Opinions & Interviews

GOMEL, 21 July (BelTA) - The role of the intergovernmental Belarusian-Kazakh commission on trade and economic cooperation is to bolster ties between the two countries, Belarus First Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Matyushevsky said at the opening of the 12th session of the intergovernmental commission.

Vasily Matyushevsky noted that the parties were off to a very fruitful start. They already discussed a dozen of issues and held a meaningful dialogue on the promising topics. “Cooperation with the Republic of Kazakhstan is a top priority for us. The Presidents of the two countries have laid a strong foundation of the relationship. The role of the intergovernmental commission is to bolster bilateral relations,” he said.

Despite the fact that trade between the two countries declined by 40% in 2015 as against 2014, Vasily Matyushevsky believes that Belarus and Kazakhstan have all the necessary tools for increasing mutual trade. “The Belarusian side is set to implement the projects that meet the potential of our countries,” the head of the Belarusian part of the commission said.

The meeting of the intergovernmental commission discussed the development of trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Kazakhstan. The two parties discussed the status of implementation of the roadmap for the next two years. A key issue on the agenda was the development of engineering and industrial cooperation. The parties also discussed prospects for cooperation in agriculture, transport and logistics, design and construction, space and energy, science and technology, education, sports, and tourism. Representatives of the Belarusian and Kazakh business communities held meetings and negotiations as well. The Kazakhstan delegation also visited the industrial enterprises of Gomel Oblast.