Belarus and Kazakhstan can double the volume of mutual trade
14/05/20120 views
14 May, Minsk /Tatsiana Polozhai - BELTA/. Belarus and Kazakhstan can double their mutual trade volume, and there are no significant obstacles to this. This was stated today by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, summing up the results of negotiations in Minsk with the head of the Kazakh state, Nursultan Nazarbayev, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the implementation of the "roadmap" for the development of trade and economic cooperation for 2012-2013 yields tangible results. This document includes about 60 joint events and projects in all areas of interaction. The states have already approached a trade turnover of $1 billion, but, in the opinion of the Belarusian leader, they should double it. "This is a drop in the ocean. We must double our trade turnover, especially since there are no significant obstacles to this. And the prospects ahead are even better," said the head of the Belarusian state.
Belarus counts on and has already received the support of the President of Kazakhstan to have a platform in that country from which it would be possible to work throughout Central Asia and even in China. "We will always gladly represent your interests in Europe. This will be your unique platform for working in the European Union and in the west of the Customs Union," said Aleksandr Lukashenko, addressing the Kazakh side.
The President of Belarus drew attention to the successfully implemented joint projects. For example, over the past few years, 12 joint ventures have been established in Kazakhstan based on Belarusian industrial and scientific developments, with 4 of them in 2011. They specialize in the production of tractors, combines, quarry, automotive, special equipment, and agricultural machinery. Currently, 13 joint projects are in the active stage of implementation, 7 of which are included in the state programs of Kazakhstan. About 40 joint projects are being implemented within the framework of the scientific and technical cooperation program for 2012-2013 alone.
Summarising the negotiations held, Alexander Lukashenko noted that the parties had outlined ambitious plans for cooperation in agriculture, transport, and logistics. Among other issues, the project to create a transport corridor from China to the Atlantic coast was discussed. "Tomorrow we will discuss with the President of Russia the modernisation, and where necessary, the construction of roads, all three of us. We will be able to almost halve the transit time for goods from Europe to Kazakhstan and vice versa," said the Belarusian leader.
The Belarusian side invited Kazakh capital to participate in investing in Belarusian enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko emphasised that Belarus is ready to provide priority support to the interests of investors from Kazakhstan. Furthermore, Belarus is ready to welcome Kazakh businesses wishing to participate in privatisation processes.
All agreements reached were reflected in a joint statement signed today by the leaders of the two countries, as well as in other documents concluded during the visit of the Kazakh delegation to Belarus.
"I am convinced that the implementation of the agreements will contribute to strengthening our strategic partnership," stressed the President of Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko also addressed the people of Kazakhstan, noting that they "must know, remember and understand that here, on the western border of the Customs Union, the Eurasian Economic Union, there are reliable friends who are ready to represent your interests with high responsibility anywhere on the European continent."
The heads of state agreed to meet annually at the highest level in the future to monitor the implementation of decisions. -0-
BELTA