With the aim of reviving the historical Silk Road through enhancement of customs cooperation, the delegation of Turkic Council consisting of customs officials of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan visited on 26-29 November 2019 “Irkeshtam” Border Crossing Point (BCP) located at Kyrgyz-Chinese border as well as “Altynkol” and newly constructed “Nur Zholy” BCPs located at Kazakh-Chinese border.

During the field visits, the delegation examined new/renewed facilities established at the BCPs including the railway and road transportation infrastructures and received extensive information from competent Kyrgyz and Kazakh customs officials on the existing procedures conducted and services provided. 

In light of the provided information, the Secretariat filled out the checklists, which will be submitted as a report to the upcoming International Silk Road Forum to be hosted by Georgia in 2020. 

Turkic Council delegation concluded its mission with a final visit to Khorgos Gateway (Dry Port) on 29 September 2019, which was established as part of the facilitation efforts of transport on East-West trade axis in the framework of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Turkic Council customs officials were briefed on the business and investment opportunities offered at the Gateway located as well at Kazakh-Chinese border. 

The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Ozge Pan and Mr. Farrukh Jumayev, Project Directors of the Turkic Council Secretariat.