On March 28, 2023, a meeting on the 2nd Friendly Dialogue of Cross-border cooperation between Kazakhstan and China was held in Almaty. The delegation of the People's Republic of China headed by a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee of the 20th convocation, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China Mr. Ma Sinzhui, business representatives and officials of the People's Autonomous Republic of China met with officials of ministries, departments of Kazakhstan, JSC "NC "KTZ" and representatives of Kazakh business.
During the meeting, the first contracts were signed for the supply of grain cargoes in the amount of 50,000 tons in grain carriers to a new grain terminal located within the Alashankou FEZ. The design one-time storage capacity of the terminal is up to 500 thousand tons. The terminal has a wide-gauge approach and the ability to automatically unload grain wagons.
The first train with the cargo of the pilot project has already been sent along the route. The delivery operator is JSC "Astyk Trans".
This decision opens up opportunities for diversification of markets for Kazakh grain and the organization of rhythmic delivery to China.