Kazakh PM orders to strengthen efforts to create cross-border hubs and attract investments

The Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov considered the issue of development of cross-border hubs, El.kz cites primeminister.kz.

The Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev reported on measures to create a network of cross-border trade and economic hubs, attract investments and strengthen the export potential of the country. Deputy Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov, General Director of Semurg Invest Nurzhan Marabayev also made reports, and akims of a number of regions were heard.

Within the framework of fulfilment of the Head of State's instruction to establish Kazakhstan as the main transport hub in the Central Asian region, the Government is carrying out relevant work. In this direction, the creation of cross-border hubs is of particular importance for the development of cross-border trade, industrial cooperation and expansion of transport and transit potential of the country.

Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev reported to the head of the Government that today work is underway on the formation of 5 cross-border hubs, to the territories of which are already connected by railway and road:

• Khorgos hub will be a key element in trade and economic co-operation with China,
• The Caspian hub will act as a link on the trans-Caspian route,
• The Eurasia Cross-Border Trade Centre will serve as an impetus for the development of industrial cooperation with the Russian Federation,
• Central Asia ICICC will promote the development of industrial cooperation and distribution of goods on the border with Uzbekistan,
• Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex will create conditions for the implementation of projects on the border with Kyrgyzstan.

In addition, the creation of container hubs in the ports of Aktau and Kuryk in the Mangystau region and multimodal air hubs in the airports of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and Aktobe is being considered.

For successful implementation of the projects, an Operational Working Group was established under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin. At the moment, the projects are transferred to the jurisdiction of local executive bodies, practical implementation will be provided jointly with investors.

Prime Minister emphasised the importance of strengthening the work to find investors and increase the investment attractiveness of hubs. It was noted that the full-fledged launch of all planned projects will reduce the time of cargo transit, increase the volume of industrial production, increase tax revenues and create new jobs.

"The implementation of the Central Asia hub project on the border with Uzbekistan will increase the capacity of the railway infrastructure by 20 million tonnes per year. The creation of a container hub in the port of Aktau will ensure an increase in cargo transshipment from 92,000 to 300,000 containers per year. In general, the hub system should form a single trade and transport space with our trading partners. This will significantly increase trade turnover between the countries and strengthen strategic relations with neighbouring states. To obtain these planned effects requires mobilisation of all resources of interested state bodies and akimats," Olzhas Bektenov stressed.

At the same time, it is important to effectively use the potential of East-West, North-South and Trans-Caspian international transport corridors, which provide access to the markets of China, the Persian Gulf countries, the Caucasus and Europe.

Head of the Government instructed the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration together with Akimats to form a pool of potential foreign investors for each of the hubs and to work out their participation in the projects, as well as to determine the terms of work of management companies. In addition, it is necessary to work on a permanent basis to fill the hubs with promising projects.

The Ministry of Industry together with the Ministries of National Economy, Finance and Akimats should within a month take measures to create and expand special economic zones for the development of cross-border hubs. Akimats are instructed to provide all hubs with basic infrastructure, including electricity, water supply, transport routes and communications.

Olzhas Bektenov paid special attention to the issue of providing electricity to the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex. The Ministry of Energy and the Akimat of Zhambyl region have been instructed to ensure construction of a substation in Korday district as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Trade and Integration is tasked with ensuring effective coordination of all participants in the process of creating and developing cross-border hubs.

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