Kazakhstan is ready to consider the issue of reducing the coefficient on KTZ tariffs for the transport of Russian grain. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin at a meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.
According to the press service of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the IGC participants discussed, among other issues, the possibility of introducing mutual discounts on the railway transport of export goods. The current railway tariff for the transport of coal and iron ore in the Russian Federation restricts the increase in the volume of export shipments of Kazakh coal. This
S. Zhumangarin suggested the Russian side to consider the possibility of applying a discount factor to the transit tariff of Russian Railways for the transport of coal and iron ore to the port of Ventspils. Kazakhstan, in turn, is ready to consider reducing the coefficient on KTZ tariffs for the transport of Russian grain along the eastern branch of the North-South corridor.
Russian Railways has repeatedly applied to the KTZ with a request to reduce the transit tariff. According to the Russian Federation, the current conditions make the transport of grain through Kazakhstan unprofitable for Russian traders.
At the same time, the transit tariff prevents the active expansion of Russian grain to the traditional markets of Kazakhstan. Kazakh traders estimate that Kazakhstan will lose at least 30% of its traditional grain and flour market if the concession is granted.