Kazakhstan proposes duty-free trade zone on border with Uzbekistan

The proposal was made during the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Interregional Government Forum held in Samarkand on October 22. Kilibai put forward a range of initiatives to expand trade and economic ties between Mangistau Region and Uzbekistan. According to the regional government's press service, the construction of a new road connecting Mangistau and Uzbekistan is already underway, which is expected to facilitate trade between the two regions.

The road will connect to the "Tazhen" customs checkpoint on the Kazakh side, while Uzbekistan has completed the construction of a new highway linking the center of Karakalpakstan to the border. This infrastructure development is anticipated to significantly increase the volume of goods exchanged between Mangistau and Uzbekistan.

Kilibai noted that a significant portion of food products, including vegetables, fruits, and dried goods sold in Mangistau's wholesale markets, are sourced from Uzbekistan’s regions, such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Nukus, and Syrdarya. He added that around 250-300 trucks pass through the "Tazhen" checkpoint daily, with about 25-30 heading to Mangistau, transporting nearly 11,000 tons of products.

Representatives from the region’s largest wholesale distribution center, "ORC Aktau," also participated in the forum. Kilibai stated that "ORC Aktau" is fully prepared to offer trade spaces and awaits concrete steps from Uzbek entrepreneurs to establish a trading platform labeled "Made in Uzbekistan" for agricultural fairs.

Additionally, Kilibai proposed the creation of a duty-free trade zone named "Khorgos" on the border, inspired by a similar model in China. This zone is expected to increase the volume of goods traded between Mangistau and Uzbekistan by fourfold. The forum also discussed potential collaborations in tourism and agriculture. Notably, a tour package for Uzbek travel operators, highlighting the historical, cultural, and tourist sites of Mangistau, has been developed and is expected to launch in 2025.

At the forum’s conclusion, cooperation agreements were signed between the Mangistau regional government and Karakalpakstan, as well as between the districts of Beineu and Khojeyli.

As of 2023, 140 Uzbek-affiliated companies are registered in Mangistau Region. The region’s foreign trade with Uzbekistan totaled $13.2 million in 2023, with imports from Uzbekistan making up about 25% of the total trade volume.