The meeting of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, who arrived to Kazakhstan with a state visit, was held in Astana.

The parties discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, including cooperation in trade, industry, agriculture, investment activities, as well as in the transport and logistics and water and energy industries.

The Prime Minister stressed that Tajikistan is one of the most important trade and economic partners of Kazakhstan in the region. In particular, last year the bilateral trade turnover grew by 19% and reached $1.4 billion.

"We see significant potential to further increase mutual trade. In accordance with the set task to bring trade turnover up to $2 billion, we are working together with the Government of Tajikistan to expand trade and economic relations," Alikhan Smailov said.

As noted by the Prime Minister, an important role in this direction is assigned to the Kazakhstan-Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, the next meeting of which was successfully held in April this year. In addition, a road map to increase trade turnover for 2023-2024 was adopted.

Alikhan Smailov also added that a joint business forum held on May 3, which was attended by representatives of many enterprises, contributed to rapprochement of business communities of the two countries. As a result a number of important commercial documents worth $20 million were signed.

"The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan will make every effort to expand trade and economic cooperation with the Republic of Tajikistan. I am convinced that this year the high dynamics of Kazakh-Tajik cooperation will develop in all directions," the Prime Minister said.

For his part, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon indicated a high potential for further strengthening of strategic partnership between the republics.

"For the development of our relations there are all the prerequisites. A rich experience of creative cooperation in all key areas has been accumulated. I would especially like to note the historic significance of the Declaration on allied cooperation adopted today. It opens a wide horizon for strengthening our cooperation," Emomali Rakhmon said.

The Head of Tajikistan noted the importance of rapprochement of business communities of the two countries, increase of mutual trade and activation of cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

"We are ready to cooperate with Kazakhstan in all directions, without any restrictions," Emomali Rakhmon added.

#Alikhan Smailov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #International Cooperation