Kazakhstan has proposed the launch of an electronic exchange system for permit forms, known as E-permit, to Uzbekistan. Aigul Kuspan, Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense, and Security of the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan, revealed this development in an interview with the Kazinform news agency on February 27.
While trade remains significant, Kazakhstan prioritizes industrial cooperation with Uzbekistan. Kuspan emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition, stressing that the two nations are allies and should complement each other. To this end, a joint foreign trade company named UzKazTrade was established last year, with the aim of supplying goods to third-country markets such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
To further bolster cooperation, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have formed a special working group at the deputy prime ministerial level to oversee cooperation projects and another group dedicated to removing barriers to mutual trade.
Production facilities are set to be inaugurated within the premises of the international center for industrial cooperation "Central Asia." These facilities will primarily focus on the advanced processing of agricultural goods, the establishment of warehouses, and the development of transportation infrastructure. Construction of the site is slated to commence in August, with the launch anticipated by the conclusion of 2026.
In the transportation sector, the construction of the Darbaza-Maktaaral railway line has already commenced, while plans for the Uchkuduk-Kyzylorda railway line and highway are being finalized.
Uzbekistan has expressed interest in collaborating with Kazakhstan in the exploration, mining, and processing of uranium in border areas. If these projects materialize successfully, the volume of trade between the two countries is projected to exceed $10 bn.
Earlier Daryo reported that Murat Nurtleu, Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, conveyed Kazakhstan's commitment to facilitating transit for Uzbek carriers. He reiterated the ongoing efforts to streamline border crossings, emphasizing that these initiatives are in line with the core interests of both countries.
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