Kazakhstan is ready to introduce protective measures against alcohol imports from the EAEU

Kazakhstan is ready to introduce protective measures against alcohol imports from the EAEU

During the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council held on August 25-26 in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan), the Prime Ministers of the EAEU member states discussed the formation of a common alcohol market within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. The document aims to eliminate barriers that are established by individual EAEU states for imports from other EAEU member states.

- The work on the document has been going on for more than 10 years. But we still cannot reach consensus on some positions. We insist on the abolition of the institution of a special reporter, which currently exists in Belarus and is an insurmountable barrier to goods from Kazakhstan and other EAEU countries. The Belarusian side proposes to introduce quotas for its alcohol imports. But our position on this position is also negative. We insist on the complete elimination of the barrier for alcoholic beverages throughout the Eurasian Union," Acting Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin commented on the results of the meeting in Cholpon-Ata.

According to statistics, in the domestic market of alcoholic beverages of Kazakhstan for the 1st half of this year, compared with the same period last year, imports increased by 15.7% (from 18.5 to 21.4 million US dollars).

The volume of imports of alcoholic beverages from the Russian Federation increased by 31.9% and amounted to 14.9 million US dollars, from the Republic of Belarus – by 7.7%, amounting to 2.8 million US dollars.

At the same time, exports from Kazakhstan to the EAEU countries decreased by 24.8% and amounted to only $ 10 million (in Russia – $ 10 million, Kyrgyzstan – $ 0.02 million). Exports to the Republic of Belarus are zero.

- We get a situation where partner countries are increasing alcohol exports to Kazakhstan, which fully fulfills its obligations under the EAEU and ensures the free movement of goods. Our government has the opportunity to introduce "mirror" measures to goods in case of discrimination of our goods. The partners know Kazakhstan's position that in case of refusal to exclude restrictions, Kazakhstan intends to develop a set of retaliatory measures to protect the domestic market," Zhumangarin summed up.

The parties agreed to continue discussions to find compromise solutions. The issue will again be submitted to the next meeting in October this year.