The issue of diversification of transport directions in the EAEU perimeter was discussed at the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission

The issue of diversification of transport directions in the EAEU perimeter was discussed at the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission

On September 23, at a regular meeting of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission in Moscow, they discussed and made decisions on a number of important issues for the EAEU member states. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin.

The agenda of the meeting consisted of 60 issues affecting the areas of public procurement, mutual trade, technical, customs and tax regulation, sanitary and phytosanitary control, industry, energy, as well as international cooperation.

One of the significant issues aimed at diversifying trade routes in the EAEU perimeter was raised by the Kazakh side. This is the adoption of the documents necessary for the entry into force of the Agreement on Navigation. This document was signed in 2019 in Almaty within the framework of the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. Later, the Agreement was ratified in Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. The Agreement on shipping is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan's fleet to enter the open sea. Today, cargo from ports on the Black Sea to Kazakh ports is delivered in transit via the Volga-Don Shipping Channel. The Agreement on Shipping will serve to stimulate the transit potential of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the transportation of goods along the inland waterways of the Russian Federation to the ports of the Black and Mediterranean Seas, and will also provide an opportunity for a simplified procedure for passage through the inland waterways of Russia.

"The development of river navigation will make it possible to diversify traditional trade routes, opens up new opportunities for Kazakh exports along with other traditional modes of transport," Serik Zhumangarin said, adding that the implementation of the agreement will also reduce the time for obtaining approval for passage through the inland waterways of the Russian Federation from 6 months to 10 days.

Also, the Minister of Trade of Kazakhstan proposed to speed up the coordination of the necessary documents.

During the meeting of the EEC Council, among other issues, it was decided to extend the validity period of the duty-free import limit of goods in the amount of 1,000 euros purchased by individuals in the framework of online commerce until April 1, 2023.

The parties agreed to hold a regular meeting on October 7 this year in videoconference mode.