BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 25. Astana hosted the
14th meeting of the Kazakh-Turkmen Intergovernmental Commission on
Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation.
This was reported in a press release published by Kazakhstan's
Ministry of Transport.
“The meeting was chaired by Galymzhan Koyshybayev, Deputy Prime
Minister and Chief of Staff of the Government of the Republic of
Kazakhstan, and Nokerguly Atagulyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet
of Ministers of Turkmenistan,” the report says.
According to the ministry, the sides confirmed their commitment
to further strengthening the strategic partnership based on the
principles of good-neighborliness and mutual trust.
The ministry noted that bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and
Turkmenistan has doubled over the past five years. To further
expand trade turnover, the parties agreed to develop a roadmap
aimed at increasing mutual trade, continue efforts to establish
trade houses, and strengthen industrial cooperation and direct
business contacts.
The commission reviewed cooperation in a broad range of sectors,
including oil and gas, agriculture, water management, environmental
protection, construction, telecommunications, science, higher
education, healthcare, culture, youth policy, sports and
tourism.
At the same day, the first Kazakh-Turkmen Business Forum was
also held, and brought together representatives of government
agencies, the diplomatic corps and business communities from both
countries, the ministry reports.
According to the ministry, participants discussed prospects for
expanding trade and economic ties, implementing joint investment
projects and developing industrial cooperation. They also
highlighted the importance of utilizing business support
instruments, including the Astana International Financial Centre,
development institutions and special economic zones.
"Following the commission meeting and business forum, the sides
confirmed their readiness for the practical implementation of the
agreements reached," the ministry said.
The report notes, that the corresponding measures are aimed at
strengthening strategic partnership, increasing bilateral trade and
developing the transit potential of Kazakhstan and
Turkmenistan.
For reference, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan maintain a strategic
partnership centered on trade, transport connectivity and energy
cooperation. Bilateral trade has grown more than fourfold over the
past five years and has consistently exceeded $500 million
annually, while the two countries have set a target of increasing
trade turnover to $1 billion. Particular attention is being paid to
the development of transit corridors linking Central Asia with the
Caspian region and beyond, including cooperation on rail, road and
logistics infrastructure, as well as joint efforts to strengthen
regional connectivity and cross-border commerce.
