Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia on February 18. During talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the two sides discussed developing political dialogue, expanding trade, and economic cooperation, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties (Caravan Info, February 18). The visit is illustrative of the growing relationship between Saudi Arabia and Central Asia.
Saudi Arabia is particularly interested in tapping into shifting connectivity in the heart of Eurasia (Gulf Research Center, April 25, 2025). Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the region’s biggest economies, attract most of the kingdom’s attention. Astana seeks to attract Saudi investments into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor). This corridor, if not an outright alternative to the northern Eurasian route passing through Russia, is at least a strong complementary route for East–West connectivity, including trade between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the European Union (see EDM, January 28, December 4, 2025). The Emirati company, Dubai PortsWorld, has stakes in two special economic zones in Kazakhstan. Because the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are economic competitors, Abu Dhabi’s investment in the region makes it highly likely that Riyadh will also expand its engagement (Ducascopy, March 25, 2018).
Investments in Middle Corridor-related transport infrastructure, such as Kazakhstan’s Aktau port, could be profitable for Saudi Arabia as the TITR expands. Other areas of potential bilateral cooperation include oil, gas, and uranium production, as these resources play a key role in the economies of both countries. Another key infrastructure project that makes Kazakhstan interesting to Saudi Arabia is the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which runs from Russia to the Middle East. Despite instability in the Middle East, which often disrupts the operation of the INSTC, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are interested in developing routes to reach Russia (Gulf Research Center, August 26, 2025; Povorot Rossii v Aziyu, December 14, 2025). Another connectivity project linking the regions is the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan corridor. Pakistan may be a crucial link given its growing ties with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia (Kursiv, February 3).
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Emil Avdaliani is a Research Fellow at the Turan Research Center.