All roads lead to Poti

The Khorgos International Border Cooperation Center (KIBCC) is a trade zone between China and Kazakhstan.

Its dry port was recently upgraded with standard-gauge tracks (1.435 m), enabling it to handle around 20 trains from China daily, with an annual capacity of 200,000 TEU.

In 2021, a new terminal at Alashankou was opened, handling 12 trains daily and increasing the China-Kazakhstan border capacity by 120,000 TEUs per year.

Urumqi – the largest city in western China and the closest major city to Khorgos and Alashankou – plays a key role in trade and logistics between China and Central Asia. It has a well developed transportation network, including a high-speed railway linking it to Lanzhou in central China.

As a key industrial city in Kazakhstan with a special focus on coal mining, Karaganda stands out as an attractive hub, with more than 800 enterprises operating in the area.

The city has its well developed railway network and an airport 20 kilometers from the city center.

Astana is a dynamic city with a strong economy, contributing 10.8% to the country's national GDP, making it one of the most prominent economic locations of Kazakhstan.

The city thrives on key sectors which include wholesale and retail trade, real estate and professional services – with a diverse economy in which a variety of industries play vital roles.

Astana also stands out in terms of foreign trade, with a turnover of US$9.6 billion, driven largely by exports.

With a workforce of over half a million people and a gross regional product (GRP) per capita of 6.276 million Tenge – ranking third in the country – the city offers a range of employment opportunities, from high-paying executive roles to skilled trade positions. 

The Kostanay Region is known for its vast and relatively flat landscape, featuring major rivers such as Tobol and Torgai, along with over 5,000 lakes that contribute to its unique geography.

Rich in natural resources, the region boasts significant iron ore reserves, along with deposits of coal, gold, asbestos and limestone, making it a key player in Kazakhstan’s mining industry.

Kostanay has a well-developed transportation network, with over 9,000 km of highways, extensive railway connections and an international airport that links the region to major cities in Kazakhstan, Russia and beyond. Economically, Kostanay contributes 3.6% to the national GDP, with a 3,685 Tenge GRP per capita.

Almaty is a major industrial and economic hub in Kazakhstan, contributing 19.3% to the country's GDP.

The city hosts diverse industries, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, machinery production and construction materials manufacturing. Infrastructure projects such as the Western Europe-Western China highway and a new cargo airport aim to enhance industrial growth and logistics.

To support the increasing energy demands of its expanding industrial sector, the Alma Transmission Project has been implemented to modernize the region's power supply network. 

Bishkek is the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, with an economy that relies heavily on gold production and agriculture.

While Bishkek experienced significant growth in 2022, the economy remains vulnerable due to its dependence on external factors such as gold prices and remittances.

Bishkek plays a key role in the country's economic activity, but the private sector faces challenges such as corruption, legal uncertainty and limited access to finance. The government has introduced reforms aimed at modernization and sustainable development, though these efforts have yet to fully take hold.

Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, has a diverse economy that contributes significantly to the country’s GDP. In 2018, it accounted for around 20% of the national GDP.

The city’s industrial sector is a key driver of its economy, with a focus on light industry, including cotton processing, garment manufacturing, food processing and electrical products.

The city is home to over 450 manufacturing companies, producing a variety of goods such as cotton yarn, finished fabrics, hosiery, cables and agricultural products. The city also plays an important role in Tajikistan's energy sector, with numerous power plants and industries involved in electricity and gas production. 

Shymkent is a prominent industrial hub in Kazakhstan, with a diversified economy that includes non-ferrous metallurgy, chemical production, mechanical engineering, food processing and oil refining. Key industries in the city include the production of refined zinc, pharmaceuticals, textiles and machinery, with notable companies like PetroKazakhstan, Khimpharm and Yuzhpolymetal.

Shymkent contributes to Kazakhstan's economic development by fostering innovation and attracting substantial investments in both the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Uzbekistan's economy is largely driven by agriculture, mining and energy. Agriculture employs 28% of the workforce and contributes 24% of GDP, with cotton historically a major export, although its importance has decreased in favor of wheat for food security.

Despite a decline in cotton production, Uzbekistan remains the largest cotton producer in Central Asia. The country also produces jute, silk and various fruits and vegetables, which together account for 8% of exports.

Turkmenistan's major export is natural gas, with China being the primary importer, receiving up to 43.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually. The country also sells gas to Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan, with recent agreements to swap gas between Iran and Azerbaijan. In 2021, Turkmenistan earned $6.79 billion from natural gas exports to China.

In addition to natural gas, Turkmenistan exports minerals such as petroleum, cement and chemicals. Cement production, however, is underutilized, with several plants operating below capacity. The country also produces sheet glass and steel, exporting these products to regional markets.

The economy benefits from Turkmenistan’s strategic location along historic trade routes, facilitating transit cargo through its international seaport and expanding air connections. The Turkmenbashy Seaport, upgraded at a cost of $2 billion, handles substantial dry cargo, passengers and oil exports, and the national rail network supports both domestic and international freight.

The biggest and most multifunctional port in Kazakhstan is the Port of Aktau, with its 70K TEU capacity. The port is owned and operated by the KTZ, which also operates the railroad network from China to the major Caspian ports in the country and provides a direct link between the railroad and the Port of Aktau.

Aktau is also the only port that can offer both bulk and container opportunities to its customers, increasing its value and importance for the region.

Another maritime junction on the Caspian Sea is Kuryk Port. Although it currently only serves Ferry and Grain customers, it has considerable expansion plans. The expansion will include new capabilities for container and bulk cargo, raising Kuryk Port’s volume to 400K TEUs.

Parallel to Kazakhstan, neighboring Turkmenistan has been increasing its maritime transport capacities. The Turkmenbashi International Seaport acts as a gateway port for the region and has significant infrastructure projects that make trans-Caspian trade routes promising for future expansions.

Together, Kazakh and Turkmenbashi seaports can guarantee that the demand for cargo volume will be met, especially after considerable expansion projects.

Azerbaijan’s main gateway to the Central Asian region is the Port of Baku. Currently, the port’s capacity is evaluated as 100K TEU per year, but active plans for development propose an increase to 500K TEU. In addition to providing bulk and container services, the Port of Baku has advanced ferry transport capabilities, increasing its capacity to work with railroad customers.    

In addition to the Port of Baku, Zira port will be an additional maritime operator in Azerbaijan. The port is currently working on its license to handle container vessels and already has been handling fertilizer bulk vessels. Additionally, being a part of an engineering company allows the Zira port opportunities to produce and operate its own cranes with appropriate certifications. 

With a population of 1.2 million, Georgia's capital Tbilisi plays a key role in the country's economy and transportation network. It is strategically located about 380 km from the coast, acting as a central hub for regional trade and logistics. One of the city's most important infrastructure developments is the Tbilisi Dry Port, which serves as a multimodal inland terminal, facilitating the transfer of containers between rail and road transport.

Developed as an extension of the Batumi and Poti seaports, Tbilisi Dry Port enables the transshipment of ocean cargo to inland destinations within the Caucasus and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. With a large area of 196,000 m² and 87,000 m² of land within Tbilisi's industrial zone, it provides essential space for efficient supply chain management. This strategic dry port enhances Georgia’s logistical capacity and strengthens its role as a transit hub in the region.

In 2024, Armenia’s export sector remains strong, driven by key commodities. The primary exports from Armenia include metals, diamonds, energy products, beverages and vegetables and fruits. Metals – particularly copper and gold – continue to dominate the export landscape, alongside a significant share of diamond exports. The country is also a notable exporter of energy resources like electricity and natural gas.

Armenia's export markets are diverse. Russia remains the largest destination, followed by Germany, Iran, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, the United States, Spain, Canada and Belgium. This broad range of export partners showcases Armenia’s growing trade ties, with energy exports increasingly heading to neighboring countries like Iran, while metals and diamonds are prominently shipped to Russia and European markets. Additionally, Armenia continues to develop its agricultural export base, with fresh produce finding demand in markets such as Russia and the European Union.