Baku, Azerbaijan, March 15
By Fikret Dolukhanov – Trend:
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan agreed to increase mutual trade turnover to $3 billion in 2018 and to $5 billion in 2020, Uzbek media reported on March 15.
The agreement was reached during the meeting of mutual intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan with participation of first deputy premiers of both countries Achilbay Ramatov and Askar Mamin.
The press office of the Kazakh premier said that the trade turnover between the countries reached $2 billion in 2017, 31.2 percent more than in 2016.
The sides noted that two large business forums were held and $1-billion worth commercial deals were signed in 2017. Four trade houses, specialized on supply of grocery, as well as petrochemicals and chemistry products, are currently operating.
Uzavtosanoat and SaryarkaAvtoProm are implementing joint project on export of production to external markets, including the market of the Eurasian Economical Union.
The sides also mentioned that more than 200 events are planned in spheres of economy, tourism and culture within the framework of the Uzbek Year in Kazakhstan.
Mutual railway freight traffic also increased by 8 percent in 2017 and exceeded 20.5 million tons. During January-February 2018 the traffic volume has increased by 44 percent compared to the same period of 2016.
The sides agreed to launch regular passenger train runs on Samarkand-Astana route.
The sides also agreed on necessity of developing a legal mechanism on transborder water resources use in the Central Asia, which will provide for constructive dialogue considering interests of all countries of the region.
The meeting was summarized by signing a plan of events on holding of the Uzbek Year in Kazakhstan and a number of trade and economical agreements.