Kazakhstan blocks Chinese truckers, January road trade falls 65.5pc

ALASHANKOU's border checkpoint with Kazakhstan handled 3,000 tonnes of imports by truck but no exports, resulting in a 65.5 per cent reduction in volume - to the lowest monthly record in recent years.


This is because Kazakhstan is imposing restrictions, denying visas to Chinese truckers engaged in Sino-Kazakhstan trade, resulting in shipments being diverted to rail, reports Xinhua.


Otherwise the Alashankou checkpoint handled 5.1 per cent more cargo to 1.87 million tonnes cargo in January, representing an 18 per cent increase in value to US$1.14 billion, Xinhua reports.


Import cargo came to 1.5 million tonnes, up 2.9 per cent, with value growing 15.9 per cent to $1.03 billion. Export cargo volume went up 14.9 per cent to 369,000 tonnes with value increasing 40.7 per cent to $110 million.


In this month, the city's railway checkpoint handled 1.02 million tonnes, down 6.6 per cent. Imports fell 16.5 per cent to 649,000 tonnes. Exports rose 18.1 per cent to 369,000 tonnes.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)