Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Introduce 24/7 Border Checkpoints
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are set to make crossing their shared state border easier. Deputies in the Majilis have approved the ratification of amendments to the bilateral agreement that regulates the operation of border checkpoints, 24KZ reports.
Once the newly approved amendments come into force several existing road checkpoints will be officially elevated to international status. These designated facilities will transition to round-the-clock operations. Previously travellers and freight operators were restricted to crossing the border through these specific points only during limited operational hours.
Nurlan Sauranbayev, the Minister of Transport, highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of the border upgrade. He stated that the continuous operations will dramatically increase overall throughput capacity, reduce waiting times for both passengers and commercial carriers and have a highly positive impact on the development of regional tourism. The streamlined process is also expected to greatly facilitate international transit operations between the two Central Asian nations.
Furthermore the Ministry of Transport clarified that the implementation of these new around-the-clock rules is highly cost-effective. Officials confirmed that the operational changes will not require any additional funding or expenditure from the national budget.
