MINSK, 27 May (BelTA) – Growing mutual trade between Belarus and Kazakhstan has become a trend this year. Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko made the statement as he met with Kazakhstan Prime Minister Askar Mamin, BelTA has learned.
Roman Golovchenko said: “Kazakhstan is a very important partner for us. We maintain a very high level of relations in the bilateral format and within the framework of integration associations and international organizations. A regular dialogue between leaders of our states has been established. It creates a favorable environment for work and for achieving mutual agreements.”
The prime minister noted that a roadmap had been signed recently on raising the trade turnover and developing manufacturing cooperation in the next two years. “In terms of trade Kazakhstan is one of Belarus' main partners. It is the third largest trade partner among the CIS states. We saw a small decrease last year when bilateral trade dropped by nearly 8% to $850 million. But it is only natural, everyone feels consequences of the pandemic. A positive trend for growing mutual trade has emerged this year,” Roman Golovchenko pointed out.
Roman Golovchenko stressed: “The forthcoming visit of the Kazakhstan president to Belarus in H2 2021 will be a very important stage in the development of bilateral interaction. We attach significance to the economic component of the visit and this is why the governments should do some work in order to fill this event with concrete decisions.”
In his words, manufacturing cooperation projects remain the driver of Belarus-Kazakhstan cooperation. They allow creating products with a high added value in addition to developing the industrial potential and providing jobs. “We will be pleased to consider the possibility of participation in new projects in Kazakhstan. We've repeatedly said it is necessary to intensify work in the agricultural direction and transition to concrete serious projects concerning pedigree animal husbandry and dairy products industry,” Roman Golovchenko remarked.
In turn, Askar Mamin stressed that an intensive dialogue had been established between Belarus and Kazakhstan, interaction develops in all the spheres of mutual interest. “As you've already mentioned, the trade turnover increased in Q1 2021. I am convinced that the dynamics of cooperation will return to pre-pandemic figures,” he stated.
