Eldaniz Gusseinov, a columnist for Daryo and a Non-Resident Research Fellow at the Haydar Aliyev Center for Eurasian Studies, has highlighted the limited progress in transport development in Central Asia despite three years of active discussions.
Limited Coordination Among Development Banks
Central Asia hosts at least seven IDBs operating in the transport sector. Despite their presence, Gusseinov noted a lack of communication and information exchange between these banks. He observed instances of overlapping efforts, with multiple institutions conducting separate research on the Middle Corridor. Political factors were cited as a potential reason for this lack of coordination.
While some banks have established bilateral collaborations, the absence of a unified approach has hindered the sector’s ability to implement comprehensive strategies.
Progress in Transit but Few Major Projects
Although transit volumes in the region have reportedly increased significantly—by "20-40 times" according to some estimates—concrete projects remain scarce. Over the past three years, the most notable achievement has been the opening of a dry port in Xi'an, China. Promises of further investment have emerged, including initiatives from the European Union’s Global Gateway program and potential projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. However, these initiatives have yet to produce significant outcomes.
Complex Multilateral Coordination
Gusseinov emphasized the complexities of multilateral coordination in the transport sector. For instance, Kazakhstan must navigate a range of formats, including the “Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Georgia” corridor and initiatives within the Organization of Turkic States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This is in addition to bilateral and regional agreements that require lengthy ratification processes.
The involvement of multiple stakeholders—governments, international organizations, businesses, and IDBs—adds further layers of complexity to advancing projects in the region.
The session reflected on the broader implications of the current state of transport development. Gusseinov noted that discussions at specialized forums often revisit previously discussed issues without yielding new results.
However, he also suggested that broader geopolitical developments, such as a potential resolution to international crises, might restore traditional transit routes, including those through Russia. This outcome could shift the focus of current efforts but would not address the underlying need for long-term regional transport strategies.
The observations shows the need for enhanced collaboration among IDBs, governments, and other stakeholders to overcome the challenges of fragmented coordination and ensure meaningful progress in Central Asia’s transport sector.
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