Kazakhstan, China set to start building Ayagoz-Tacheng railroad

ALMATY. Oct 17 (Interfax) - The Kazakh Transport Ministry and the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission have signed a memorandum on cooperation in constructing the Ayagoz-Tacheng railroad, the ministry's press service said.

The document was signed on the sidelines of an official visit by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to China, the press service said.

"Seeking to implement an essential agreement on the construction of a third transborder railroad between Kazakhstan and China, as mentioned in the joint statement by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping in May 2023, the respective agencies from both countries have agreed that a discussion of the third transborder railroad between Kazakhstan and China is important. Taking into account the accessibility of the route, the conditions for its opening and connectivity with existing corridors, the parties agreed that priority should be given to promoting the Ayagoz-Tacheng railroad project," it said.

For the purpose of boosting cooperation, the sides are ready to set up a joint working group at the level of department or committee heads and to hold its meetings to promote the project, the press service said.

Project preparations will require a joint study of the transborder railroad connection, the opening of the Bakhty-Pokitu checkpoint, and other matters, the press service said.