Altynkol-Khorgos railroad border entry point to open by end of 2012

Railroad border entry point for Altynkol (Kazakhstan) – Khorgos (China) trains will open by the end of 2012, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the press-service of the Customs Control Commission of Kazakhstan Ministry of Finance. The period of completion of works on the entry point was discussed at the meeting of a sub-commission for entry points and customs cooperation of Kazakhstan-Chinese Cooperation Commission held on August 21-24 in Chinese Suzhou. This decision is called to increase the commodities turnover between the two countries, as well as to facilitate development of the transit transportation. Besides, the agreements were made on the necessity of raising the status of Kolzhat (Kazakhstan) – Dulaty (China) entry point from bilateral to international one. The parties also agreed to form a joint work group to study the reasons of accumulation of cargoes at border crossing points and increase the capacity of the railroad point Dostyk (Kazakhstan) – Alashankou (China). The meeting also covered opening of a railroad transit international route Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe. The decision was made to consider running a pilot project on speeding up the passage of agricultural commodities at Bakhty (Kazakhstan) – Pokitu (China) entry point. The parties will continue cooperation in the experience exchange between the customs authorities of both countries. China expressed readiness to send professors of Shanghai Customs Academy to the training and research center of Kazakhstan Customs Control Commission. The parties also discussed education of Kazakhstan customs employees in Shanghai Customs Academy.