Kazakhstan plans to increase its export supplies to Uzbekistan by 255 items.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have reached an agreement to eliminate trade barriers and increase the volume of trade between the two countries. As we previously reported, during a meeting on March 15, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov discussed the prospects for developing bilateral relations, particularly focusing on cooperation in industry, transport, and logistics. Both sides acknowledged the need for active support of a new portfolio of investment programs in priority sectors and infrastructure projects of regional significance in the fields of transport and energy.

Government-level negotiations with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, focused on measures to expand trade-economic, investment, water-energy, transit-transport, and cultural cooperation, as well as strengthening collaboration in agriculture by broadening the range of supplied goods.

The presidents of the two countries have set the goal of elevating Kazakhstan-Uzbek cooperation to a qualitatively new level. We see significant potential for increasing trade turnover and will make all necessary efforts to achieve high results in our interaction, both bilaterally and multilaterally,

- emphasized Olzhas Bektenov.

For his part, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, confirmed that the trusting and friendly relations at the level of the heads of state are an important factor in strengthening the strategic partnership and alliance.

The leaders of our countries have identified specific tasks for further expanding multifaceted relations between the two countries. I express my readiness to take all necessary measures to accomplish these tasks,

— said Abdulla Aripov.

It was previously reported that in 2023, Uzbekistan increased imports of products from Kazakhstan to 11.1 million tons, which is 35.8% more than in 2022. However, in monetary terms, the volume of supplies decreased by 13.8% to $3.1 billion. The trade turnover between the two Central Asian countries in 2023 amounted to $4.4 billion, which is 10% less than in 2022.

The main export commodity was wheat, with a supply volume of 3.5 million tons. While the volume of grain imports increased by 18.5%, the price of this commodity fell by 3.2%, resulting in a monetary reduction to $797.3 million. This price decrease is attributed to poor harvests and a large quantity of low-quality products.

Additionally, there was an increase in supplies of semi-finished products, flat rolled products, wire, and rods made of iron, with a total volume of 935.3 thousand tons, fertilizers – 256.1 thousand tons, and coal – 3.1 million tons.

At the same time, exports from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan decreased to 1.6 million tons, or $1.2 billion, which is 1.5 times less than in 2022. Kazakhstan purchased less fruit and vegetable products (267.6 thousand tons), fruits (183.9 thousand tons), and cognac (7.2 thousand tons).