Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) - Trade between Belarus and Kazakhstan can be doubled next year, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov said at the meeting with Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich in Minsk on 25 April, BelTA learned.

"We have a great potential of bilateral relations. We have the opportunity to double the existing trade," said Serik Akhmetov. He noted that the current level of $1 billion is not the limit considering the close cooperation in many industries.

"We outlined this goal and identified key priorities in our agreements," informed the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. He explained that today’s numbers are due to the objective reasons, including the crisis in the global economy. “Belarus and Kazakhstan are the countries with open market economy, and, of course, they are sensitive to what is going on in the global economy. Accession to the Customs Union and participation in the Single Economic Space also influence these facts,” he added.

Serik Akhmetov stressed that during his current visit the parties outlined concrete areas they will tap in to boost bilateral trade. “I think that we have everything for it. We are also creating the favorable conditions for joint companies, which will also contribute to it,” he said.

The Kazakhstani PM stressed that today’s dialogue was productive and open and emphasized the importance of the willingness of the both sides to achieve the outlined goals.