At the 1st Kazakh-German Transport and Logistics Forum, it became clear that connectivity has long been more than just infrastructure for Central Asia. It determines trade, investment, skilled workers and Kazakhstan’s future role between Europe and Asia.

When around 160 representatives from business, academia, politics and associations met at Satbayev University in Almaty on 14 May, the focus was not solely on transport routes. The Forum highlighted just how much Central Asia has developed into a strategic hub of international connectivity in recent years. Whereas the focus used to be primarily on transit, today the discussion centers on digital processes, reliable partnerships, skilled workers and viable investment projects.
“Transport corridors do not become efficient through geography alone. They do so when infrastructure, regulation, expertise, technology and business relationships grow together.” stated Joachim Fritz, Country Director for Kazakhstan, GIZ. This opens up new avenues of cooperation, particularly for Kazakh-German collaboration. For German companies, there is growing interest in reliable connections to Central Asia, the South Caucasus and further towards Asia.
The German Logistics Association (BVL) brought this networking concept to Almaty: The Middle Corridor should not merely be viewed as an alternative transport link, but as a platform for new markets, new partnerships and joint investments.
The forum was organized by Satbaye University in collaboration with BVL and GIZ.
MUST BE REPEATED NEXT YEAR!

-> Report of the event (english)

-> Report of the event (german)

The Black Sea as a strategic hub -  The expert forum organised on 23 April by the German Business Committee for Eastern Europe in collaboration with the BVL Chapter Eurasia at the Hamburg State Representation in Berlin focused on the strategic importance of the Black Sea region for European supply chains, energy policy and security policy. Around 80 guests from the worlds of politics, business, think tanks and international organisations discussed prospects for infrastructure development and the optimisation of transport corridors and logistics. Entitled “Connectivity of the Black Sea Region: Transport Corridors, Infrastructure Development and Logistics”, the event addressed the question of how the Black Sea region can be further developed as a central hub between Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East in the face of geopolitical upheavals and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In particular, the discussion focused on the Middle Corridor and its dynamic development, identified bottlenecks, and estimated the necessary investments in infrastructure. Firsthand accounts from the logistics sector, along with numerous facts and figures, made the panel discussion, moderated by the chairperson of the BVL Chapter Eurasia, highly informative.

-> Report of the event (german)



BVL Supply Chain CX is THE leading event in the logistics sector and was once again a resounding success this year. From 22 to 24 October at the Estrel Berlin, around 2,300 participants heard from 220 speakers and explored smart logistics solutions from 120 exhibitors and sponsors. A highlight of the congress was the Ambassador’s Talk on ‘The Middle Trade and Transport Corridor as a growth engine for economic development in the South Caucasus and Central Asia’. The ambassadors from the neighbouring countries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan focused on the dynamic development in the South Caucasus and Central Asia and highlighted the opportunities for German and Western European companies in the fields of infrastructure, port technology and energy. Other topics included the region’s wealth of raw materials, including energy sources, metals and rare earths, which can make an important contribution to diversification in volatile times. The Ambassador’s Talk was moderated by Mirco Nowak, Chairperson of the BVL Chapter Eurasia and CEO of the LUNO Group , which is involved in the development of port and logistics infrastructure along the Middle Corridor.

-> Report of the event (german)

A delegation from Satbayev University in Almaty visited Hamburg and Berlin. Following visits to HHLA Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG and HPC Hamburg Port Consulting GmbH, the delegation travelled to Berlin to take part in the BVL CX. Marat Idrissov from the Institute for Industrial Development was the main guest at “World in Focus live” and gave a talk on “Kazakhstan – Eurasia’s transit hub: infrastructure, digitalisation, partnership”. A signed Memorandum of Understanding between BVL and Satbayev University lays the foundation for the agreed regular exchange and cooperation in the fields of logistics, human resources development and cluster initiatives, which contribute to sustainable industrial growth and the international integration of Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

-> Presentation of Marat Idrissov (english)

Two intensive and productive days in Hamburg that brought the Middle Trade and Transport Corridor closer to Germany and our Hanseatic city. Under the motto “New Routes - New Markets”, around 200 participants gathered valuable information and contacts at the conference “Global Gateway and potential markets along the Middle Corridor” at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. Ministers, ambassadors, delegates and entrepreneurs from the countries bordering the middle corridor in Central Asia and the South Caucasus presented their measures to optimize supply chains along the route. Substantial investments in infrastructure offer lucrative potential for business in the planning, construction and operation of infrastructure in the port sector, railways, roads and logistics hubs. The World Bank and the EU Commission confirmed their strong interest in the sustainable development of the middle corridor, particularly in light of the dynamic economic growth in the neighbouring countries, where resilient and competitive logistics solutions are a key factor. The two panel discussions “Port and Logistics” and “Infrastructure Development: Projects and Financing” were highly informative thanks to the high-calibre panellists and great moderators Frank Busse and Heinrich Kerstgens. The day before, HPC Hamburg Port Consulting organized a port tour with a visit to HHLA's Burchardkai container terminal, followed by a welcome reception in the evening for intensive networking in the Elb-Panorama with a unique view over the Port of Hamburg.

-> Report of the event (english)