Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The twentieth meeting of the intergovernmental joint commission on bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was held today in Tashkent.

At a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov, it was noted that bilateral relations are actively developing on the principles of strategic partnership and alliance.

It was noted that the joint efforts of Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tagayev are an important factor.

The parties noted that mutual trade is developing rapidly. Trade has more than doubled in the last five years. Last year, its volume amounted to US$4.6 billion.

The leaders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan set the task for the government to bring the volume of trade to US$10 billion in the next few years.

The working groups formed in this direction are currently actively working. Today, more than 1,200 enterprises with the participation of Kazakh capital operate in Uzbekistan.

“There is a positive trend in mutual trade. Significant industrial cooperation projects are being implemented in many sectors of the economy. Uzbekistan aims to further strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, transport, agriculture and water management and other areas. In general, we are interested in further deepening relations with fraternal Kazakhstan,” said Abdulla Aripov.

The priority direction of deepening the economic partnership, of course, is the development of industrial cooperation.

The road map, adopted following the talks between the leaders of the two countries in December last year in Tashkent, covers all priority areas, including specific projects worth $10 billion.

Among them are the construction of thermal power plants, the production of phosphate and mineral fertilizers, household appliances, pharmaceutical products, the creation of textile clusters, the expansion of car production, and much more.

At the meeting, it was noted that these tasks will contribute to further intensification of mutual cooperation and the creation of new jobs.

An exchange of views took place on the further expansion of cooperation in trade and investment, industry, energy, transport, agriculture and water management, education, healthcare, and the cultural and humanitarian sphere.

As a result of the meeting, a number of documents were signed.