North-South Transport Corridor should be in tandem with TITR - Tokayev

ALMATY. May 25 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sees a need to develop the North-South transport corridor in tandem with the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).

"We hail the Russian Federation's intention to create corridors in the direction of the People's Republic of China, India, Pakistan, Iran, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. I think an understanding has developed about the need to develop the North-South transport corridor in tandem with the Trans-Caspian route," Tokayev told the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Moscow on Thursday.

In this regard, Kazakhstan will act as a reliable logistics hub of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) by employing all of its capabilities and resources, he said.

"By way of specific initiatives, we propose launching high-speed freight trains on the Chelyabinsk-Bolashak-Iran main line," he said.

Another important area for further integration could involve creating new international thoroughfares, the Kazakh leader said.

"I am sure our economic union will eventually become a link between Europe and Asia, [and] the global South and North," Tokayev said.

He also proposed considering joint investment in building infrastructure for the sea and dry ports of Iran and Turkmenistan. This would considerably expand the geography of EAEU exports and boost logistical capacity, the president said.

As well as developing physical infrastructure, it is extremely important to work out specific solutions for creating a common digital system for goods transit, he said. "It should be reliable but easy to use, and based on the latest digital technologies," he said.

The EAEU should also address the issues of using electronic seals, a warranty system for quickly sharing information, and developing an electronic "one-stop-shop" system, the president said.

"These measures will enable [us] to create a joint digital corridor with multiple channels that will speed up flows of goods and optimize supply chains," Tokayev said.