On 8-11 October 2019, ADB has organized a study tour for the state border services and transport departments of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic to learn from the border crossing point operations and infrastructure of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are planning to modernize their mutual border crossing points under the framework of the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor.

A joint delegation consisting of representatives of the Border Authorities, the Roads Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Transport, and Roads of the Kyrgyz Republic visited the checkpoints ‘Sarpi-Sarp’ on the border between Georgia and Turkey and the Red Bridge border crossing points between Georgia and Azerbaijan on 9-11 October 2019. The delegation studied current procedures of regular bus services between Batumi Airport and the international bus terminal ‘Hopa’ as a model for a similar service between Almaty and Bishkek and their airports. The two country delegations exchanged experience and good knowledge with the Georgian Customs Service on border procedures and passport control, including the use of modern equipment for inspections.