China’s first green channel for agricultural products, connecting China’s Bakty port and Kazakhstan’s Baktu port, opened on December 23, and is expected to simplify agriculture commodities’ clearance procedures.
The green channel helps meet local huge demands for China’s fresh agricultural commodities.
The idea came from China’s president, Xi Jinping, who mentioned it at the Boao Forum for Asia, this year, in the Bo’ao town, Hainan province, with follow-up meetings between China’s and Kazakhstan’s customs officials to discuss the specifics, taking place in May and December.
Because of the extremely cold winter, Kazakhstan grows almost no vegetables during this season, so the green channel is expected to address that problem.
Huang Shengqiang, head of the China Port Management Office, said that the channel is a significant part of the development of a Silk Road economic zone.
Vice-chairman of Kazakhstan’s finance ministry customs controls said at the opening ceremony: "The channel will improve freight transportation and strengthen ties between the two countries."
The vice-chairman also suggested that China and Kazakhstan increase cooperation in a number of areas, including agricultural product bases, inspection of agricultural commodities, and quarantine services.
After a month, the channel will get a customs assessment by both countries to root out problems and improve management.
