Abdulla Aripov and Alikhan Smailov held talks in Tashkent

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov held talks in Tashkent ahead of the 20th meeting of the intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation.

According to the press service of the government of Kazakhstan, the parties discussed a number of topical issues of Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation, including joint steps in the field of trade, industrial cooperation, investment activities, energy, logistics, the use of transboundary water bodies, as well as strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties.

Alikhan Smailov stressed that Uzbekistan is one of the largest trade partners of Kazakhstan. In particular, in 2022, bilateral trade reached the planned milestone of $5 billion.

“This was made possible thanks to common efforts. Now, in accordance with the tasks set at the highest level, we have to increase the volume of mutual trade up to $10 billion in the medium term,” Smailov said.

At the same time, he noted the special role of the Kazakh-Uzbek intergovernmental commission in solving a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation.

In turn, Abdulla Aripov outlined the high potential for further strengthening the strategic partnership between the republics.

“There is a positive trend in mutual trade. Significant industrial cooperation projects are being implemented in many sectors of the economy. Uzbekistan aims to further strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, transport, agriculture, water management and other areas. In general, we are interested in further deepening relations with fraternal Kazakhstan,” he said.