(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By Ayya Lmahamad
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have signed several deals on economic
cooperation during the trade and economic business mission of
Kazakh manufacturers to Baku, Azernews reports.
A memorandum of cooperation was signed between QazTrade and
Ganja Entrepreneurs PA. At the same time, contracts were signed for
the supply of rolled metal products, sunflower oil, salt, rice and
paint products.
Moreover, an agreement was signed between the Kazakh Institute
of Standardization and Metrology and the Azerbaijani State
Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Patents.
Trade turnover
QazTrade's Director-General Azamat Askaruly stated that the
trade turnover between the two countries tripled in the first
quarter of 2022.
In this regard, he mentioned that the trade turnover reached
$100 million in January-March 2022.
'I am sure the trade turnover will reach $500 million this year
and we will be able to reach $1 billion in perspective,' he
said.
To recall, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan
amounted to $135.7 million in 2021.
Investments
Agency for Small and Medium Business Development Chairman Orkhan
Mammadov mentioned that Azerbaijan's investments in the Kazakh
non-oil sector from 1995 to 2021 amounted to more than $200
million, while Kazakhstan's investments in the Azerbaijani non-oil
sector totaled about $100 million.
Noting that over 15,000 companies with foreign capital are
registered in Azerbaijan, he emphasized that 159 of them are
companies with the Kazakh capital, operating in the sphere of
industry, construction, trade, agriculture, transport, and
services. He added that Azerbaijani companies are also represented
in the Kazakh market.
The chairman added that the agency attaches great importance to
expanding ties with specialized organizations in Kazakhstan at the
level of government agencies, as well as directly with the business
community.
'We closely cooperate with the Damu Entrepreneurship Development
Fund, and our delegations also participate in the national
exhibition 'Ulttyq Onim' held annually in Nur-Sultan city,' he
said.
Additionally, he expressed an interest in attracting Kazakh
business to Azerbaijan and readiness to provide the necessary
assistance.
Trans-Caspian International Transport Route
Speaking at the event, Kazakh Ambassador Serzhan Abdykarimov
underlined the necessity to work on the development of the
Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. He noted that the
volume of cargo transportation via this route is expected to grow
six-fold by the end of 2022.
Noting that in the post-pandemic period, the trade turnover
between the two countries has increased and direct flights were
launched, the ambassador emphasized that conducting a trade and
economic mission will contribute to an even greater growth of trade
and economic cooperation.
Abdykarimov recalled that recently a memorandum on the creation
of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Expert Council was signed.
'I invite all entrepreneurs to take part in its work. This is a
good platform for the development of not only political but also
economic relations,' he opined.
Additionally, he said that this year marks the 30th anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two
countries.
'The visit of the president of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan is
expected this year. During the visit a number of documents are
expected to be signed,' he said.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor was
established in February 2014 with the participation of relevant
Azerbaijani, Kazakh, and Georgian cargo transportation agencies.
Ukraine, Romania, and Poland have recently been mentioned.
Currently, the route begins in the Chinese port of Lianyungang and
passes through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
and Turkey, reaching further Europe either via the Georgian Black
Sea ports or Turkey through the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway.
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Ayya Lmahamad is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @AyyaLmahamad
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@AzerNewsAz
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