Global trade enabler, DP World, and the Kazakhstan government signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for the development of a port community system (PCS) and to integrate customs processes ahead of the Astana Economic Forum on June 15, 2017.
PCS is a one-stop electronic platform developed by DP World company, Dubai Trade, that enables the exchange of information between organisations involved in maritime, inland, and airport processes. The aim is to improve ease of doing business in Kazakhstans ports and freezones through paperless transactions that remove long queues in administrative offices, delays, and duplication.
The first agreement was signed between DP World and the National Company “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) for the establishment of a joint venture company to implement and manage the PCS system with the aim of creating a multimodal transport corridor (the Eurasian Transcontinental Corridor), featuring automated logistics processes for cargo delivery and the unification of logistics centres, sea and dry ports into a single transport and logistics network.
The second MoU was signed between DP World, KTZ, and the Committee of State Revenues of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Customs) to ensure the integration of customs processes into the online portal.
DP World group chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said: Our experience in Dubai and in the 40 countries where we operate globally has taught us that integrating services makes trade faster, safer and more efficient for our stakeholders attracting investment and helping business. Thats why these announcements today are important for Kazakhstan, providing smart trade solutions for the country and to increase efficiencies for business.
We have experience of delivering this at our flagship operation in Jebel Ali, where the Dubai Logistics Corridor connects road, rail, air, and sea transport providing seamless cargo movement through the Dubai Trade Portal with more than 50,000 transactions conducted each day.
Kazakhstan has tremendous potential and its leadership is working hard for its people putting in place the right policies and procedures. It is at the crossroads of Asia and although landlocked President Nazarbayevs commitment to improving internal and external connectivity to avoid the transportation trap will propel growth. We are proud to be working with the government to build one of the largest transport and logistics hubs in the region.
Earlier this year, DP World also announced its involvement in the development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Aktau to boost trade and logistics in the country. It builds on DP Worlds management advisory services contract with the Port of Aktau, Kazakhstans main cargo and bulk terminal on the Caspian Sea. The company also provides advisory services under a separate contract with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstans national railway company, for the development of the Khorgos SEZ and Inland Container Depot.