The International Trade Centre (ITC), in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan and QazTrade JSC, conducted a field mission to key border and seaport facilities from 28 July to 1 August 2025. The objective was to diagnose operational bottlenecks at critical border crossing points. This border assessment was carried out under the EU-funded "Ready4Trade Central Asia: Fostering Prosperity through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor" project, implemented by ITC.

The mission team visited major border checkpoints with Uzbekistan and the seaport of Aktau. As part of ITC’s structured, multi-step diagnostic process, which combines expert analysis, field-level assessments, and the development of an evidence-based position paper, the on-site visit enabled experts to observe clearance procedures in real time, conduct structured interviews with customs and other border regulatory agencies, and hold in-depth consultations with freight forwarders, customs brokers, transport operators, and traders.

Initial findings reveal recurring challenges in risk management workflows and the electronic queuing system, highlighting the need for improved coordination, system interoperability, and enhanced data-sharing protocols. The insights gathered will inform actionable recommendations to streamline procedures and align operational practice with Kazakhstan’s ongoing digitalization and harmonization reforms.

The mission also emphasized the need for more predictable border crossing times and stronger interagency collaboration. These issues reflect broader structural and procedural gaps in digital integration, infrastructure, and traffic management that require targeted reform measures.

"The effectiveness of cross-border trade starts with a clear understanding of the situation on the ground," said Madina Kazhimova, Deputy Director of the Foreign Trade Activities Department at the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan. "The field audit helps identify not only technical but also institutional barriers that hinder the smooth movement of goods. It is an important step toward turning strategic priorities into tangible improvements for businesses."

"Ground-level engagement is essential to ensure that policy reforms translate into tangible improvements for traders and transport operators," said Nurlan Kulbatyrov, Managing Director of QazTrade JSC. "This mission has enabled us to triangulate feedback from public sector agencies and private sector stakeholders, providing a rich evidence base for enhancing border efficiency. The insights and recommendations gathered will also contribute to the preparation of Kazakhstan’s Second National Report on Trade Facilitation, which is expected to be unveiled later this year."

Building on the mission’s findings, ITC will develop a concise position paper outlining the main operational challenges, gaps between policy and practice, and short- to medium-term recommendations for procedural enhancements. The Ministry of Trade and Integration and QazTrade JSC will use these insights to support Kazakhstan’s efforts to implement streamlined, digitally enabled border management, reinforcing the country’s role as a key transit hub in the Eurasian logistics landscape.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1048985?lang=kk