Kazakhstan’s President Visits Kazakh Railways’ Innovation Center
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, paid a visit to the Innovation Center of Kazakh Railways, emphasizing the significance of inaugurating a transport-logistics center for the railway industry and the broader Kazakhstan-China relations. During his visit, he officially launched the facility.
Earlier agreements between Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the construction of a logistics center at the Xi’an dry port, linking China’s Shaanxi province with Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and Europe. Xi’an serves as a critical transit hub and the largest dry port in China, dispatching approximately 40 percent of container trains between China and the European Union.
The Kazakhstan terminal, situated within the Xi’an dry port, boasts a design capacity of 66.5 thousand TFE (twenty-foot equivalent) per year. This terminal is expected to open new sales markets for Kazakhstan’s exporters, significantly reduce cargo delivery times, and solidify Kazakhstan’s position as a reliable transit hub in Eurasia.
Additionally, President Tokayev inaugurated the new Innovation Center, a collaborative effort between KTZ NC JSC and the Chinese company Huawei. Nurlan Sauranbayev, Chairman of the board of KTZ NC JSC, highlighted the center’s role in implementing the Smart Railway project, presenting digital solutions aimed at enhancing railway transport efficiency.
Kazakhstan Railways, in partnership with PSA, has developed and launched a digital corridor in the Transcaspian direction, streamlining transportation processes and enhancing Kazakhstan’s attractiveness for trade flows. Moreover, pilot projects involving the efficient use of Wabtec’s locomotives are underway.
The President emphasized the importance of opening Transport-Logistics and Innovation Centers, underscoring Kazakhstan’s support for the “One Belt, One Road” global initiative. He praised the successful partnership between Kazakhstan and China, expressing gratitude to all involved in the project’s construction.
President Tokayev commended ongoing efforts to establish Kazakhstan as Eurasia’s main transit hub, stressing the need for innovative solutions to remain competitive. He urged swift digitalization across all sectors of the economy, emphasizing the role of IT solutions in enhancing transportation efficiency and reducing costs.
Tokayev proposed involving domestic IT companies in these endeavors and establishing effective communication with global IT firms. The President concluded the meeting by thanking foreign companies participating in joint projects.
At the Innovation Center, speeches were delivered by various dignitaries including Zhao Xu, CEO of Huawei Technologies Kazakhstan, Yang Long, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lianyungang Port Group, Wei Tan Yong, CEO of Global DTS, and Baihan Gohan, Senior Vice President of Wabtec Corporation for CIS, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, along with Bauyrzhan Aitileu, Director of “Alan TECH” LLP.
