Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov paid a working visit to Uzbekistan on 14-15 March.

In Tashkent, the Head of the Government of Kazakhstan was received by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. At the meeting, it was noted that relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are a shining example of a strategic partnership based on trust and mutual understanding at the highest level.

The volume of bilateral trade turnover between the two countries at the end of last year amounted to US$4.5 billion.

The governments of both countries are carrying out systematic work to implement investment and industrial projects to further increase trade turnover.

During negotiations at the government level with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, measures were discussed to expand trade, economic, investment, water, energy, transit, transport and cultural cooperation, as well as strengthening interaction in the field of agriculture by expanding the range of supplied goods.

“The presidents of both countries have set the task of bringing Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation to a qualitatively new level. We see significant potential for increasing trade turnover and will make all necessary efforts to achieve high results of our interaction in both bilateral and multilateral formats,” emphasized Olzhas Bektenov.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov confirmed that trusting and friendly relations between the heads of the two states are a key factor for strengthening strategic partnership and alliance.

“The leaders of our countries have identified specific tasks to further expand the multifaceted relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. We are ready to take all necessary measures to implement them,” said Abdulla Aripov.

The parties noted significant progress in industrial cooperation and expressed confidence in the great potential for further development.

Currently, 60 projects are being implemented within the framework of industrial cooperation totaling US$2.6 billion, which has created more than 13.3 thousand jobs. Another 43 projects were recognized as promising.

Particular attention was paid to the International Center for Industrial Cooperation “Central Asia”. Full mutual understanding has also been achieved in agriculture.

During the negotiations, the Head of the Kazakh Government emphasized the importance of further development of transit and transport potential in the region. Particular attention was also paid to cooperation in the field of water use.

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan expressed his readiness to expand export supplies to Uzbekistan in the amount of almost US$500 million for 255 items.

Following the negotiations, Olzhas Bektenov and Abdulla Aripov confirmed the readiness of the governments of both countries to make every effort to continue the progressive development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in all areas of bilateral interaction.

As part of the working visit, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan was also presented with the experience of the Customs Clearance Center in the field of improving administration through the transition to electronic declaration.

In addition, Olzhas Bektenov visited Texnopark, where he got acquainted with the process of high-tech production of industrial, electronic, construction products, as well as equipment for industrial and municipal energy, including elevators and escalators.