Study Visit to Germany Strengthens Business Cooperation along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
Representatives of transport and logistics companies and industry associations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia visited Germany from 18 to 24 October 2026 to explore business opportunities and strengthen cooperation along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC), also known as the Middle Corridor. Organised by GIZ on behalf of the German Government and the European Union, the study visit connected regional businesses with German companies, industry associations and logistics experts in Hamburg, Leipzig and Berlin.
The programme focused on practical solutions to the key challenges facing the corridor, particularly high transport costs, unpredictable transit times and complex cross-border procedures. Visits to HHLA’s Container Terminal Altenwerder in Hamburg and a terminal operated by Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-StraBe (DUSS) in Leipzig demonstrated the importance of efficient multimodal transport, coordinated logistics operations and reliable information exchange. Business events provided opportunities for participants to present infrastructure projects and transport services, establish contacts with potential partners and explore cooperation in areas such as digital freight documentation, cargo handling, warehousing and shipment tracking.
A highlight of the visit was participation in BVL Supply Chain CX in Berlin, where GIZ and the German Logistics Association (BVL) organised events on the corridor’s role in global supply chains and opportunities for international business partnerships. The programme concluded with the business event “Making the TCTC Work - Connecting Businesses along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor”, hosted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the German Eastern Business Association (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft) and GIZ. Discussions also highlighted the importance of digitalising trade documents, streamlining customs and border procedures, and identifying suitable financing and support instruments for logistics and infrastructure investments.
The study visit underscored the growing interest in closer economic cooperation between Germany, Central Asia and the South Caucasus. While modern infrastructure remains essential, the corridor’s long-term competitiveness also depends on effective coordination among transport operators, efficient administrative procedures and predictable transport costs and delivery times. By bringing businesses together and facilitating direct exchanges, the visit laid the groundwork for potential partnerships and joint initiatives to strengthen regional connectivity and make the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor a more reliable and competitive link between Asia and Europe.
