
The Russian Federation is exploring the possibility of attracting Chinese companies and financial institutions to the large-scale construction and financing of a new highway along the Caspian Sea coast, which will provide direct access to Asian markets. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin stated this in an interview with RIA Novosti, emphasizing the country's commitment to developing key transport infrastructure through extra-budgetary and foreign sources.
To date, approximately 20 highway transport projects have undergone the Ministry of Transport's expert review process, demonstrating high economic efficiency for the entire region. One of the flagship projects within the North-South International Corridor is the creation of the Eastern Automobile Route along the Caspian Sea. This strategic route is designed to reliably connect Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, and, in the long term, provide end-to-end access to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, attracting foreign capital to these infrastructure projects will significantly accelerate their implementation and reduce the burden on the state budgets of participating countries, creating new commercial incentives in the Eurasian space.