China-Kazakhstan Connectivity: Launch of the Horgos Large-scale Commercial and Logistics Complex Project; China-Kazakhstan Jointly Building a "Friendly Zone" to Promote Cross-border Cooperation
From Kazakh International News Agency: The groundbreaking ceremony for the "China-Kazakhstan Friendly Zone" project was recently held at the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center.
The complex is located within the Kazakh side of the cooperation center and is planned as a modern, multifunctional hub integrating commerce, logistics, industrial services, digital infrastructure, and business services. The project is jointly implemented by Chinese and Kazakh investors and supported organizationally by the Kazakhstan-China Center for International Economic Development.
It is expected that the project will drive cross-border trade development, increase tourist traffic, and enhance regional investment appeal.
Jangubul Akhmetbekov, Co-Chairman of the China-Kazakhstan Investment Center (Kazakh side), said:
"This center will serve as an efficient platform for collaboration between entrepreneurs from both countries. The project will offer recreational facilities and high-quality services. Here, business negotiations can be conducted, contracts signed, and trade activities centrally coordinated. A 'one-stop' service model will integrate customs clearance, logistics, finance, translation, legal services, and settlement."
The project will be implemented on Chinese territory, with all related taxes fully incorporated into the national budget. Investors anticipate that this project could double the tax revenue generated from the Kazakh side of the cooperation center.
The project will proceed in phases. The first phase plans to construct a large logistics center and warehousing facilities for storing goods between China and Kazakhstan, along with a modern warehousing system including cold chain logistics.
Sun Jianzhong, Co-Chairman of the China-Kazakhstan Investment Center (Chinese side), said:
"We preliminarily estimate that Phase One alone will create approximately 1,000 jobs within our country. We hope to develop this project not only into a showcase but also into a model and high-quality cooperative project between China and Kazakhstan."
He explained that Phase One will build a 800,000-square-meter exhibition and trade complex, showcasing products from various regions of China and Chinese goods, while simultaneously constructing a 700,000-square-meter logistics center.
Phase Two plans to build a 150,000-square-meter cold storage facility.
He pointed out that these infrastructures will help optimize the logistics supply chain and promote trade growth between the two countries.
Currently, the infrastructure development level on the Kazakh side of the cooperation center still lags behind that on the Chinese side. It is expected that this project will inject new momentum into regional development.
Hu Peiying, General Manager of Hainan Guanlan Yinhui Investment Company, said:
"The total investment for the project is approximately $587 million. This project will provide a direct display platform for goods from various regions and provinces, promote local production, and help double our country’s fiscal revenue."
It is reported that the complex is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863799724020873/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) personally.