On 11 November, the first Silk Way 2011 Forum took place on the same platform as the 8th International Conference “Trans Eurasia 2011”, organised by the public authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana.
This forum is one of the global events in the field of logistics and chain supply management in the territory of Kazakhstan and CIS countries. Attended by around 600 participants, it was an opportunity to learn about the recent achievements of logistics practice, exchange experience on the application of modern logistics methods and technologies, discuss modern solutions in the field of logistics and chain supply management, discuss the prospects of logistics system development, as well as to acquire new business contacts and become acquainted with potential partners and clients.
Alongside the plenary session meetings and workshops held in Astana’s Palace of Independence, stands representing various companies from the sector such as freight forwarders, IT companies, and road and rail transporters were also present.
Thus during the first plenary session “Global trends and development of transport logistics market in Eurasia”, reports were delivered by Latvian Transport Minister Mr A. Ronis, RZD Vice-President Mr S. Babaev, Chairman of DB Mobility Logistics Dr K. F. Rausch, and TransContainer General-Director Mr P. Baskakov. Bernard Schmitt, as well as delegates from UIC’s freight department representing Mr Loubinoux, highlighted UIC’s global activities in the area of freight, and presented the characteristics of the freight railroad market in each region.
In the second plenary session entitled “Future of multimodal transport in the region, synergy between road, air, railway and maritime transport”, various delegates underlined the role of Kazakhstan as the heart of Eurasia. Most of the speakers stated that China was swiftly expanding industrial development in the western region bordering Kazakhstan to balance the population concentration. They expected China to rapidly develop its transport infrastructure, to bridge overland transport with Europe through the “SILK ROAD” trade route.
Some special sessions were held with special focus on the Trans-Asia Landbridge (with the container train from Chongqing to Duisburg), the gateway to the Baltic Sea, and IT technologies in transport. Some 12 memoranda of cooperation and understanding, letters of intent and agreements on mutual cooperation have been signed.
