Kazakhstan Develops Cross-Border Trade and Logistics Hubs
Kazakhstan advancing the development of five priority cross-border trade hubs aimed at expanding trade, logistics and production capacity along its borders and the Caspian coast, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration.
The hubs are being developed to strengthen economic ties with the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Russia, China and countries of the Caspian region, while attracting investment and supporting the government’s target of increasing the share of non-resource exports to 30%.
The Khorgos-Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone (SEZ) remains the most advanced of the projects. The number of projects in the zone increased from 14 in 2022 to 69, while total investment rose from 340 billion tenge ($755.1 million) to 652.8 billion tenge ($1.5 billion).
Currently, 40 projects worth 75 billion tenge ($166.6 million) are under implementation, with 864 jobs expected to be created. During January-June, nine new participants registered projects totaling 9.3 billion tenge ($20.7 million), generating 230 jobs. Production at the SEZ reached 12.7 billion tenge ($28.2 million), an increase of 74% year on year.
The Khorgos-Eastern Gate SEZ already includes a dry port with an annual capacity of 540,000 containers and a 25,000-square-meter Class A warehouse. Two additional major logistics projects are currently being designed. By 2028, 28 projects with a combined value of 577.7 billion tenge ($1.3 billion) are planned, with nearly 2,800 jobs. Among the key projects are the Kazakhstan-China International Industrial City, valued at 330 billion tenge ($733 million), and an international cargo and passenger airport worth 250 billion tenge ($555.2 million).
On the southern border, the Central Asia International Industrial Cooperation Center has entered the construction and commissioning stage. External construction and installation work has been completed, while commissioning is underway. Internal engineering infrastructure is 55% complete and is expected to be finished by December. Eight production buildings have already been constructed, and the center’s investment portfolio totals 89.4 billion tenge ($199 million).
Construction has also begun on an industrial park valued at 75.3 billion tenge ($167.2 million), which is among the center’s largest projects.
In the Zhambyl Region, the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex received SEZ status in April. The 165-hectare site is being prepared for development, with infrastructure connections planned. Construction of the first-stage substation began this year, with approximately 4 billion tenge ($8.8 million) allocated in 2026 from a total planned investment of 12 billion tenge ($26.7 million).
In western Kazakhstan, the Eurasia Cross-Border Trade Center in the West Kazakhstan Region covers 281 hectares. A portion of its external infrastructure, including gas, electricity, water supply and wastewater systems, has already been completed.
The industrial zone is attracting projects in areas including asphalt production, tire recycling, aerated concrete manufacturing and construction of a gas-turbine power plant. Authorities are also considering establishing the Eurasia SEZ, which would provide additional incentives for investment and local production.
Photo credit: Ministry of Trade and Integration
