Trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan shows a steady increase
"I am encouraged by the growth of trade in recent years. Close countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan could trade more significantly and to great advantage. We do not have access to the sea. Leverage traffic means less pay for transportation. If you look at the product line - we are complementing each other, we are not competing with each other. We are provided with energy, food - it's a great blessing. We will not go anywhere with outstretched hands" said the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
"Today we have given instructions to our governments, I think they will make a review and will report on the issues that they have solved. Here the work of the intergovernmental commission is very important. Transitioning to a free trade zone, open borders, of course, given the interests of each other is very important ", said Nursultan Nazarbayev.
As the President notes Kazakhstan is aware of that Uzbekistan is developing its transportation routes to the south.
"This is very exciting for Kazakhstan. I know there are also other proposals, such as access to China, Afghanistan, and beyond. We're going with Turkmenistan through Iran to the Persian Gulf, which is for Uzbekistan access to this railway. We have now opened a second transition from Almaty to Khorgos, it is a direct access to Uzbek goods to China, and there should be no obstacles. We are interested in Uzbek goods to have reached the port of Aktau. In these matters, the two governments should absolutely agree upon", stated the Kazakh leader.
According to the President, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy agreed with Uzbek colleagues on opening of high-speed rail route between Almaty and Tashkent. Also started its work the Business Council between the two countries, as previously agreed during last year's visit of Islam Karimov to Astana.
According to official data, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for 2012 amounted to 2 billion 75 million dollars and grew by 9.6%.
Currently in Uzbekistan there operate 178 companies with domestic investors, including 143 joint ventures and 35 companies with 100% of Kazakhstan capital. They are working in areas such as mechanical engineering, metalworking, light and food industries, construction and others. In turn, on the territory of Kazakhstan there are about 120 registered enterprises, which have been established with participation of residents of Uzbekistan.