The forum, initiated by the Heads of State Nursultan Nazarbayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was attended by heads of the regions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Speaking at the plenary meeting of the forum, the First Vice Premier of Kazakhstan noted that the 2018 was successful in bringing the two peoples closer together in cultural, trade and economic areas. Askar Mamin noted the symbolism of the forum in the successful holding of the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan, stressing that “a large number of events have been held this year that will serve to further developing of bilateral cooperation.”

Mutual trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan shows positive dynamics. The trade turnover for the first 9 months of 2018 amounted to more than $2 billion, which is more than 40% higher than the same period of 2017.

“Following the 2018results, according to forecasts, the volume of mutual trade will be $3 billion. Taking into account the large potential for further increase in the volume of trade, the Heads of State have set the goal of achieving a trade turnover of up to $5 billion by 2020,” the First Vice Prime Minister of Kazakhstan emphasized.

Askar Mamin and Achilbay Ramatov inspected the checkpoints on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan — Zhibek Zholy and Yallama.

During the inspection, the need to modernize the infrastructure of border crossing points using digital technologies, accelerated reconstruction of existing checkpoints, elaboration of issues on opening two new checkpoints, as well as building a bus station, was noted.

Mamin noted the strategic importance of removing infrastructure restrictions at border crossing points, creating favorable conditions for the movement of citizens, goods and vehicles across the joint border.

The most important area of cooperation between the two countries should be industry, construction, transport, transit, tourism, etc.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Ramatov, in turn, noted that “the partnership between the two countries has a solid foundation and a long-term perspective. At present, there are 260 enterprises in Uzbekistan with Kazakh capital in various sectors of the economy. The holding of the year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan will be the starting point for increasing cooperation in all spheres.”

Following the results of the Forum, the leaders of the regions of the two countries signed 16 documents for implementation of joint projects in priority sectors of the economy.

Agreements on the mutual recognition of visa regimes by the Silk Road countries and the creation of a joint venture between KTZh Express JSC and the Uzavtotranstekhnika Scientific and Production Center were signed. Also, KazTransGas JSC and Uztransgas JSC signed an Agreement on the transportation of natural gas through the territory of Uzbekistan.

Mamin and Ramatov visited the exhibition complex “Korme,” in which the products of two countries’ manufacturing, automobile, chemical, textile, wood processing industries, etc. were presented.