site.btaBulgaria, Kazakhstan Agree to Double Permits for Freight Transport

Bulgaria and Kazakhstan have agreed to double the quota of bilateral, transit and to/from third-country permits for freight road transport in 2026. The agreement was reached by Bulgarian Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Dimitar Nedyalkov and Kazakhstan's Deputy Transport Minister Maksat Kaliakparov during a meeting of the Joint Bulgarian-Kazakh Commission on Road Transport, held in Astana on October 29-30, the Transport and Communications Ministry in Sofia said.

"Bulgaria and Kazakhstan have significant potential to develop transport connectivity, particularly through active participation in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. This strategic route is crucial for links between Europe and Asia," said Deputy Minister Nedyalkov. He added that strengthening relations between the two countries sends a positive signal for improving the business environment and investment prospects.

"The Joint Commission last met in 2012. After 13 years, we have renewed the dialogue and plan for the next session to be held in Bulgaria in 2026," Nedyalkov said.

The sides agreed to organize a pilot truck convoy from China through Kazakhstan to Bulgaria. The aim is to test the route under real conditions, identify potential challenges and bottlenecks, and take the necessary steps to address them. At the same time, possibilities for establishing logistics centres in Bulgaria to serve the distribution of goods to other European countries will be explored.

At the conclusion of the session, a bilateral protocol was signed on the agreements reached and the next steps in cooperation between Bulgaria and Kazakhstan.