Astana, Kazakhstan, April 25
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
The construction of three dry cargo terminals will begin in the Kazakhstan's Aktau port by July 1, 2014, the chairman of Transport Control Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Transport and Communications of Asset Asavbaev said.
"The construction of three dry cargo terminals will be provided by July 1, 2014 for the expansion of throughput capacity of Aktau sea port," he said at a press-conference in Astana on April 25.
The ministry is working to attract foreign investment in the construction of terminals through establishment of a joint venture to this end, the minster said.
Asavbaev recalled that the ministry concluded a memorandum of understanding with the Australian IPD company even in last November. Furthermore, the basic conditions have been determined for the creation of the joint venture, and a founders agreement has already been signed in February.
"We plan to create a joint venture in the form of LLP with the following shares: IPD - 60 percent, Kazakhstan Temir Express- 30 percent, Aktau International Commercial Sea Port - 10 percent," he said.
The IPD company`s investment will make up13.5 billion tenge (at old exchange rate $ 1 - 150 tenge), some $ 150 million of which is the cost of construction of three dry cargo terminals, according to Asavbaev.
"Protective waterworks have already been built and new harbor dredging is being conducted (at the expense of the government). This expansion will increase the capacity of the Aktau port for transshipment of 2.5 million tonnes of dry cargo per year," he said.
As reported earlier, Kazakhstan takes concrete measures, works on new transport and logistics services in the south, east and west directions in order to diversify exports of national products and strengthen its transit potential.
Translated by S.I.