"Logistics with an eye on the future: Kazakhstan and the Netherlands are working on enhancing cooperation"

In October 2024, a delegation of leading Dutch transport and logistics companies, such as APM Terminals, Boekestijn Transport Service, CF&S Netherlands B.V., Dieseko Group BV, Meever&Meever, Van Oord Dredging & Marine Contractors B.V. and Witteveen+Bos, visited Kazakhstan. The purpose of their trip was to study the investment climate in the country and strengthen cooperation in the implementation of projects related to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Transport Corridor).

With the active assistance of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Netherlands, meetings of the delegation members with the leadership of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a number of Kazakhstan’s logistics companies were organized. The delegation also visited the key hubs of the Middle Transport Corridor - the ports of Kuryk and Aktau, where they discussed the possibilities of modernizing and expanding their infrastructure to improve the efficiency of supply chains and minimize the time of delivery of goods.

The culmination of the visit was a meeting of the Kazakh-Dutch Business Council in Astana. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Netherlands Kairat Abdrakhmanov in his video address to the participants noted the positive dynamics of the development of Kazakh-Dutch relations, emphasizing that such visits reflect the growing depth of bilateral partnership, and mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of sustainable development and logistics opens up new opportunities for long-term economic growth and prosperity of both countries.

In turn, Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Maksat Kaliyakparov informed that our country is investing $21.4 billion in 136 projects to develop and modernize the transport network of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. In his opinion, the activity of the business council underlines the desire of both countries to create a modern, multimodal route with high speed and reliability of delivery.

The event noted the extensive experience of the Netherlands in port and maritime transport management, the adaptation of which to local conditions could strengthen Kazakhstan's position in international trade.

Overall, this visit was an important step in implementing the Middle Transport Corridor initiatives, contributing to the strengthening of regional ties, ensuring sustainable growth and creating new opportunities for Kazakh-Dutch cooperation.