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

During the mission, the delegation visited major border crossing points on the border with Uzbekistan, as well as the seaport of Aktau. Following ITC’s structured, multi-stage diagnostic process—which combines expert analysis, on-site observation, and the development of evidence-based analytical outputs—the team monitored clearance procedures in real time, conducted interviews with customs and other government authorities, and held in-depth consultations with freight forwarders, customs brokers, carriers, and foreign trade operators.

Initial findings revealed recurring issues in risk-management procedures and the operation of the electronic queuing system, underscoring the need to improve coordination, system interoperability, and data-exchange mechanisms. The information gathered will form the basis for practical recommendations aimed at streamlining procedures and aligning operational practices with Kazakhstan’s ongoing reforms on digitalization and harmonization.

Special attention during the mission was also given to the need to ensure greater predictability of border-crossing times and to strengthen inter-agency cooperation. These issues point to deeper structural and procedural gaps in digital integration, infrastructure, and traffic-flow management, which require targeted reforms.

“The efficiency of cross-border trade begins with a clear understanding of conditions on the ground,” noted Madina Kazhimova, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. “Field inspections make it possible to identify not only technical but also institutional barriers hindering the free movement of goods. This is an important step towards turning strategic priorities into tangible improvements for businesses.”

“It is essential to see first-hand how processes work on the ground—only then can we determine what changes are truly needed for reforms to be felt not just on paper but in the day-to-day operations of businesses,” stated Nurlan Kulbatyrov, Managing Director of QazTrade JSC. “This mission enabled us to bring together the perspectives of both public and private stakeholders, building a robust evidence base for enhancing the efficiency of border crossing points. The resulting recommendations will also feed into the preparation of Kazakhstan’s Second National Report on Trade Facilitation, which is expected to be presented at the end of this year.”

Based on the findings, the ITC will prepare a concise analytical paper outlining key operational challenges, gaps between policy and practice, and short- to medium-term recommendations for procedural improvements. The Ministry of Trade and Integration and QazTrade JSC will use these materials to support Kazakhstan’s efforts to implement digital and streamlined border management, reinforcing the country’s role as a key transit hub on the Eurasian logistics map.