BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan signed a number of memorandums between regions, as well
as commercial agreements worth more than 80 billion tenge (about
$170.9 million) following the first meeting of the Council of Heads
of Regions of the two countries held in Aktau, according to the
press service of the Kazakh government.


The meeting was attended by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas
Bektenov and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov.


It was noted that the new mechanism of interregional cooperation
was established by a joint decision of the Presidents of Kazakhstan
and Uzbekistan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aimed
at expanding direct ties between regions and strengthening trade
and investment cooperation.


"Establishing the Council of Regional Leaders was a logical
continuation of the intensive dialogue between the heads of our
states and has opened new opportunities for deepening interregional
cooperation. Strengthening direct ties between regions plays an
important role in further expanding trade and investment
cooperation," Bektenov said.


He noted that the Council's activities would contribute to
achieving the goal set by the two countries' leaders of increasing
bilateral trade turnover to $10 billion.


During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for
developing industrial cooperation, transport infrastructure, trade,
investment and tourism.


Particular attention was paid to the full launch of the
International Center for Industrial Cooperation "Central Asia",
which is expected to become a platform for implementing joint
production projects.







Bektenov also highlighted the importance of developing modern
transport and logistics infrastructure, noting the strategic
position of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at the crossroads of major
Eurasian routes.


The parties emphasized the role of the Trans-Caspian
International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), as well as its
integration with the North-South and Trans-Afghan corridors.


In 2025, the volume of cargo transshipment through Kazakhstan's
Aktau and Kuryk seaports reached 8 million tonnes. In the first
half of the current year, container transportation through
Kazakhstan's ports increased by 5% and exceeded 50,000 TEUs.


The meeting brought together more than 300 representatives of
businesses from both countries, along with heads of regions of
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.


Kazakhstan's Mangystau, Aktobe, Kyzylorda and Turkistan regions
share borders with Uzbekistan's Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well
as Jizzakh, Navoi, Syrdarya and Tashkent regions. The total length
of the state border between the two countries is about 2,300
km.