Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend A.Ismaylova / Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are to increase trade turnover between the two countries from the existing $300 mln to $1bln. It will firstly be made possible through oil and gas co-operation, said Azerbaijan President's Press-Secretary, Azer Gasimov, at the briefing dedicated to the results of Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev's visit to Kazakhstan.
According to him, the Memorandum signed in Kazakhstan between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and 'KazMunayGaz' JSC envisages transporting Kazakh gas to Europe via the territory of Azerbaijan. In addition, Gasimov said that the Russian-Kazakh agreement on gas transportation will not affect the possible transportation of Kazakh gas via Azerbaijan.
Further the trade turnover is intended to be increased at the expense of transportation and transit of the cargos through the transport corridors that pass via the territories of the two countries. Kazakhstan voiced its wish to export to Europe via Azerbaijan, including via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, Gasimov said. Azerbaijan also intends to use the territory of Kazakhstan to transport its cargos to China and Middle Asia.
Furthermore, active co-operation relating to agriculture is also planned to be carried out. A grinding complex is intended to be constructed in Azerbaijan. Kazakhstan has also shown interest in receiving fruit and vegetable from Azerbaijan.