Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 2 November 2020, as part of the visit of the government delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Uzbekistan, a meeting was held between the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar.

During the meeting, they discussed the current state, as well as the prospects for further strengthening and expanding multifaceted cooperation in the investment, trade and economic, industrial and transport and logistics spheres.

The course of interaction on deepening investment cooperation and industrial cooperation between the two countries was substantively considered - further steps were outlined to increase the number of joint investment projects to create production in the fields of mechanical engineering, agro-industrial complex, animal husbandry, light, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Particular attention within the framework of the negotiating agenda was paid to measures to ensure further growth in the volume of bilateral trade, diversify its structure, as well as the development of new long-term forms of economic cooperation, including interregional interaction. It was noted that the task set by the heads of the two states to increase trade turnover up to US$10 billion can be accomplished solely through the coordinated work of the relevant ministries and departments of the two countries, aimed at implementing measures of comprehensive support for mutual trade, simplifying and harmonizing customs norms and standards, integrating information systems of customs services, construction of modern logistics centers, reconstruction and modernization of checkpoints at borders.

In this context, an agreement was reached to continue practical interaction on the creation of the International Center for Trade and Economic Cooperation "Central Asia" (ICTEC).

It was also agreed that in order to ensure the smooth supply of goods, increase transit capacity and further develop mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation, the relevant ministries and departments of the two countries will take the necessary measures for the timely and full implementation of the Plan of Practical Measures ("Road Map") on expansion and deepening of cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In addition, regular bilateral expert consultations will be organized to work out existing issues in this area and develop promising proposals to increase the volume of mutual trade, improve transport infrastructure and develop interregional cooperation.

The parties also spoke for the active use of the opportunities of the Forum of Interregional Cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Business Council, as well as the active involvement of the private sector in expanding bilateral economic cooperation. 

The priority importance of further development and strengthening of strategic partnership in the development of transport communications was especially emphasized. The resumption of air traffic was positively assessed. The possibilities of opening an international bus service between major cities of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the construction of a high-speed railway "Turkestan - Shymkent - Tashkent", as well as a transport corridor "Uchkuduk - Kyzylorda" were discussed. 

During the talks, the sides also discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in the fields of energy, education, healthcare, science, culture and tourism.

It is worth noting that the meeting was preceded by an expert meeting of the heads of relevant ministries and departments, as well as a number of regions of the two states, during which cooperation projects were analyzed in detail and specific actions were outlined to accelerate them.

Following the meeting, the Deputy Prime Ministers of the two countries adopted the final protocol, as well as the Plan of Practical Measures ("Road Map") to expand and deepen cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan, which provides for the implementation of 22 specific industrial cooperation projects. It was also agreed that this Roadmap will be constantly updated by including new investment projects in it as they are developed in detail.

An agreement was reached on the formation of a joint working group, which on a regular basis will monitor the implementation of the signed documents and make specific proposals to ensure their implementation in full.