Orenburg and W Kazakhstan regions initiated joint project on the River Ural preservation and rehabilitation, Governor Berg

Mr Governor, you are one of the Russian governors who take part in the regular, 9^th forum of heads of the cross-border regions of Kazakhstan and Russia. What enterprises will represent your region?

Kazakhstan is the key strategic partner of Orenburg region. We share the longest section of the Russian-Kazakh border up to 1 876 km. 35% of industrial and agricultural production of the region fall on the share of the cross-border territories of the oblast.

We enjoy successful integration ties with West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, Kostanay regions evidenced by the following data: above 10% of foreign trade volume of Kazakhstan and Russia accounts for Orenburg oblast. Kazakhstan's share in the oblast foreign trade turnover makes 30%, with CIS countries up to 70%.

Kazakhstan invests into the oblast economy. Following the results of 2011, it channeled almost 15% of the regional volume of foreign investments or USD 86.3mln.

There are 85 companies with participation of Kazakhstan's capital in Orenburg so far. The joint Russian-Kazakh KazRosGas enterprise set up on a parity basis by KazMunaiGas and Gazporm started this year the development and realization of the investment project on sulphur granules production with the capacity of 500 000 tons per year.  

Besides, Orenburg and Kazakhstan tuned up cooperation in the sphere of space exploration.  

We have the potential to boost mutual beneficial ties though efforts should be applied to realize it to its full extent. Hope, this Kazakh-Russian Forum will give an impetus to moving ahead.

As is known, the analogous forum took place 3 years ago in Orenburg. It focused on preservation of the trans-border River Ural ecosystem. We live today inside the Customs Union. How does the new format of relations help settle common issues concerning preservation of the common water biological system, in particular, by the example of trans-border rivers?

Orenburg and West Kazakhstan regions initiated the large joint project on preservation and rehabilitation of the River Ural basin ecosystem. The intergovernmental Russian-Kazakh commission was set up. The parties took a decision to establish the River Ural rescue fund. Besides, we realize the large project on preservation of the landscape and biodiversity of the steppes in the trans-border territories within Orenburg oblast and border territories of Kazakhstan.

I am confident; conditions of the Customs Union will contribute to realization of large joint projects.  

What are the regions of Kazakhstan you have the most fruitful cooperation with?

Undoubtedly, the leading role in cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia is given to border areas. Our friendship with West Kazakhstan, Aktobe and Kostanay regions of Kazakhstan has deep roots. Integration ties are based on agreements on cooperation in trade and economic, scientific and technical, humanitarian and law enforcement spheres.

It is crucial that people of the two countries with mutual interests could feel free living in the border areas.

Thank you for the interview!