A total of 52 checkpoints are functioning along the perimeter of the state border, modernization works are carried out synchronously with neighboring countries within the framework of road maps. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Transport Satzhan Ablaliyev at the Government session. 

Ensuring effective operation of checkpoints is a priority in the development of transit potential of the country. To increase the capacity of checkpoints, the Ministry of Transport has developed a number of measures. In particular, it is proposed to transfer to round-the-clock operation of checkpoints, where there is a high intensity of traffic. Control and customs procedures should be conducted on the territory of the country, leaving only minimal operations at the checkpoint itself. Also among the proposals is the creation of a single database with the controlling authorities of neighboring countries for a single submission of documents by carriers. According to the Vice Minister, all this will create conditions for a 4-fold increase in the throughput capacity of checkpoints and reducing the inspection time to 20 minutes.

"In general, road transportation in Kazakhstan is one of the key sectors of the economy. 370 Kazakhstani carriers are now involved in long-distance international transportation, their total fleet is 7.6 thousand units of motor vehicles. Within the framework of intergovernmental agreements transportation is carried out with 42 countries, where the permit system is provided. Annually we exchange about 170 thousand forms of permits," Ablaliyev said.

In Kazakhstan for the first 9 months of this year, the volume of freight traffic amounted to 5.5 million tons, which is 22% more than last year's figure. At the same time, the share of domestic operators leaves 42%. Positive dynamics is also noted in the field of transit transportation, where the total volume increased by 44%. The main share of transit is accounted for the PRC: transit has already doubled in this direction.

"According to expert estimates, up to 1.6 billion tons of cargo are transported annually from China to Europe by sea. Of this volume, less than 1% is transported by road, transiting through our country. According to the world practice, medical products and expensive goods requiring delivery in a short period of time are transported in this way. It is expected that the annual growth will continue in the next few years and by 2029 the volume of transit traffic will grow 5 times, reaching 1 million tons," Deputy Minister said. 

The introduction of visa-free regime with China this year also contributes to these plans. A new agreement on transit travel through the territories of the two countries has been signed. In addition, China became a member of the European system of simplified border crossing. The 3-fold increase in Chinese transit can provide revenues to the Kazakh economy in the amount of about 263 billion tenge annually.

In order to reorient transportation from sea to road and increase the share of participation of domestic operators, it is planned to create bonded warehouses, increase the capacity of checkpoints and domestic vehicle fleet, as well as the introduction of an effective system of distribution of permit forms.

The advantage of such sites is that imported goods can be stored here indefinitely, without going through customs procedures and without paying taxes to re-sort them. The agency believes that they should be located in major cities, taking into account the interests of international marketplaces (Ozon and Wildberries). At the moment it is necessary to clearly regulate the activities of bonded warehouses at the legislative level. The Ministry of Transport intends to carry out this work in cooperation with the state bodies involved.

The availability of a sufficient vehicle fleet also plays a key role in the competitiveness of domestic carriers. Kazakhstan intends to increase the number of available vehicles for road transportation up to two times in the coming years. For this purpose they intend to attract to the country representative offices of large operators working in the international market. It is also planned to create preferential conditions for the purchase of vehicles designed for international transportation. In addition, they will develop domestic production of truck tractors. 

The Deputy Minister also informed about the work carried out within the framework of creation of new routes. 

"To date, work is underway to conclude intergovernmental agreements in the field of road transportation with the UAE, Denmark, Macedonia and Portugal. The agreement with the Emirates will provide our carriers with access to the Persian Gulf ports and access to the cargo transportation markets of India, Pakistan and other new countries. At the same time, conditions are created for fair competition among domestic carriers by introducing an automated system for issuing foreign permit forms in the presence of a specific order for cargo," Ablaliyev said. 

According to the Deputy Minister, in recent years there has been a positive dynamics of transportation in the direction of the EU countries. For example, in 2022, the share of Kazakh carriers in this market increased by 13%, amounting to 48%. We are talking about additional revenue to the country's economy of about 80 billion tenge. However, to date, 8 checkpoints out of 13, located between Belarus and the EU, are closed. All 8 checkpoints between Russia and Finland are also not functioning.

"According to the information of the Belarusian side, the European checkpoints operate at no more than 40% of the normative capacity. Due to this situation, the idle time of Kazakhstani vehicles at the Belarusian-Lithuanian and Latvian borders is increasing. Therefore, we have held negotiations with Turkmenistan and Iran to ensure free transit when domestic carriers use the Southern route to deliver cargo to Europe. Transportation freight increases, delivery time increases, but this route is an alternative for the transportation of sanctioned goods, as well as when closing all the checkpoints of the EU countries bordering Russia and Belarus," the Deputy Minister said. 

Ensuring the safety of highways is one of the main tasks of transport control. At present 157 thousand kilometers of highways are controlled by 43 mobile checkpoints. In December 2022, the Law defining the order of operation of automated measuring stations (AMS) was adopted. The document provides for the authority of akimats to install such stations on local highways, as well as the mandatory passage through vehicles with payload capacity over 12 tons. 

"A joint Roadmap has been developed with the ministries of transportation, internal affairs and the Astana Akimat. In the capital has already started work on installation of ASI at the main 6 points of entry to the city. Thus, all trucks will undergo the weighing procedure, which will ensure the safety of city roads. In total, Akimats are planning to carry out relevant work on installation of 150 such measuring stations on local roads, and the Ministry - about 70 on national roads. In general, all the above-mentioned measures will increase the share of road transport in the transit potential of the country and maintain the road infrastructure in proper condition," Satzhan Ablaliyev concluded.

#Government session #Infrastructural development #Logistics #Transport