Today, at a joint session of the Chambers of Parliament, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted:

"We need to focus on another crucial element of the country's infrastructure framework — the transport and logistics sector. This sector is of strategic importance.

All countries in our region are paying attention to this area, which is why competition is intensifying. Given the significant contribution of the railway sector to freight transport, considerable attention is being paid to the construction and modernisation of new mainlines and stations.

Last year, traffic was launched on the second tracks of the Dostyk – Moiynty section and the Almaty bypass line. This year, construction of the Moiynty – Kyzyljar and Darbaza – Maktaaral railway lines is being completed, and next year the Bakhty – Ayagoz mainline will be commissioned.

We must also accomplish the task of improving the country's highways. In the past year alone, repair works began on 13,000 kilometres of roads, of which 6,000 kilometres were put into operation.

Such large-scale work has been carried out for the first time in the country's history. The modernisation of automobile border checkpoints is to be completed next year.

As a result of the efforts undertaken, over the past five years the volume of transit freight by road transport has doubled, reaching six million tonnes.

Last year, the revenues of road carriers amounted to one and a half trillion tenge, which is practically comparable to the figures of rail transport. All this points to the enormous potential of the domestic road haulage industry. Therefore, such entrepreneurs should be supported in every possible way.

In the aviation sector, the expansion of the route network and the formation of fully-fledged air hubs are proceeding at an accelerated pace.

From this perspective, the construction of a new airport in Astana is a task that cannot be delayed. Construction of the airport must begin as soon as possible.

I consider the creation of a national cargo air carrier to be an important decision. This will significantly strengthen our position in international logistics."