# Turkey‑Central Asia economic cooperation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkeycentral-asia-economic-cooperation
> Updated: 2026-08-05T09:10:25.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026 Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to Turkey announced a plan to raise bilateral trade from $1.5 billion to $5 billion within two years, backed by both presidents. The initiative highlighted the $912 MW Kazarman Hydroelectric Power Plant, awarded to Turkey’s Ihlas Holding, as a flagship project aimed at boosting Kyrgyz energy independence and regional standing.

A week later, Kazakhstan unveiled an 800‑km Aral‑Hazar highway that will shorten the China‑Europe rail corridor and create a continuous land link to Turkey via the Middle Corridor. President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev framed the highway as a strategic economic and military asset. Simultaneously, a delegation led by İzmir’s mayor visited Kazakhstan, and the first direct İzmir‑Almaty flight was launched, further cementing transport and tourism ties.

Together, the two announcements illustrate Turkey’s expanding role in Central Asian infrastructure, energy, and trade, moving from a bilateral hydro project in Kyrgyzstan to a broader multimodal corridor that connects Kazakhstan, Turkey, and the wider Eurasian network.

## Claims

- İzmir Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay led a delegation to Kazakhstan visiting Almaty, Chimkent and Turkestan. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The first direct İzmir‑Almaty flight was launched on 31 July 2026 by SunExpress. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The delegation discussed strengthening cultural, tourism and trade cooperation, building on a 22‑year partnership with Chimkent. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Kazakhstan is building an 800‑kilometre Aral‑Hazar highway. (single source)
- The highway will shorten the China‑Europe distance by about 1,000 kilometres. (single source)
- Delivery time along the route will be reduced to three days. (single source)
- President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev described the highway as the economic locomotive of Kazakhstan. (single source)
- The highway will connect Chinese border to Kazakh ports Aktau and Kuryk, linking further to Turkey via Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Kazakhstan‑Turkey Aral‑Hazar Highway Project Moves Forward

Kazakhstan builds the 800 km Aral‑Hazar highway to shorten China‑Europe trade, while İzmir Mayor Cemil Tugay visits Kazakhstan and inaugurates a direct İzmir‑Almaty flight.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kazakhstanturkey-aralhazar-highway-project-moves-forward

### 2026-07-27: Kyrgyzstan targets $5 billion trade with Turkey and backs $912 MW Kazarman hydro project

Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to Turkey says trade will grow from $1.5 bn to $5 bn in two years, urging Turkish investment in multiple sectors and spotlighting the 912 MW Kazarman hydro plant built by Ihlas Holding.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kyrgyzstan-targets-5-billion-trade-with-turkey-and-backs-912-mw-kazarman-hydro-project

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Cite as: Turkey‑Central Asia economic cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkeycentral-asia-economic-cooperation