Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) JSC and China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., also known as China Railway (CR), have signed an agreement on comprehensive strategic cooperation, EDnews reports, citing the KTZ.

The document was signed during an official meeting between Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Railways, and Guo Zhuxue, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Railways.

The parties agreed to contribute to the development of international Eurasian routes, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), improve infrastructure connections, as well as implement joint investment projects - modernization and construction of railways, logistics facilities, and multimodal terminals.

Special attention is focused on expanding container transportation and implementing modern digital solutions in international railway connections.

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route connects China and European countries through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea basin, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye.

İn 2024, the volume of cargo transportation via TITR increased by 62% reaching 4.5 million tons. In 2025, it is expected to increase to 5.2 million tons, of which 4.2 million tons will pass through the countries participating in the route. Of this volume, 2.5 million tons will be dry cargo (equivalent to 96,000 TEU), and 1.7 million tons will be oil.

The route's throughput capacity could reach 10 million tons per year by 2027, which will create a sustainable foundation for expanding Azerbaijan's transit potential and attracting additional investments in infrastructure.