Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposes to launch 'Commonwealth Fair' inter-state program
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is paying a working visit to Moscow, participated in the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council, Kazinform News Agency cites the Akorda press service.
According to the President, amid growing instability in the global economy, the issues of trade and economic interaction should constantly remain in the spotlight.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that for Kazakhstan, the CIS markets, which account for more than quarter of the country’s foreign trade turnover, remain traditionally attractive.
“I am confident that the Agreement on Free Trade in Services and Investments signed in 2023 will contribute in every possible way to the deepening of our trade and economic ties. It is also important to continue the efforts to strengthen the interaction in industrial cooperation, simplification of customs regulation, establishment of new supply chains, and in introduction of digital technologies. Trade fairs are becoming increasingly popular to date. I propose to launch an interstate program “Commonwealth Fair”, as part of which trade events involving artisans and agrarians from the entire Eurasian region could be held in various CIS cities. One of the most ancient cities of Kazakhstan – Taraz - is ready to host the first fair,” the Kazakh President said.
In his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that effective trade-economic cooperation is closely linked to the development of transport corridors. The Head of State highlighted that Kazakhstan embarked on a large-scale expansion of its railroad infrastructure along major international routes.
“Last year, I proposed to develop the concept of synchronization of the main transport routes running through the territories of the CIS states. I believe this work could be completed as soon as possible. In general, high-quality synchronization of such global projects as “One Belt - One Road”, “North - South”, the Trans-Caspian Route and others will enable us to compile a unified concept of economic, institutional and transport development on the Eurasian continent,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Another promising task, according to the President, is to boost cooperation in the field of digitalization.