Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to gradually increase railway cargo volumes between the two nations to 60 million tons per year, marking a major step toward strengthening regional trade and transit connectivity.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between the transport ministers of both countries, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport.

The initiative is part of Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to expand its transit capacity and boost total transit shipments to 55 million tons annually.

Officials from both sides emphasized the strategic importance of railway links for enhancing bilateral trade, supporting international transit routes, and accelerating regional transport integration across Central Asia.

Rail freight volumes between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reached 32.3 million tons in 2025, reflecting a 16 per cent increase compared to 2024. Authorities highlighted strong potential for further growth, driven by rising trade flows and improved logistics efficiency.

To support the planned expansion, both countries approved a joint action plan focused on upgrading key railway infrastructure at border junctions, including Saryagash, Oasis, and Syrdarya. Major projects such as the Darbaza-Maktaral railway section are also expected to play a crucial role in boosting capacity.

Currently, up to 36 train pairs pass daily through the Saryagash crossing, with plans to increase this to 40. Traffic at the Oasis junction is expected to rise from two to ten train pairs per day, while the Syrdarya route will also handle up to ten train pairs after the Darbaza-Maktaral section becomes operational.

The two sides also discussed synchronizing infrastructure upgrades, improving border control procedures, and optimizing logistics coordination to ensure smoother and more efficient rail operations.