Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Heads of Government discuss plans to boost mutual trade

A number of key issues of interstate cooperation were discussed by the Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Prime Ministers Alikhan Smailov and Abdulla Aripov after a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Almaty.

The sides "synchronized their watches" on plans to enhance cooperation in trade and economic, transit and transport and water-energy spheres, as well as joint steps in industrial cooperation and agriculture.

Alikhan Smailov emphasized that the republics have established strong harmonious relations that are dynamically developing in all spheres. Thus, based on last year's results, the bilateral trade turnover has grown by almost 30% and reached the planned boundary of $5 billion.

"This has become possible thanks to our joint efforts. Now, in accordance with the tasks set at the highest level, we need to increase the volume of mutual trade up to $10 billion in the medium term," the Prime Minister said.

According to him, timely implementation of the road maps signed last year and the active work of the Kazakh-Uzbek intergovernmental commission are important in this context.

"The government of Kazakhstan is ready for an active dialogue in all areas of our cooperation," Alikhan Smailov added.

In turn, Abdulla Aripov said that the countries have gained positive experience in industrial cooperation, especially in the automotive industry. Experts have started working on promising projects in the oil and gas, chemical, energy, metallurgical and other industries.

"Special mention should be made of the close cooperation in agriculture and transport and logistics, especially in the development of new transport corridors. We also appreciate the direct contacts between the regions of our countries, which allows us to fully realize the potential of cooperation between our brotherly peoples," Abdullah Aripov said.

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