Digitalization, AI to serve as key drivers of Kazakh railway sector - president

ASTANA. Sept 30 (Interfax) - Digital solutions and AI technology will ensure rapid development of Kazakhstan's railway sector, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"Kazakhstan connects the North and the South, the West and the East. Five railway corridors cross the national territory and open way to the world's largest markets. [...] It is planned to build 5,000 kilometers of railways and to repair another 11,000 kilometers. The Moiynty-Kyzylzhar railway is under construction. Sections between the Kyzylzhar station and the Aktau port will be modernized. This route is an essential part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route," Tokayev said at a ceremony, which opened the second line of the Dostyk-Moiynty railway.

Digitalization and AI technology will be actively introduced in the industry, which will become an advanced part of the economy, he said.

About $35 billion has been invested in the development of national transport and logistics infrastructure over the past decade, Tokayev said, adding that the efforts taken by the Kazakh leadership will strengthen ties between Europe and Asia and contribute to the development of the Trans-Kazakh Railway Route and the Middle Corridor.

"The government should prioritize a stronger economy in order to maintain competitiveness. A special role is assigned to the transport and logistics sector. This is why an increase of Kazakhstan's transit potential is a chief priority. The railway sector has large-scale tasks," Tokayev said.