Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The governments of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan plan to increase mutual trade volume to US$10 billion by introducing a full free trade regime and replacing imports from third countries. This was reported by the press service of the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov.

On 11-12 July, the 21st meeting of the intergovernmental joint commission on bilateral cooperation was held in Almaty, chaired by the Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Abdulla Aripov and Olzhas Bektenov.

"In the context of geopolitical instability and rapidly changing circumstances, it is necessary to effectively utilize the existing reserves to increase the volume of mutual trade to US$10 billion in the coming years. This requires strengthening systematic efforts to replace imports from third countries and transitioning to a full free trade regime," the statement said.

The meeting also discussed the development of cooperation in the fields of industrial cooperation, transportation, energy, agriculture, science, education, and the strengthening of regional ties and other areas.