Shabdanaliev noted that in recent years, control from Kazakhstan has become significantly stricter, which is related to diplomatic mistakes made earlier.
“This is not the first time we have faced such delays at the border. Negotiations have been held at the level of transport ministers, prime ministers, and even presidents to eliminate these restrictions. However, the system continues to operate, benefiting Kazakhstani customs officials, where there are also corruption schemes. As a result, both our trade and carriers suffer. Delays occur once or twice a month, and currently, trucks have been standing for three days, with about 80–90 vehicles accumulated. It is unclear who will compensate the carriers for this downtime,” he commented.
The head of the association added that the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should protect the interests of Kyrgyz entrepreneurs and carriers, but currently, they are not taking any action to resolve the issue.
“The Ministry of Transport is not addressing this situation, leaving carriers without support and forcing them to fend for themselves. Previously, we participated in international projects that studied the operation of border points in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. We were aware of the problems and raised them at conferences. Unfortunately, funding for such initiatives has ceased, and our government does not allocate resources for monitoring and discussing these issues, which could help improve the situation,” he added.
“Our association has been involved in studying the efficiency of transport corridors for almost eight years. However, the Ministry of Transport has never shown interest in the results of our research, which is conducted under the auspices of the Asian Development Bank. The Ministry of Transport shows no initiative. We also have studies on vehicle release times—I personally conducted them twice in our country. Unfortunately, no actions have been taken, despite serious shortcomings being indicated in the reports, the elimination of which could significantly reduce the number of delays at the border,” he concluded.
Additionally, Shabdanaliev noted that some Kyrgyz businessmen also violate laws and customs requirements, which gives the Kazakh side grounds to intensify inspections.
“Some of our entrepreneurs also violate laws and customs requirements. Unreported goods are often found in shipments. The Kazakh side identifies such violations, punishes those responsible, and uses this as an argument to support its position that the Kyrgyz side is acting in bad faith,” he added.
“Some cargoes move without waybills, and people try to cross the border, hoping for corrupt schemes. Such cases do occur. It is necessary to identify and eliminate these problems to avoid giving the Kazakh side reasons to nitpick at our cargoes and vehicles. We need to eliminate the sources of the problems, but unfortunately, no one is addressing this,” the chairman of the association summarized.
Context of the Situation
Earlier, the Eurasian Economic Commission commented on the situation with the accumulation of cargo vehicles at certain checkpoints on the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
As reported in Kazakhstan, the increase in the duration of border procedures is related to the conduct of planned control measures.
“These measures are temporary and targeted and are aimed at ensuring order at the border, including curbing the illegal turnover of goods, which threatens national security,” the statement said.
Kazakhstan expressed hope for understanding and further cooperation to curb illegal actions that cause significant damage to the economies of both countries and their international reputation.
The EEC noted that such measures fall exclusively within the competence of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union and do not violate the principles of Eurasian integration.
At the same time, the legal framework of the EAEU provides for the abolition of customs, transport, sanitary, and veterinary control in mutual trade between member states, except in cases provided for by the EAEU legislation.
