Kazakhstan seeks parity in trade with the EEU countries

This was stated by Vice-Minister of trade and integration zhanel Kushukova, summing up the results of the meeting of the Eurasian intergovernmental Council held in Minsk on July 17 this year.
Thus, one of the key issues discussed during the session of the EMP was the issue of removing barriers to mutual trade.
"The work carried out to remove barriers by the parties has shown the imperfection of the current practice. A party can declare the removal of barriers without any evaluation by the ECE. At the same time, if the other party does not agree with this, it should again contact the EEC. The Kazakh side also put forward an initiative on the need for confirmation by the EEC Board of the fact of removing barriers. During the session of the EMPS, all parties supported this initiative, " Vice-Minister of trade and integration zhanel Kushukova said about the results of the Eurasian intergovernmental Council.
"In General, we called on our partners to establish consistency in their work to remove barriers. This is especially important when the share of mutual trade is only 14.3%. For example, in the European Union, this figure is 70%, " Kushukova commented.
The discussion also took place on the issue of termination of the case on violation of the General rules of competition in the cross-border markets of the EEU by Russian companies, in connection with the settlement of the issue.
As zhanel Kushukova explained, "in the course of the work carried out, we managed to find a compromise." "Russian companies have committed to supply products of JSC "Kentau transformer plant" on equal and non-discriminatory terms. In connection with the settlement of this issue, we agreed on the need to terminate the case," - said the Vice-Minister of MIT.
Earlier, the EEC conducted an investigation (based on the application of JSC "Kentau transformer plant") against PJSC "Novolipetsk metallurgical combine" and LLC "VIZ-Steel" for violations of the General rules of competition in the cross-border market. As a result of the investigation, the EEC Board decided to impose a fine of 217.6 million rubles. At the same time, the Russian side "vetoed" this decision.

When discussing the issue of regulating the use of the right of veto in relation to ECE decisions on trade measures, the parties once again failed to reach a consensus.
"We believe that the right of "veto" should be absolute. In this case, there should be no conditions, if the party decides to use it. Until a solution that meets the economic interests of all countries is found, the decision of the Board on trade measures should not be applied," zhanel Kushukova commented on Kazakhstan's position.
On the issue of marking goods within the framework of the EEU, an order was adopted that will regulate the procedural aspects of the introduction of labeling. Now the parties will be notified of the introduction of marking for 9 months instead of 3 months.
"Today, in order to more effectively implement The agreement on product labeling, we decided to extend the notification period. The Kazakh side also noted that marking should not become another barrier in mutual trade. National marking systems should be mutually recognized, " explained the Vice-Minister of trade and integration.
The parties also agreed to create a high-level working group to work out amendments to the EEU technical regulations "on food safety".
"Of course, our population should consume only safe and high-quality food products. The products must not contain harmful drugs. In this regard, we supported the establishment of a Working group and elaboration of changes to the current technical regulations on safety of food products," commented Janelle Kuchukova.

An equally important issue was the discussion of ensuring access to public procurement in the Russian Federation, following which the Russian side agreed to the need for access to their market on the basis of an opinion issued by the authorized body of the EAEU member States.
"Forming of the EAEU, we have made commitments to provide national treatment in government procurement for suppliers from the countries of the EEU. However, the Government Resolutions adopted by the Russian Federation on April 30 this year, Nos. 616 and 617, indicate the opposite. We believe that the norms of these regulations violate the obligations set out in the Treaty on the EEU. The current level of participation, for example, of Kazakhstani enterprises, does not suit us at all. We believe that the barriers set by the Russian side are the main reason for such a low level of participation in public procurement of goods from the EAEU member States," zhanel Kushukova commented.

The parties supported the proposal of Kazakhstan to extend the period of application of the serial production certificate for another 6 months.
"At the last meeting of the EMPS, the parties supported the Kazakh initiative to introduce a serial certificate for products similar to the one for which Kazakhstan applies lower rates of duties on imports.
Changing national legislation and information systems in the context of the pandemic took longer than we expected. The extension of the period of use of serial certificates will significantly simplify the procedures for importing Kazakh products to the markets of the partner countries of the EEU for our entrepreneurs.", Vice-Minister of trade and integration zhanel Kushukova commented.

Recall that on July 17, 2020 in Minsk (Republic of Belarus), the Kazakh delegation, headed By Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin, took part in the next meeting of the Eurasian intergovernmental Council.

The press service of MIT RK