The new KTZ Express office in Hong Kong will be responsible for building a platform to develop multimodal freight transportation through Kazakhstan initially targeting Europe and China. On the ground US$3 bn. will be invested in rail infrastructure in Kazakhstan this year providing a state-of-the-art national freight network, improving connectivity with  country’s regional centers and neighbouring countries.  With transit times of 15 days from China to Europe the rail service will provide time definite services direct to industrial and commercial centers, saving more than two-thirds in time (45 days) when compared to ocean transit times. To further expand its reach into Asian markets KTZ Express has invested in a US$100 m intermodal freight and logistics centre at the port of Lianyungang on China’s eastern seaboard. This 21 hectare facility will have capacity for 500,000 TEUs per year and provide direct access to Central Asia for shippers from Japan, Korea and South East Asia, moving cargo by sea to Lianyungang and then by rail to Kazakhstan.    “This is a very exciting development as shippers from Asia currently have to use ocean freight to Europe and then truck or rail to Central Asia. Now they can access these markets directly by rail from China saving time and cost,” said Sanzhar Yelubayev, President of KTZ Express.   In other developments a new inland container port is under construction at Khorgos on the China-Kazakhstan border, this is aimed to provide a regional distribution centre for the growing trade between China and Kazakhstan. Khorgos East Gate is a Special Economic Zone with Customs Bonded area and Visa free access. “Khorgos is a distribution hub designed for Chinese freight forwarders to access Central Asian markets by road and rail with minimal Customs regulations and tariffs” added Henrik Christensen, President of KTZ Express Hong Kong. About KTZ Express KTZ Express – the national multimodal transport logistics company of Kazakhstan provides a comprehensive range of multimodal services including rail, sea, air, road transportation, port and airport services and warehousing. The company also provides distribution and logistics services across Central Asia. KTZ Express manages Kazakhstan’s airports and the Special Economic Zone at ‘Khorgos–East Gate’ on the border with China.  The company also operates shipping services on the Caspian Sea.