Astana, Kazakhstan, Jan.29
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
The first meeting of Kazakhstan-Tatarstan working group on trade and economic cooperation has been held in Astana, Kazakh National Economy Ministry said on Jan.28.
The meeting focused on the trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and Tatarstan.
"Kazakhstan and Russia are strategic partners and historical allies," Kazakhstan's Minister of National Economy Yerbolat Dossayev said opening the meeting.
"We have continuous and fruitful trade and economic relations," he said, adding that Kazakhstan has established relations almost with each federal subject of Russia, while the cooperation with Tatarstan plays a special role.
The minister said that the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Tatarstan account for only 3-4 percent of the volume of trade with Russia, adding that it is necessary to increase this share.
"The conditions of the current global crisis require to expand the cooperation, especially in the sphere of investments, agriculture, science and technology," Dossayev said.
He said the operation of KAMAZ - Engineering joint venture is an example of the successful cooperation. KAMAZ - Engineering has been engaged in assembling trucks, dump trucks, crew buses and special equipment since 2005.
"Intensification of mutual integration processes between Kazakhstan and Russia significantly expand Kazakhstan-Tatarstan relations," Dossayev said.
"We should use these opportunities for the development of the trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Tatarstan," he added.
Tatarstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Ravil Zaripov said that Tatarstan is interested in intensifying the trade and economic relations in the sphere of mechanical engineering, fuel and energy complex, transport and urban water supply.
The head of Tatarstan delegation also highly appreciated the work of Kazakhstan's Astana Solar enterprise that specializes in production of solar panels.
Edited by CN