ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed regional and commercial agreements worth more than 80 billion tenge (US$146 million) on July 24 as the two countries advanced cooperation in trade, transport, industry and cross-border development during a series of meetings in Aktau.
From L to R: Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Photo credit: PM’s press service. The agreements were concluded following the 23rd meeting of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Joint Intergovernmental Commission and the inaugural Council of Regional Leaders, co-chaired by Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.
The leaders reviewed implementation of agreements reached by Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev. They discussed priorities for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, industrial production, transport, regional development and cultural ties.
“Thanks to the joint efforts of our heads of state, multifaceted cooperation between our countries continues to develop dynamically and today serves as a successful example of partnership for the entire Central Asian region,” Bektenov said. Aripov said the governments remain committed to implementing the tasks set by both presidents during their meetings in Bukhara, Astana and Turkistan this year.
“I am ready to take all necessary measures to fulfill these instructions. I am confident that today’s negotiations will contribute to the further development of trade, investment, industrial, transport, interregional and cultural cooperation,” he said. Transport connectivity featured prominently in the discussions as both countries seek to strengthen regional trade corridors.
According to Bektenov, rail freight between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan increased 16% in 2025, reaching 32.3 million tons. The two governments have adopted a joint action plan to increase railway corridor capacity from 35 million to 60 million tons. The prime ministers also visited the Aktau International Sea Trade Port, Kazakhstan’s largest maritime hub and a key component of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).
Covering 44 hectares, the port can handle nearly 12 million tons of cargo annually and provides year-round connections to the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Caspian region. According to Bektenov, Kazakhstan completed dredging works at the Kuryk Port in 2025, becoming the first Caspian state to do so.
Similar dredging at Aktau is expected to finish by the end of this year, allowing fully loaded vessels to enter the port safely while increasing cargo capacity. Kazakh and Uzbek prime ministers also visited the Aktau International Sea Trade Port on July 23. Photo credit: PM’s press service.
Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times. According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Chairman Yelzhas Otynshiyev, the combined capacity of the Aktau and Kuryk ports now stands at 22 million tons annually.