Alstom invests € 50 million to expand Kazakhstan's rail network and strengthen Europe-Asia connectivity

Alstom is accelerating a € 50 million investment programme to expand its rail services network in Kazakhstan, reinforcing the country's position as one of the most important transport corridors linking Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan plays a strategic role in connecting East and West through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), which has become increasingly important for trade and supply chains between the two continents. The investment will strengthen railway maintenance infrastructure, improve freight and passenger rail services, and enhance the efficiency and reliability of one of Eurasia's fastest-growing transport routes.

The investment programme includes the expansion of Alstom's service centres in Astana, Almaty, Shu, and Arys, alongside the modernization of the electric locomotive service centre in Almaty. Construction of the Almaty upgrade began in 2026 under an investment agreement signed with the Government of Kazakhstan in 2023 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

Once completed, the upgraded facility will provide maintenance services for 95 passenger locomotives and more than 400 freight locomotives, improving fleet availability and reducing maintenance times. The programme also incorporates advanced digital technologies, including locally developed software and predictive maintenance solutions, to optimize asset performance and modernize railway operations. A service depot in Shu was commissioned in 2025, while construction is also progressing on a flagship service centre in Astana as part of Alstom's integrated rail services network.

Alstom has operated in Kazakhstan since 2010 and currently employs more than 1,300 people across seven industrial sites in four cities, making it the only manufacturer of electric locomotives in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The € 50 million expansion programme is expected to create around 700 additional jobs, further strengthening the country's railway industry while supporting long-term economic development, technology transfer, and regional connectivity.

The expansion also supports the continued development of the Middle Corridor, which is handling a growing share of rail freight between China and Europe. Kazakhstan and China are cooperating to expand border capacity, modernise railway infrastructure, and develop logistics hubs to accommodate increasing cargo volumes and improve transport efficiency. As trade between Asia and Europe grows, these investments are helping reduce transit times, strengthen supply chain resilience, and position Kazakhstan as a leading logistics hub for east-west trade.

Source:

Alstom Accelerates €50 Million Investment to Expand Rail Services in Kazakhstan 23 June 2026

Kazakhstan and China are expanding cooperation 04 April 2026