On June 21, Tashkent hosted the 18th meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

At the intergovernmental commission meeting, 27 documents were signed totaling more than $1.5 billion. The agreements are aimed at developing cooperation in trade-economic, investment, transit and transport, agricultural spheres, as well as light industry and pharmaceuticals, the press service of the government of Kazakhstan reported.

The Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov noted the importance of the first inter-regional forum of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Central Asian Economic Forum, which contribute to the establishment of direct contacts between the business structures of the two countries.

“Uzbekistan is the third largest trading partner of Kazakhstan,” said Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Askar Mamin, noting the dynamic development of trade and economic cooperation between the parties.

At the end of 2018, trade turnover reached about $3 billion. In January-April 2019 it increased by 20.8% ($1.1 billion) compared to the same period last year.

The sides expressed confidence that the decisions taken by the intergovernmental commission will give a serious impetus to the strengthening of bilateral relations and will open up new opportunities for the development of the economies of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

The meeting participants noted the success of the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan in 2018, as well as the importance of high-quality execution of the action plan for holding the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan in 2019.