Kazakhstan has recently launched two major railway infrastructure projects aimed at improving the efficiency of the country's transportation network and enhancing infrastructure connectivity with China. Both projects use the EPC general contracting model, which provides significant market opportunities for international contractors.

The third Kazakhstan-China border railway port project was officially announced on May 22, 2025. Located in Abai State, the project will build a new single-track railway and supporting port facilities to connect the Seme-Aktogai railway line, and the construction period is expected to last until July 2027. The project adopts a turnkey project model, with payment methods of 30% advance, 60% progress payment and 10% final payment, and implements the highest safety standards in Kazakhstan (level 1 responsibility level). After the completion of the railway port, it will further optimize cross-border logistics between China and Kazakhstan and promote regional economic and trade cooperation.

Another key project, the Atenkori-Rhetgen double-track railway, has launched bidding on December 27, 2024. The project spans Almaty Prefecture to Hot Suzhou and is scheduled to be completed in December 2026 to increase the capacity of existing lines through the construction of a double-track railway. The project also adopts the EPC general contracting model, with a payment plan of 30% advance, 68% progress payment and 2% final payment, and follows the highest safety standards in Kazakhstan.

Bidders need to have successful experience in railway EPC projects, and contractors with a track record of projects in Kazakhstan or the CIS will have a competitive advantage. In addition, the bidder needs to submit detailed technical solutions, competitive business quotations, and provide company qualification certificates and performance guarantees. The specific deadline is subject to the information released by the official procurement platform of Kazakhstan.

Analysts pointed out that these two railway projects are not only an important part of Kazakhstan's infrastructure modernization, but also provide important opportunities for Chinese enterprises to participate in international engineering construction, especially the construction of the third Kazakhstan-China railway port, which will significantly improve the logistics efficiency between the two countries and help the development of regional economic integration.(This article is from the official website of Jiandao www.seetao.com it must not be reproduced without permission, otherwise it will be investigated, please indicate the reprint of Jiandao.com + original link) See the editor of the infrastructure engineering column of Jiandao.com/Gao Xue