Baku, Azerbaijan, September 17
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
Intensification of cooperation in the agricultural sector, construction of dairy processing facilities and cooperation in the field of heavy machinery and equipment are the main priorities for the development of economic cooperation between Ukraine and Kazakhstan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine told Trend.
According to the spokesperson, the relations between Ukraine and Kazakhstan are characterized by traditional friendship, mutual respect, pragmatism and constructiveness.
“Mutually beneficial economic cooperation has always been a key part within the whole spectrum of bilateral interaction. Kazakhstan is our biggest trade partner in Central Asia,” the spokesperson said.
The official went on to note that certain disagreements with Russia have affected the dynamics of goods transit through Ukraine's territory, as well as bilateral trade with Kazakhstan. This eventually led to turnover dropping more than four times in the last five years.
"Both countries work hard to find the appropriate ways to overcome negative trend,” the spokesperson said.
Thus, as stated by the spokesperson, the fulfillment of the agreements reached in December 2018 during the First meeting of the Working Group on Increase of Trade between Ukraine and Kazakhstan has made positive impact.
"According to the Ukrainian statistics, in the last year the total volume of trade (goods and services) between Ukraine and Kazakhstan was at the level of $924 million, which is $145 million more than the figures of year 2017," he said.
Furthermore, the spokesperson highlighted that both countries are actively developing cooperation in the investment sphere.
“Kazakhstan invests in financial and insurance spheres, industry, wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, scientific and technical activities, transport, warehousing, postal and courier activities, etc."
Ukraine's investments are mainly directed to the processing industry, food production, machine building, construction, wholesale and retail trade, the spokesperson said.
The official added that Ukrainian business continues its successful expansion in the Kazakh market by creating new joint enterprises and establishing alternative logistics links.
“Together with the Kazakh side we are working on organizing the trade mission visit from Kazakhstan to Ukraine at the end of this year,” the spokesperson concluded.
(1 USD = 385.16 KZT on September 17)
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