Kazakhstan ready to increase its exports to Turkmenistan by $120 million
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has had negotiations with his Turkmen counterpart Serdar Berdimuhamedov in an extended format, Kazinform News Agency learned from the Akorda press service.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev named his visit an important step towards achievement of a common goal – to bring the multifaceted interstate ties to a brand-new level.
“Based on centuries-long friendship, good-neighborly relations, common cultural and historical values, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, being two fraternal states, have built firm and harmonious relations, which develop constantly in line with strategic partnership,” the Kazakh President said.
According to him, the two countries observe a considerable progress in the development of trade-economic cooperation in recent years. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated Kazakhstan’s readiness to expand its exports to Turkmenistan to the amount of $120 million in 80 commodity items.
The Kazakh President pointed out the importance of maintaining contacts between the two countries’ business communities.
“As I was reported, small and medium enterprises are demonstrating a high investment potential. Last year, Kazakhstani companies had a successful business tour to Turkmenistan. In this context, it is important to stimulate the development of business activity within the Kazakh-Turkmen Business Council. Business communities should act as the main drivers. I believe it is important to concentrate the efforts of the two countries’ major commercial and national companies on the launch of real projects in industry, construction, logistics, communications and other sectors of economy. I am confident that today’s signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments will give an additional impulse to this process,” the Kazakh President noted.
He also expressed satisfaction with a step-by-step development of the cultural and humanitarian ties as well as good prospects for the cooperation in higher education sector.
The President of Kazakhstan also congratulated the fraternal Turkmen people on the 300th anniversary of outstanding Turkmen poet and spiritual leader Magtymguly Pyragy.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov underscored the importance of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Turkmenistan from the viewpoint of strengthening the bilateral relations.
“The official visit of the President of Kazakhstan benefits the goals of further strengthening the good-neighborly relations and close cooperation between our countries, expanding the spheres of partnership interaction, and access to the new promising areas. The history of the relations of the peoples of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan goes back many centuries. The two states and peoples are united both with geography, but also awareness of inseparability of historical fates and understanding the need in each other. We share common values, we preserve and respect the traditions inherited from the ancestors,” Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.
The meeting also focused on the implementation of joint initiatives in gas sector, gradual increase of the volumes of mutual trade and cargo transportation through the two countries’ territories, as well as boosting the interregional interaction.