Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • August 2019
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Kazakhstan Railways: From the Middle of Nowhere to a Center of Trade?

By: Willy Shih and Esel Çekin
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:28
ShareBar

Abstract

This case describes the evolution of Kazakhstan's rail connectivity strategy post-collapse of the Soviet Union and its now central role in China's Belt and Road Initiative. This meant shifting from a north-south orientation towards an east-west one, as well as the development of new border-crossing facilities, special economic zones, and a new middle route that crossed the Caspian Sea. Unlike many other BRI initiatives that involved loans from China, Kazakhstan funded the modernization and upgrade by itself. Now the question was how soon demand would grow to fill the waiting capacity, as other bottlenecks on the Trans-Eurasian land route connecting China with Europe were beyond the country's control.

Keywords

Geopolitics; China’s Infrastructure Exports: The ‘Belt And Road’ Initiative; Logistics; Trade; Economic Growth; Geopolitical Units; Geography; Rail Transportation; Rail Industry; Transportation Industry; Central Asia; Kazakhstan; China

Citation

Shih, Willy, and Esel Çekin. "Kazakhstan Railways: From the Middle of Nowhere to a Center of Trade?" Harvard Business School Case 620-020, August 2019.
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Willy C. Shih

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • September 2023
    • Faculty Research

    CMA CGM: Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Container Shipping

    By: Willy C. Shih
    • September 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Shad Process Flow Design Exercise: Kick-off Class

    By: Willy C. Shih
    • September–October 2023
    • Harvard Business Review

    The New Era of Industrial Policy Is Here

    By: Willy C. Shih
More from the Authors
  • CMA CGM: Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Container Shipping By: Willy C. Shih
  • Shad Process Flow Design Exercise: Kick-off Class By: Willy C. Shih
  • The New Era of Industrial Policy Is Here By: Willy C. Shih
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College