Lianyungang - March 2024. The initiative of the "Beles" Center for Analysis and Strategy to create a "brain center" (think tank) for the China-Europe transport corridor has successfully passed the institutionalization stage.
During a strategic visit to the PRC (Lianyungang city), the Center's delegation completed the legal formalization of the work of the Research Institute of the New Land-Sea Transport Corridor (NLSTC RI). While the project previously existed in the format of memorandums and intentions, it is now a full-fledged international organization with an approved budget and action plan.
The first meeting of the Institute's Board of Directors took place in Lianyungang — the main maritime gateway for Kazakhstani transit. The key outcome of the negotiations for the general public is simple: The Institute received funding and operational independence.
What does this mean in practice? The structure established by the "Beles" Center (jointly with AIU and Chinese partners) now has real resources for:
- Solving Business Problems: Conducting field research to eliminate barriers at the border and in ports.
- Grant Funding: Allocating funds for applied developments aimed at accelerating cargo passage along the Middle Corridor.
The management of the Institute is built on a parity basis: the Kazakhstani side, represented by "Beles" experts and AIU leadership, has an equal voice with the Chinese government when making strategic decisions.
The March visit fixed the new status of the "Beles" Center. We are not just observing the processes — we are creating a working infrastructure of relations with China. The NLSTC RI launched by us now acts as a "single window" for scientific and expert support of Kazakhstani exporters in Jiangsu province.
"We have created a unique ecosystem where analytics, real logistics business (SCO Park), and state bodies of the two countries work in a single link. This is the practical implementation of the 'Belt and Road' initiative, which brings benefits to the economy of Kazakhstan."
