November 24, in Tashkent, First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin held negotiations with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdullah Aripov. 

During the meeting, the sides noted the importance of the agreements reached during the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev to Uzbekistan in September 2017, to further intensify bilateral relations. 

"Practical implementation of the agreements of the Heads of State N. Nazarbayev and S. Mirziyoyev will provide a qualitatively new level to the Kazakh-Uzbek relations," A. Mamin said. 

During the meeting, issues of further development of cooperation in industrial, agro-industrial, military-technical, aerospace, transit and transport spheres were discussed. The possibility of providing services of the Kazakhstan group of satellites on remote sensing of the earth and satellite communication was considered. 

"The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for 9 months of 2017 grew by 30% and amounted to $1.5 billion. By the end of this year, the trade turnover will be $2 billion," A. Mamin said and stressed that "by 2020, taking into account the potential volume, mutual trade must be raised to $5 billion."

The sides spoke in favor of realizing the existing potential of regional and cross-border cooperation, an important area of ​​bilateral cooperation. In this regard, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, A. Aripov supported the idea of ​​holding a Forum for Interregional Cooperation, which "will become the basis for further development of trade and economic ties between the two countries." 

The interlocutors noted with satisfaction the symbolism of the meeting taking place within the framework of events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. 

In 2018, the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan is planned to be held, which will demonstrate the fraternal character of the historical heritage and the cultural unity of the two countries. 

During the visit to Tashkent, a working meeting was held between the co-chairmen of the intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan - First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A. Mamin and First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, A. Ramatov. 

The development of trade and economic relations, increasing the volume of mutual trade, expanding the range of goods is facilitated by the activities of the Kazakh-Uzbek Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. 

During the meeting, topical issues of further development of trade and economic cooperation were discussed, success was noted in the implementation of the agreements reached at the 16th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission. 

Trading houses have been established in the spheres of food products, chemistry and petrochemistry. Work is underway to establish trading houses in the machine building and pharmaceutical industries. 

"Aiming at mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation on the widest possible range of issues will provide a qualitatively new content for Kazakh-Uzbek relations," the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan said. 

Following the meeting, A. Mamin and A. Ramatov signed the relevant Protocol.