Kazakhstan is discussing the creation of a cross-border trade center with Bishkek
On July 27, 2021, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kairat Torebayev paid a working visit to Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic).
During the visit, the Kazakh Vice Minister held a number of meetings with representatives of the Kyrgyz government.
Thus, at the bilateral meeting of Kairat Torebayev with Deputy Minister of Investment of the Kyrgyz Republic Nuradil Bayasov, the parties discussed the current state of trade and economic cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic.
The issues of creating favorable conditions for Kazakhstani investors were discussed, a request for assistance in resolving fiscal disputes of Kazakhstani companies was expressed.
One of the main topics of the meeting was the discussion of preparations for the First Forum of Interregional Cooperation on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. According to the parties, the Forum will give an additional impetus to the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Issues of deepening bilateral cooperation and economic integration were also discussed by Kairat Torebayev with Mirlanbek Baigonchokov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The parties discussed the implementation of the agreements reached following the mutual visits of the Heads of State and the 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Council. In particular, the process of creating a cross-border trade Center under the project name "Alatau". The project was presented by the Minister of Trade and Integration B. Sultanov at the 9th meeting of the IPU. The Kazakh side proposed to place the CTT in the area of the existing Karasu - Aktilek checkpoints.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on the accelerated approval of the draft Concept of the Center.
In order to increase the volume of mutual trade, the Kazakh side announced its readiness to expand the range of exports in such industries as mechanical engineering, metallurgy, food industry, construction materials and chemical products. In total, we are talking about 50 commodity items worth $ 113.4 million.
It is also proposed to intensify negotiations on the draft Agreement on trade in oil and petroleum products and an Agreement on trade in certain types of Goods.
The parties also discussed the implementation of measures to introduce common standards and ensure the interaction of the commodity distribution networks of the two countries within the framework of the single Eurasian commodity distribution system. The interest of the Kazakh side in the construction of 3 ORC on the territory of Kyrgyzstan in the Chui (2 ORC – storage) and Issyk-Kul regions (1 ORC – pre-sale preparation/pre-training) was confirmed.
For reference:
Kazakhstan is the 3rd largest trading partner of Kyrgyzstan, with a share in foreign trade turnover of 14.1% (2020 – $794 million). The Presidents of the two countries have set a task to increase trade turnover to $ 1 billion in the coming years.
The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in January-May 2021 amounted to 328.7 million US dollars, which is 8.2% higher than in the same period of the previous year (303.8 million US dollars). Exports from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan in January-May 2021 increased by 6.2% and amounted to 227.2 million US dollars.
In the current years, the supply of such goods as: water, including mineral and carbonated, with sugar (an increase of 61.1%), passenger cars (an increase of 2.2 p), extracts, essences, coffee, tea, mate concentrates, coffee substitutes (an increase of 4.6 p), as well as natural gas, tobacco products, hygiene items, etc.