MIDDLE CORRIDOR GAINS MOMENTUM AS STRATEGIC FREIGHT ROUTE
On 23 June, representatives from the European Union, Kazakhstan, international financial institutions and the private sector met in Brussels to discuss the development of the Middle Corridor as a strategic transport route linking Europe and Asia.
Participants highlighted the growing commercial relevance of the corridor, while recognising that further investment is needed to address capacity constraints, improve reliability and strengthen regulatory predictability. Discussions also underlined the corridor's role in diversifying transport routes between Europe and Asia, reducing transit times and supporting the EU's access to critical raw materials.
According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Middle Corridor has evolved into "a commercial proposition that is maturing rapidly", with transit times having fallen from around 50–60 days to less than 20 days. However, additional investment in infrastructure, greater private sector participation and a more predictable regulatory framework were identified as essential to support future growth.
The meeting also highlighted the economic opportunities for Central Asian countries, with improved connectivity expected to facilitate trade, strengthen logistics networks and support broader regional economic development.
Source: RailFreight.com