In the current geopolitical realities, Kazakhstan can become a key transport and logistics hub of the Eurasian continent, according to the Association of Kazakhstan Freight Rail Carriers. In this regard, large-scale work is being carried out: new infrastructure is being built and existing infrastructure is being modernized, the logistics and terminal network is being expanded, and rolling stock is being updated, APK News reports.
All industry participants are making a contribution: the state, the monopolist, and business. Along with this, measures are being taken to improve the "soft infrastructure". This area is an equally important component of success in the development of transit transportation.
"Since 2023, a pilot project has been successfully implemented to eliminate the need to place marks from control services on transport documents and automate the process of providing scanned copies of transport and accompanying documents to customs authorities to carry out customs operations upon import," the carriers explained.
This project provides for a reduction in the time for checking goods when imported into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union through checkpoints in Kazakhstan, automation of operations for customs, veterinary and quarantine control from the moment of preliminary notification until the end of customs clearance and the issuance of a transit declaration.
The project is valid for transportation within Kazakhstan along the routes China-Central Asia and China-Aktau seaport.
Also, in order to speed up the processing of shipping documents at the border, electronic data exchange has been implemented with the railways of Azerbaijan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan.
“We consider it important to continue this work, and also not to forget to synchronize within the country. In the context of the development of the institution of private cargo carriers, it is important to efficiently and in advance resolve issues of digitalization of the industry,” the Association believes.