Kazakhstan Accelerates Layout of Southern Logistics Corridors; Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Project Negotiations Enter Final Stage

Source: Kazakh International News Agency — According to media reports from Kazakhstan, on the 26th, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Jumagulov held a press briefing following a joint session of both chambers of parliament, where he introduced details regarding Kazakhstan’s plan to establish a logistics terminal at Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port.

"We intend to lease 15 hectares of land at Bandar Abbas Port for the construction of a cargo transshipment logistics terminal. This project will be fully funded by private capital and will not draw on state budget funds. As far as I understand, current negotiations have entered their final stage, with lease agreements and other key issues largely agreed upon," said Jumagulov.

Jumagulov pointed out that once the logistics terminal is completed, Kazakhstan will leverage this platform to further open up transportation routes toward South Asia and Southeast Asia, creating more favorable conditions for exporting various goods.

"Currently, we are actively advancing railway construction through Afghanistan. At the same time, rail transport links to Iran are already feasible. From Aktau, passing through Turkmenistan, there are two main routes into Iran: one via the Etrek border crossing near the Caspian Sea, and another via the Sarakhs border crossing. Both routes ultimately lead to the Persian Gulf. Bandar Abbas is one of the largest ports in the Persian Gulf region—I personally visited it and was impressed by its vast scale. Through this logistics corridor, Kazakhstani goods can not only reach the Persian Gulf but also be further transported to countries along the Indian Ocean coast, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. This is precisely the strategic goal we are striving to achieve," he said.

When responding to journalists’ questions about which goods would primarily be exported via this corridor in the future, Jumagulov noted that due to previous international sanctions, Kazakhstan has repeatedly engaged in consultations with relevant parties, seeking to remove certain restricted items—such as metal products and transformers—from the list prohibiting import or transit through Iran.

"We believe that once the relevant agreement is formally signed, these issues will be clearly resolved. We look forward to achieving smooth export of all types of goods through Iran and across its territory after the agreement takes effect," he said.

Moreover, Jumagulov added that, considering the inherent uncertainties in regional situations, Kazakhstan is simultaneously studying and planning alternative logistics routes alongside advancing the Bandar Abbas project, aiming to further enhance the stability and security of international transport corridors.

He specifically mentioned that constructing a new logistics corridor through Afghanistan is also one of the key directions under study by Kazakhstan. Once completed, this route will provide Kazakhstan with a new maritime access option to deep-water ports in Pakistan.

"This route may even prove more efficient, as it could bypass the Strait of Hormuz. I recently met with Iran’s Minister of Transport, who informed me that railway construction toward Chabahar Port is nearing completion. Although Chabahar Port holds significant strategic importance, it is also located in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. In the event of sudden disruptions in this sea area, ports along the route could all be affected. Of course, personally I believe the likelihood of such a scenario occurring in the near term is low, but these factors warrant our early attention. Therefore, we will continue to regard the Afghanistan route as an important backup logistics corridor and advance related planning accordingly," concluded Jumagulov.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869136047387648/

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