Agreements worth $833 million were signed at the
XXII Kazakhstan-Russia Interregional Cooperation Forum in Omsk. The
large-scale event brought together representatives from eight regions of
Kazakhstan and 17 regions of Russia. Business meetings, sector-specific
sessions, and an exhibition were held throughout the forum, with participants
discussing new areas of cooperation. One of them was inland water transport.
Kazakhstan and Russia plan to establish a working group to launch river freight
services and restore the Irtysh River's role as a major transport corridor.
«The
main issue was the establishment of a working group on the Irtysh River
involving three countries - Russia, China, and Kazakhstan. The project is
considered feasible, with a roadmap developed in 2024. The next step is
securing government support. Negotiations on dredging the riverbed are currently
underway,» said Aidos Shaikhislam, acting director of the
Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs in Pavlodar Region.
«Two practical memorandums have been signed - one with the Omsk region
and the other with the Tyumen region. Our goal is to attract more tourists from
Russian regions,» said Vladimir Vitchenko, Chairman of the Tourism
Association of North Kazakhstan region.
Kazakhstan remains one of the Omsk region's key trading partners. Since the
beginning of the year, bilateral trade has reached $136.5 million, up 18%.
Kazakhstan's exports rose to $33 million, while shipments from the Omsk region
increased by 13%. Forum participants said the priority now is to maintain this
positive momentum and develop new areas of cooperation.
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