Kazakh and Uzbek PMs Hold 21st Bilateral Intergovernmental Commission Meeting
Almaty, The Gulf Observer: Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov convened the 21st meeting of the Bilateral Intergovernmental Commission in Almaty, as reported by media. The meeting, cited by the press service of the Kazakh government, focused on critical issues of the bilateral agenda in anticipation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Kazakhstan.
The discussions centered on the progress of agreements between the two states, covering areas such as trade, economic and investment cooperation, water and energy collaboration, and joint initiatives in transport, industry, agriculture, ecology, and digitalization.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan account for 57% of Central Asia’s total trade. Last year, bilateral trade reached $4.5 billion, with $1.2 billion worth of goods exchanged in the first four months of this year. Both countries are pursuing 69 projects valued at $3.1 billion, expected to create over 14,700 jobs. To date, 12 joint projects worth $217 million have been completed, creating approximately 4,500 jobs. Ongoing projects, including a significant electrometallurgical plant in Taraz, are valued at $178 million.
The planned construction of the Central Asia International Center for Industrial Cooperation in Turkestan and Syrdarya regions aims to foster joint ventures. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also seek to increase mutual deliveries of electrotechnical products and batteries annually.
Commitments were expressed for the realization of projects such as Darbaza-Maktaaral, the Almaty ring road, and the Dostyk station, with measures underway to enhance transport interaction, develop railway infrastructure, and eliminate bottlenecks. Cooperation in water distribution facility digitalization and automation was also discussed.
Uzbekistan remains a major trade partner for Kazakhstan, with goals to elevate mutual trade to $10 billion in the mid-term. Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized Kazakhstan’s interest in expanding cooperation in the agro-industrial and food industries and enhancing industrial cooperation quality.
Prime Minister Aripov highlighted the rapid evolution of strategic partnership and alliance between the two nations, driven by friendly and trust-based relations between their leaders. He expressed confidence that the meeting and resulting agreements would further strengthen their cooperation.
The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol of the 21st Bilateral Intergovernmental Commission.
