Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov held negotiations with Deputy Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev and Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, who arrived on a working visit to Astana.

The parties discussed issues concerning execution of assignments of the two Heads of State, given following the visit of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Uzbekistan on December 21-22 of this year.

In particular, the sides considered measures to increase mutual trade, including establishment of Joint Foreign Trade Company, consolidation of transport-logistics cooperation and development of relevant infrastructure, launching cooperative projects in industry and agriculture, creation of new processing clusters, setting up supplies of various agricultural products, etc.

Alikhan Smailov stressed that breakthrough agreements in all priority spheres of bilateral interaction have been reached following the visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan. Their implementation is detailed in a specially developed Road Map, which will give impetus to further strengthening of the strategic partnership between the republics.

"The Heads of our States have set a number of top-priority tasks and concrete deadlines have been set for their implementation. We need to ensure coordinated and efficient work for implementation of all the set measures to improve the well-being of our citizens," the Prime Minister said.

He added that trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continues to grow dynamically. In this regard, one of the main tasks is to eliminate bottlenecks in transporting products and administrative barriers in general.

"Entrepreneurs of our countries actively cooperate, so we need to help businesses in every way possible to launch new joint projects. We are ready to work together with you in this direction," Alikhan Smailov said.

In addition, the sides discussed current issues of cooperation in water management.

In turn, Jamshid Khojaev emphasized readiness of the Government of Uzbekistan to work productively in close cooperation with the Government of Kazakhstan to achieve common goals and objectives in all mutually beneficial directions.

At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov signed the Roadmap on implementation of agreements reached between the presidents of the two countries on Dec. 21-22, 2022. On the Uzbekistan side this document will be signed by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.