U.S. Business Delegation Explores Middle Corridor Trade Routes

A U.S. business delegation, certified by the U.S. Commercial Service and supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, is conducting a trade mission along the Middle Corridor to explore economic opportunities. The mission began in Kazakhstan, where delegates inspected infrastructure in Aktau and met with Mangystau region leadership. The journey continued to Azerbaijan, featuring visits to the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Alat Free Economic Zone, as well as meetings with Azerbaijani ministers of economy, transport, digital development, and foreign affairs.

Following the visit to Baku, Jeff Erlikh of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan highlighted the need for improved digital and physical connectivity. He specifically noted that Kazakhstan's Kuryk port requires investment in dredging and ship capacity to reach the development level of Azerbaijan's Alat port. To streamline cargo transit, the delegation discussed the implementation of a "single window" system with customs officials.

The mission explores high-value industrial expansions, including a proposal by a delegation company to build an oil refinery near Aktau to process crude oil for the Trans-Caspian route. The trade mission concludes on September 12 in Georgia, where delegates will examine customs procedures and transport routes to strengthen Eurasian economic cooperation.