Экономические науки/ 11. Логистика

The main development directions of the transport potential of Kazakhstan

Stecenko I.Р.

Dr.oec., Professor of Baltic International Academy

Tasmaganbetova S.Zh.

Doctoral student of Baltic International Academy

Riga, Latvia

Following independence, the integration into the world transport system has set the task of rapid technical development of major transport routes, taking into consideration the existing international standards with a view to ensuring the implementation of the competitiveness of Kazakhstan transport routs in the system of the Eurasian transport communications. That is because the further improvement of the transportation industry is impossible without modification in the organizational and technological bases of its activities. This has caused the stringent necessity to specify the strategic development directions in the way of acquisition and introduction of new transport technologies. from this perspective it seems topical to allocate a number of key directions of further development of transport potential of the country.

Firstly, the measures on elimination of physical and non-physical barriers should be advanced. In particular, in order to minimize the impact of physical and non-physical barriers on the transit traffic through Kazakhstan territories it is crucial to carry out further analysis of the technical condition of the main networks and border crossing points of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as to identify bottlenecks that reduce traffic capacity and/or the speed of movement of vehicles, their compliance with international standards and requirements, the necessity of introduction of new technologies, modernization and subsequent maintenance in working condition. This analysis is essential to compile the primary and long term measures of reconstruction and modernization of these facilities , calculate the required expenses and plan the implementation of investment projects, taking into account the priorities of the of state transit policy.

It is necessary to provide functioning of the domestic airports at the level corresponding to international standards and requirements, with a sufficient degree of protection and aviation safety system.

It is also important to estimate the existing norms of checking procedures and charges at border posts carried out by the supervisory authorities. The given appraisal should take into consideration contingent losses on the part of the government budget revenues, just in the case of customs and other regulation alteration, as well as in the case of volumes of transit traffic reduction. This will give an opportunity to take accurate measures to simplify customs and other control procedures, create a favorable tax and customs regimes for the passage of transit flows.

Furthermore, it is reasonable to implement appropriate measures to accelerate the improvement and development of unified checkpoints on the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan; construction and equipping of customs terminals that meet international requirements; providing automated check procedures at border crossings, etc.

Further rapid development of road infrastructure is relevant today, which will provide optimum location of a number of service enterprises along the way of transit traffic on major trunk routes and their organization in accordance with the standards and requirements of international law, as well as high quality of service.

In order to eliminate obstacles that prevent the increase of goods transfer we should carry out the capacity evaluation of the Republic concerning its assistance in elimination of non-physical barriers on the territories of the neighboring countries forming unified transport corridors together with Kazakhstan. For functioning of transport cluster is of great importance of creation of favorable conditions regarding the organization of transit transportations.

Secondly, improvement of investment system in transport branch is required. In this context, cooperation on implementation of joint investment projects in sphere of development and modernization of transport infrastructure and also creation of logistical capacities and service centers would be productive.

Investments should be directed to the modernization of existing transport systems, the elimination of bottlenecks, adding missing links. Today the state should not act as the only investor. Under current conditions the task of state is to create favorable economic conditions for the implementation of projects to attract private investors and external collaborators to act as guarantor of capital.

Thirdly, fiscal policies in relation to transport infrastructure should be improved. The modernization of transport infrastructure can be accelerated with the help of activities shaped to support domestic transport organizations in order to encourage the renovation of vehicles by providing tax incentives for the purchase of new modern vehicles and revise depreciation allowances on basic vehicles, covering repair. This will make it possible to replace the existing motor vehicle fleet with modern, safe, including ecologically efficient transport modes and reduce the cost of direct and indirect nature.

Besides, since the transport sector is found to be highly capital intensive, generally it is advisable to implement measures to improve fiscal policy.

The fourth. Improvement of transport security system should be paid attention to. It is necessary to conduct adjustments to operating transport security programs aiming at introduction of modern technology to ensure cargo safety and protection of people's lives, monitoring the technical condition and mode of operation of transport companies, observing the responsibilities on the part of monitoring institutions in prevention illegal actions of their employees towards shippers, bringing transport security programs to compliance with international standards and requirements.

Creation of modern and more simplified system of revealing of the drugs, forbidden means of mass production, illegal migration crossing the border is topical. 
This system should be developed on the principles of determining the use of modern technologies such cargo and passengers, as well as on the introduction of ranging mechanism depending on the country, shipment originating points.

The fifth. In long-term prospect, study of a question on creation of the international associations representing unified over-operator on realization of transit transportations is topical. 

To carry out the work under such agreements in the near future it is advisable to work out the most appropriate mechanisms of their functioning, methods of funding, clearing mechanisms and methods of joint management.

Such agreements could be signed in the bilateral format as well as in multilateral. They do not entail a loss of sovereignty, on the contrary may contribute to the creation of powerful associations, based on offsetting interests of all parties with a significant technical basis for attracting freight traffic.

Sixth, improvement of functioning of integration associations should be assisted. The accumulated experience of independent development of the CIS countries has shown the necessity of a more systematic approach to solving the problems of development of transportation industry, the formation of a common transport space and a common market of transport services.

There is an opinion of the appropriateness of development when it comes to transit potential of Kazakhstan, first of all, the development of the regional transit, and then subsequently transcontinental transit. Therefore, at the present stage it is important to make efforts to improve the performance of existing integration associations. First of all, it concerns the Eurasian Economic Union. Within a framework of this association it is advisable to advance further towards formation of a more centralized organization of transport to achieve the most optimal financial and economic conditions for transportation. For this purpose it is important to continue efforts to harmonize the principles of rating, Taxation and Customs Policy in the field of transport of the countries.

Stabilization of the economy is a prerequisite for economic growth of the Eurasian Economic Union countries which resulted in growth of interstate transportation capacity, in this context further development of transport engineering has gained special significance, cooperation management enterprises, financial and industrial groups have been established.

The establishment of the Common Market of transport services is impossible without the development of scientific and technical cooperation between the countries in the field of transport. The following areas are of great importance in this context: formation of methodological principles of the common pricing policy of the countries in the field of transport; further development of transport corridors; improving the transport infrastructure of the countries; introduction of high technology to support foreign trade and transit traffic; improving the reliability and efficiency of transport systems; creation of automated control systems for goods traffic by rail and road transport; improvement of navigational support for air transportation.

As a whole, it is possible and it is necessary to overcome existing problems by means of common efforts. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Economic Cooperation can act as real base for increase of efficiency of realization of transit policy of Kazakhstan. Within the frameworks of the SCO and OEC, it is expedient to continue on an advisory basis further, more detailed and subject study of methods of improvement of interstate interaction in transport sphere in view of expansion of transit as in a direction West-East and North-South (through Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan to Iran and Persian Gulf).

In addition to all that, the task of improving the efficiency of the existing integration associations requires those countries to work on technical cooperation at the micro level, through the development of supporting institutions, a flexible tariff setting rules and beneficial intercorporation links.

On the whole, the relevance of the development of transport transit potential of the country at the present stage is dictated by the necessity of realization of national interests of the Republic and further expansion of its own political and economic benefits. Therefore, the Republic of Kazakhstan is now in the process of actively building its transit policy, the improvement of its direction and the formation of new vectors.

Using its position properly, Kazakhstan will be able not only to receive income by means of transit traffic but also develop the regions on the basis of their involvement in the exchange of goods, establishing local production of those goods which are in demand in foreign markets.

In conclusion we should state that at the present time there is an objective necessity to improve a set of practical measures aimed at the development of transport transit potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This comprehensive set of measures must integrate the economic, technological, industrial, transportation, information and foreign policy of Kazakhstan.

References:

1. Bekmaganbetov M. Тransport system of the Republic of Kazakhstan: current state and problems of development. - Almaty, 2005. - 446 pg

2. Еrmakov V. Kazakhstan in the modern world. - Almaty, 2007. – 208 pg.

4. Transport in the Republic of Kazakhstan / Statistical Yearbook. – Аstаnа, 2016. - 62 pg.