A new maritime route is on the table. Kazakhstan and Oman plan to develop a trade corridor through Omani ports, potentially giving Kazakh businesses another route to markets across the Gulf, the Indian Ocean, Asia and Africa, DKNews.kz reports.
The initiative was discussed during expanded talks between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in Astana. According to the official statement published by Akorda, the two sides also identified energy, investment, agriculture, digitalization, healthcare and artificial intelligence as priority areas for deeper cooperation.
Oman Could Give Kazakhstan Another Route to Global Markets
Transport and logistics emerged as one of the most economically significant parts of the talks.
Kazakhstan occupies a strategic position on overland trade routes linking Asia and Europe. Oman, meanwhile, offers direct maritime access to the Gulf, the Indian Ocean and markets across Asia and Africa.
Haitham bin Tariq Al Said said these advantages could complement each other and specifically proposed developing a trade corridor through Omani ports.
«We welcome the implementation of projects bringing together our sovereign investment institutions, private sectors and specialized government entities. Connectivity is another area of major importance. Kazakhstan occupies a strategic position along major global trade corridors connecting Asia and Europe, while Oman provides direct maritime access to key markets across the Gulf, the Indian Ocean, Asia and Africa. Building on these complementary advantages opens up significant opportunities for growth and offers great value to both countries. Therefore, we look forward to advancing cooperation in transport and logistics, including the development of a trade corridor through Omani ports, as well as strengthening air connectivity between our countries,» the Sultan of Oman said.
No specific route, cargo volumes, tariffs or launch date for the proposed corridor have yet been announced.
Dunga Oil Field Anchors Energy Cooperation
The relationship already extends beyond prospective transport projects.
Tokayev highlighted several joint initiatives currently being implemented, including:
- development of the Dunga oil field;
- Solidcore Resources operations in the Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions;
- a joint investment fund with the Oman Investment Authority;
- hotel infrastructure projects;
- resort infrastructure development.
Dunga is particularly significant because Omani capital is already involved in the project, giving the two countries an existing investment base on which to build further cooperation.
The talks therefore focused not only on launching new initiatives but also on expanding projects already connecting Kazakh and Omani investors.
Astana and Muscat Prepare a Broad Package of Agreements
Tokayev said the negotiations would result in a significant package of bilateral agreements covering several sectors.
«Following the talks, we will sign a significant package of bilateral agreements covering various areas of economic cooperation, including energy, transport and logistics, agriculture, information technology and digitalization, healthcare, as well as other sectors. In addition, we will adopt a new Joint Statement outlining the priority areas of our partnership,» the President said.
The scope suggests Kazakhstan and Oman are seeking to move beyond cooperation concentrated in individual investment projects.
Oman identified opportunities in:
- energy and mining;
- agriculture and food security;
- transport and logistics;
- financial services;
- tourism;
- technology;
- artificial intelligence.
The Sultan also called for projects bringing together sovereign investment institutions, private companies and specialized government agencies.
Investment Institutions Could Drive the Next Stage
The two countries already have a joint investment mechanism involving the Oman Investment Authority.
This could become particularly important as Kazakhstan and Oman attempt to translate high-level agreements into commercial projects.
For Kazakhstan, Oman's appeal combines capital with geography: the country has investment resources as well as ports providing access to maritime markets that Kazakhstan cannot reach directly.
For Oman, Kazakhstan offers access to Central Asia and overland corridors connecting Asian and European markets.
Diplomatic Relations Will Mark 35 Years in 2027
Tokayev described Oman as a time-tested and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab world.
The two countries will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Haitham bin Tariq Al Said's trip is also his first visit to Central Asia as Sultan of Oman.
«We regard Oman as a time-tested and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab world. Next year, we will proudly mark a significant milestone – the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Oman. Over this period, we have laid a solid foundation for transitioning to a new and dynamic stage of partnership, built on longstanding ties of friendship, mutual support and solidarity. The recent productive visit to Astana by a high-level Omani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said was a clear testament to the growing synergy between our countries,» Tokayev said.
The Sultan, in turn, pointed to high-level exchanges and the work of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission as the foundation for expanding cooperation.
Why the Omani Corridor Matters for Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, making diversified access to maritime trade routes an important economic issue.
A corridor through Oman could provide an additional southern gateway to the Gulf and Indian Ocean markets. In practical terms, however, its impact will depend on details that have yet to be disclosed.
Key questions include:
- which ports and overland routes will be used;
- how many transit countries will be involved;
- what tariffs will apply;
- how long deliveries will take;
- which types of cargo will use the corridor;
- what volumes the route could handle.
For now, the key outcome is a high-level commitment to explore and develop the corridor rather than the launch of a completed transport route.
Air Links Are Also Part of the Plan
Maritime logistics is only one part of the connectivity agenda.
The Sultan specifically highlighted stronger air links between Kazakhstan and Oman. Better direct connectivity could support tourism, investment and business contacts alongside freight and trade.
Haitham bin Tariq Al Said concluded the talks by inviting Tokayev to visit Oman at a convenient time.
The emerging Kazakhstan-Oman economic framework therefore rests on several interconnected elements: energy projects such as Dunga, sovereign investment cooperation, new bilateral agreements, stronger air links and a potential trade corridor through Omani ports.
Earlier, DKNews.kz reported on the Sultan of Oman's state visit and the roughly $3 billion portfolio of joint Kazakhstan-Oman projects. The expanded talks have now provided a clearer picture of where the partnership could move next — toward ports, investment, energy, technology and artificial intelligence.
