DOI - Mendel University Press

DOI identifiers

DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-082-5-0366

Innovation and Infrastructure Competitiveness in the Railway Sector: Comparative Insights from Kazakhstan and the V4 Countries

Zhuldyz Yespolova ORCID...1
1 VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 2172/15, Czech Republic

Kazakhstan's railway sector occupies a strategic position in national economic development. This paper explores the contribution of innovation to strengthening the competitiveness of Kazakhstan's railway sector within the wider framework of regional development and Eurasian transport integration. Kazakhstan's modernization efforts - such as digital transformation, infrastructure upgrades, and international partnerships - have enhanced operational efficiency and service performance, yet their implications reach beyond the domestic level. The study draws a comparison with innovation trajectories in the railway sectors of Central European countries, notably those of the Visegrad Group (V4), where smart mobility initiatives, digital advancement, and sustainable transport policies play a crucial role in driving regional competitiveness. By connecting Kazakhstan's innovation-driven strategies with the European Union's smart and green transport agenda, the paper uncovers potential avenues for technological cooperation and shared development. The results underline that innovation within transport systems serves not only as a catalyst for industrial progress but also as a mechanism for fostering regional connectivity and integration across the broader Eurasian corridor.

Keywords: Kazakhstan, Central Europe, Visegrad Group, Railway Innovation, Competitiveness, Regional Development, Sustainable Mobility, Eurasian Connectivity

pages: 366-375, online: 2026



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