Strong centuries-old mutual relations of friendship and good-neighborliness have always served the interests of society, the well-being of people. Relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, historical ties between our two fraternal people are strengthening on this basis.
Two states, simultaneously starting their independent path, today are entering a new stage of development. At the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Strategy of Action on five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 was developed, and President Nursultan Nazarbayev in his address to people of Kazakhstan determined the third stage of the country’s modernization. Thus, the two fraternal people today are marching side by side on the path of economic development on the basis of eternal friendship and strategic partnership.
Regular meetings and dialogues of the heads of the two states are giving an opportunity to discuss and consult on important national and regional issues and on this basis to form the image of Central Asia as a single developed space. This can also be seen on the example of mutual integration of transport and communication links, road and rail routes in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
During the state visit of the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kazakhstan on March 22-23, 2017, the Joint Declaration on further deepening the strategic partnership and strengthening good-neighborliness between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan was signed. As noted in the document, the priority area of cooperation is development of transport and transit corridors, ensuring the shortest and effective access to foreign markets, taking into account the huge transit and transport potential of the two states.
Since January 2, 2018, the joint-stock company “Uztemiryulovchi” announced up to 45 percent discounts on railway directions to Kazakhstan and Russia, which became a practical reflection of Uzbekistan’s efforts to provide mutual preferences. Reconstruction of Beynau – Akjigit – Uzbekistan border road should also be noted. This road section with a total length of 85 kilometers and a project cost of almost 20 billion tenge is part of the international transit-transport corridor Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Nukus – Atirau – Astrakhan. This will allow our country to enter the Caspian region and the countries of the European Union. In addition, the opening of Tashkent – Samarkand road passing through the territory of Maktaaral district of Kazakhstan, the launch of Tashkent – Almaty high-speed train and bus routes between the cities of the two countries ensures development of cultural and humanitarian ties, a noticeable growth in trade turnover and investment volumes.
It should be noted that joint activities of business circles are of great importance in strengthening trade and economic ties between our countries. Business forums, B2B negotiations are an important factor in establishing long-term cooperation, developing and implementing new investment projects, in particular, reviewing their key parameters and funding sources. So, during the business forums held in March 2017 in Astana and September of the same year in Tashkent, agreements at the amount of $1.2 billion were signed.
Agreements were reached between “GM Uzbekistan” and Kazakhstan national company on production of vehicles “AllurGroup” on setting up the release of passenger cars under the Ravon brand in Kustanai, which became another success of cooperation in the field of industry.
Establishing ties between the regions of the two countries not only enriches a mutually beneficial partnership, but also serves to identify new prospects for cooperation.
In June 2017, the delegation of Djambul region of Kazakhstan visited Jizzakh, which opened a wide road for further intensification of interregional partnership.
It should be emphasized that such direct links between the regions contribute to ensuring and analyzing the reliability and transparency of external relations and cooperation in the context of the regions, and regularly receiving information on the role of each region in the country’s economy. This also serves as a basis for implementing an effective bottom-up management principle.
There are almost 230 enterprises formed with participation of the Kazakh capital in Uzbekistan, and in Kazakhstan – more than 130 enterprises organized jointly with business circles of Uzbekistan. These days, the sides will further intensify the work on formation of joint ventures, joint development and implementation of promising projects. There is no doubt that such efforts will bring great results in 2018, announced in Kazakhstan as the Year of Uzbekistan.
