Problems of and prospects for the development of railway infrastructure in Kazakhstan

Abstract

The rail transport remains and will in the foreseeable future remain the main mode of transport in Kazakhstan. Its importance is enhanced by the growing transit rail traffic between China and the European Union as well as between the Central Asian countries and Russia, by the fact that Kazakhstan is a landlocked country and by an active development of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. This is why it is so important to consider the problems of and prospects for the development of railway infrastructure in the country. The study is based on the relevant literature review and interviews with representatives of major market players and academia. The interviewees identified and discussed the major problems, recommended their solutions, and suggested ways forward. It is proposed to organize a thorough discussion of these solutions and to implement the approved ones. In general, the topic of this article is of serious importance for the country because the full utilization of its transport and transit potential will support the overall national development.