DP World and Kazakhstan government sign MoU to develop port system
Efficient multimodal transport is key to Kazakhstan’s trade ambitions says DP World Group chairman
DP World has signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU) with the Kazakhstan government. The agreements will see the two entities working together to develop a new Port Community System (PCS), and integrate custom processes.
Through the deployment of PCS, the Kazakhstan government aims to make it easier to do business within the country’s ports and free zones. Part of the upgrade will involve paperless transactions that remove administrative office queues, delays and duplication. Dubai Trade, a DP World company, developed the PCS electronic platform, which allows organisations dealing with maritime, inland and airport processes to exchange information.
The first agreement was signed between DP World and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) for the establishment of a joint venture company to implement and manage the PCS system. The platform will be used to create 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.
“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. That’s why these announcements today are important for Kazakhstan, providing smart trade solutions for the country and to increase efficiencies for business,” said DP World group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
During a panel discussion at the Astana Economic Forum that focused on the New Silk Road, Bin Sulayem said that multimodal connectivity is key to realising Kazakhstan President’s ‘path to the future’ vision, which includes the ‘Nurly Zhol’ – a $9 billion infrastructure spending programme – to help prepare a future-ready economy.
