Business news

MINSK, 6 May (BelTA) – The Belarusian Railways signed an agreement on cooperation in developing container train services between China and Europe, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Railways Company.

“Head of the Belarusian Railways Vladimir Morozov has signed a multilateral agreement on cooperation in the organization of container train services between China and Europe. The agreement has united the railways of Belarus, China, Russia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Poland. The document will promote sustainable growth of container train services between Europe and Asia, increase the profitability of the railway sector and make its contribution to the economic development of the states that signed the agreement,” the press center stressed.

The document was also signed by the heads of China Railway Corp, Russian Railways, Deutsche Bahn, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Ulaanbaatar Railway, and Poland’s PKP. The parties to the agreement believe that cooperation in developing container train services between China and Europe will help increase the share of the rail transport on the freight market, promote the countries’ economic growth, strengthen trade links and align plans on infrastructure development.

The parties to the agreement plan to jointly increase freight services, intensify activity on setting up terminal, warehouse, on-and-off loading facilities, logistics infrastructure, improve the organization of freight transportation, and introduce modern technologies to reduce journey time. “Plans also include offering competitive through rates within the legislation of the states, efforts to develop uniform end-to-end service standards, introduce the latest positioning technologies, develop new transport and logistics products, including the transportation of cross-border e-commerce goods, postal and refrigerated container traffic,” the Belarusian Railways explained.

The need was also stressed for holding marketing and promotional campaigns, developing cooperation, including in an electronic exchange of data and advance electronic information on cargo (goods) and transport vehicles that cross the border, simplified border procedures and reduction of customs clearance time.

A working group will be set up to implement the agreement.