Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have great potential for
strengthening and expanding cooperation, particularly in trade and economic
sphere, as well as in the transport and logistics industry. This was discussed
at the first meeting of the expert council of the two countries in Astana,
ahead of the state visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The
parties addressed both new vectors for effective partnership and opportunities
for regional integration.
«Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as leading economies of Central
Asia, have an impact on strengthening economic and trade cooperation within the
region. Strengthening their rapprochement will contribute not only to the
development of bilateral relations but also to fostering regional development,»
said Bauyrzhan Auken, senior expert at the Asian Studies Department of the Kazakhstan
Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of
Kazakhstan.
In recent years, trade turnover between the two countries
has doubled, reaching $4.5 billion. In
2023, Kazakhstan exported goods to Uzbekistan worth more than $3 billion, while
imports from the neighboring country exceeded $957 million. Notably, these
figures are expected to double. To achieve this, experts note that the
countries need to develop industrial cooperation and a barrier-free economic
environment.
«As part of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State
of Central Asia, we proposed creating a council on the development of transport
communications within the region. I believe it is very important for the entire
region and all Central Asian countries to have a common coordinated position on
these issues. This will benefit everyone, as having more corridors and pursuing mutually agreed policies in this
area will provide greater opportunities to implement joint trade and economic
projects and attract investment,» said Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute
for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan.
Editor: Гайни Жумабек
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