on Friday called for an immediate stop to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Iran war.
After U.S. President Donald Trump said he would pause attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure for 10 days, G7 Foreign Ministers, including the U.S., called for an end to attacks on civilians in the Iran war.
The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations on Friday called for an immediate stop to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Iran war.
Northern European countries must significantly boost military drone production to help Ukraine defeat Russia, Latvia’s Prime Minister has said, warning that victory would be “impossible” without greater support.
France has rejected claims that South Africa was dropped from the guest list for this year’s G7 summit under pressure from United States, insisting the decision to invite Kenya was its own.
Two months after Indian negotiators worked in January to secure relief from punitive U.S. tariffs on the country’s exports and New Delhi moved to cut back its purchases of Russian crude oil, India and Russia are stepping up their energy ties once again, according to Reuters.
The involvement of Yemen’s Houthis has heightened regional tensions as the Iran-aligned group joins the conflict. The U.S. says it is hopeful of holding talks with Iran in the coming days, while Tehran has said that "talking and bombing is intolerable". Welcome to our live coverage of the conflict.
The involvement of Yemen’s Houthis has heightened regional tensions as the Iran-aligned group joins the conflict. The U.S. says it is hopeful of holding talks with Iran in the coming days, while Tehran has said that "talking and bombing is intolerable". Welcome to our live coverage of the conflict.
AnewZ has released the official trailer for its upcoming original documentary, Halfway Across, an investigation into the systems behind illegal migration.
Hamas would have to allow its vast network of tunnels in Gaza to be destroyed as it gives up its weapons over eight months, under a disarmament plan drawn up by the U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
Georgia’s ambitions to position itself as a key bridge between Europe and Asia are gaining renewed attention, following a visit by senior U.S. officials and fresh talks on economic cooperation.
Uzbekistan is pursuing a dual-track development strategy, combining the expansion of its energy sector with an ambitious environmental agenda, as new oil and gas projects on the Ustyurt Plateau progress alongside large-scale greening initiatives.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment