Prospects of Transporting Kazakhstan’s Oil Using the So-called "Middle Corridor"

Abstract

In January, 2023 the President of Kazakhstan welcomed the signing of an agreement between the Abu Dhabi Ports Group and KazMunaiGas National Company on a strategic partnership. Tokayev noted that the country intends to become a full-fledged transport hub in Central Asia and in the Caspian Sea region. Kazakhstan is working on the diversification of transport corridors, paying particular attention to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the International North-South Transport Corridor. Meanwhile, UAE aims at establishing a mutually beneficial partnership and providing various maritime services and solutions in the Caspian Sea and Central Asian region. The organization specializes in building ports, economic zones, and the development of logistics and digital businesses for their international partners. Dubai-based port operator DP World is reportedly also planning investment in freezone project and is said to invest $1bn in Kazakhstan Banking & Finance. There are plans to carry out joint projects with Abu Dhabi Ports/ DP World to develop the infrastructure of seaports in order to strengthen economic ties between Kazakhstan and the UAE, including partnerships in the transport and logistics sector. Keywords: Kazakhstan, UAE, Oil, Gas, “Middle Corridor”, Energy Security, Energy, Port Infrastructure.