Presidential Aide: Dostyk–Moiynty Railway to Reshape Kazakh Economy

Assistant to the Kazakh president Ruslan Zheldibay has said that the official launch of the second line of the Dostyk‑Moiynty Railway is anticipated to have a transformative impact on Kazakhstan’s economy.

In reflecting on the inauguration, Zheldibay relayed that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev referred to the opening as “historic,” underscoring its importance in reinforcing Kazakhstan’s role as a critical transport and logistics hub linking China and Europe, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Zheldibay noted that with the new line in service, export delivery times are expected to shrink dramatically, while freight capacity through the Dostyk‑Alashankou border crossing may increase fivefold. Train traffic is projected to jump from 12 to 60 pairs per day, with container transport speeds reaching up to 1,500 kilometers daily.

He added that this railway project marks the first stage in creating the broader Trans‑Kazakhstan Railway Corridor, further elevating Kazakhstan’s transit potential. The project also carried strong domestic economic benefits: it procured 113,000 tons of rail and 1.6 million reinforced concrete sleepers from local suppliers, with 85% of materials sourced locally. Some 1,500 machinery units, 3,000 workers, and 7,000 SMEs participated in the construction, which was completed two years ahead of schedule thanks to meticulous planning and execution.

Zheldibay reaffirmed that expansion and modernization of the national rail network are continuing, with ongoing work on lines such as Bakhty-Ayagoz, Moiynty-Kyzylzhar, and Altynkol-Zhetygen, along with rehabilitation of approximately 3,000 kilometers of existing track.

Earlier, President Tokayev inaugurated the second line at the VII International Transport and Logistics Business Forum “New Silk Way,” congratulating participants and emphasizing the project’s significance in enhancing regional and global connectivity.