Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov took part in a regular meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS, held in Turkmenistan. 

Upon arrival in Ashgabat, Olzhas Bektenov was received by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Head of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan conveyed warm words of greetings from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the conversation the high level of bilateral relations based on mutual respect was noted. The trade turnover between the two countries increased by 28% over the year and amounted to $563 million. According to the results of three months of the current year, mutual trade totalled $105 million. The sides discussed issues of cooperation in the gas sphere, as well as the implementation of joint Kazakhstan-Turkmen projects in the field of agriculture. 

At the meeting of the CIS SSP, the sides had a thorough exchange of views on topical issues of co-operation in the Commonwealth. The meeting resulted in the adoption of a package of documents aimed at further development and strengthening of integration ties in various spheres. 

The Heads of Government discussed aspects of economic cooperation. A number of issues on the development of cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, chemical industry, ecology and handling of hazardous waste, healthcare, countering offences in the field of intellectual property, etc. were discussed. 

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov noted the need to deepen trade ties through the expansion of commodity nomenclature and effective logistics. Functioning of unique mechanisms, in particular free trade zone, allows to strengthen the economic potential of the Commonwealth. The Head of the Government of Kazakhstan dwelt separately on the issue of improving the investment environment of the CIS. 

Special attention was paid to the development of transport corridors in the CIS. Currently, Kazakhstan has formed a network of transit transcontinental routes with a total amount of attracted investments of over $35 billion, which allows to carry out more than 80% of land transportations between Europe and Asia through the territory of the country. To create efficient logistics chains, Olzhas Bektenov noted the need to strengthen cooperation on harmonisation of tariff policy and digitalisation of customs procedures. The meeting also considered measures to intensify co-operation in the agricultural sector and on food security.

"We are aimed at ensuring economic self-sufficiency, creating a strong "industrial framework" of the country, updating critical infrastructure, rebooting the agro-industrial complex and effective use of transport and logistics potential of Kazakhstan. We are confident that for the full realisation of these goals it is also important to strengthen cooperation with our main partners," Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov stressed. 

Following the results of the meeting, 11 documents were signed to promote further development of co-operation. The next session of the CIS Council of Heads of Government will be held in the Russian city of Sochi on 7-8 November. 

On the margins of the meeting also held a bilateral meeting of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Zhaparov. On the agenda discussed issues of implementation of joint agreements on the development of trade and economic cooperation following the visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov to Kazakhstan. Heads of Government confirmed the intention to intensify work to achieve the new task set by the Heads of State to bring the volume of trade turnover to $3 billion.

#Olzhas Bektenov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #International Cooperation