Maikenov: Belarus-Kazakhstan trade projected to reach $2bn

"Today the trade between the two countries is around $1 billion. As the heads of our states noted, the trade should be increased two times. Events like the Belarus-Kazakhstan business forum significantly contribute to the achievement of these goals. We see that business is interested in cooperation. This is a strong reason for the organization of negotiations," Meirzhan Maikenov noted.

Partaking in the Belarus-Kazakhstan business forum are representatives of 12 Kazakhstan enterprises. "The goal of our visit is to strengthen the ties, find new partners, and increase the supply of Kazakhstan products to the Belarusian market. For example, these are the products of machine-building, drug manufacturing, and food processing industry," Meirzhan Maikenov said. He emphasized that today Belarus' export to Kazakhstan significantly exceeds its import of goods and services. "We want our export to Belarus to reach the volume of Belarus' export to our country. We believe that in the near future our export will make up $300 million," the Deputy Chairman of the Kaznex Invest Board said, BelTA reports.

There are more than 100 joint Belarus-Kazakhstan enterprises in Kazakhstan. The total volume of the investment projects exceeds $100 million. "Kazakhstan is interested in Belarus' invaluable experience in the development of agriculture and machine-building industries. On the one hand, we study this experience, and on the other, we put it to practice through our joint projects," Meirzhan Maikenov explained.