Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliev discussed the strengthening of Kazakh-Chinese trade cooperation and the opening of a trade mission in the city of Urumqi at a meeting with Secretary of Communist Party Committee of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China Ma Xinzhui and the Erkin Tuniyaz , chairman of China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, El.kz reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
As Arman Shakkaliev noted, last year the heads of our states announced the beginning of a new "golden 30th anniversary" of interaction and friendship between peoples and adopted a plan to deepen bilateral cooperation. In the coming years, Kazakhstan and China will continue to work on expanding trade and economic relations, improving business conditions, including in the field of customs clearance and mutual recognition of product quality standards.
In turn, Ma Xinzhui expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the joint action plan. The new thirtieth anniversary, according to the secretary of the XUAR party committee, will give impetus to the further development of Chinese-Kazakh relations in all areas, including transit and logistics infrastructure, trade and tourism.
"Targeted work is being carried out with each of the provinces, a joint action plan is being developed to increase trade and attract investment in projects in priority areas. Kazakh business is showing more and more interest in supplying products to the Chinese market. We very much appreciate the support of the leadership of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in addressing the issues of access for domestic goods to the PRC," the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan said during the talks.
According to Arman Shakkaliyev, domestic producers are ready to export more than 250 thousand tons of vegetable oil and other products in the next two years.
At the meeting, the interlocutors touched upon the issues of preparation for the annual EXPO China-Eurasia exhibition and the opening of a Kazakh trade office in Urumqi.
"To increase trade between our countries, in particular with the XUAR, the Head of State instructed to open a trade mission in Urumqi. The QazTrade organization, subordinate to the ministry, will be engaged in the activities of this representative office. In the future, it will become a conduit between our manufacturers and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region companies interested in purchasing products," the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan said.
He also explained that the export operator QazTrade will search for potential importers of Kazakh products in the Chinese market, negotiate with the business community of the PRC on export-import relations with Kazakhstan, as well as conduct business missions for business representatives, ensure participation in international exhibitions and other events.
The creation of a trade representative office will speed up export-import operations and will allow for continuous cooperation between entrepreneurs of the two countries.
Arman Shakkaliev proposed to hold the opening ceremony of the trade mission of Kazakhstan in Urumqi within the framework of the July meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO member states, which will be held in Astana.
Kazakh business annually participates in the China-Eurasia exhibition. Last year, Kazakhstan's stand became one of the best among 40 countries that presented their products at the EXPO. As a result of the exhibition, domestic companies signed export contracts worth over $100 million. Arman Shakkaliev confirmed the participation of Kazakh entrepreneurs in the international EXPO in Urumqi, which this year will be held from June 26 to 30.
In addition, the parties discussed the prospects for cooperation in the implementation of joint investment projects. In particular, Kazakh business is interested in Chinese investments in the construction of feedlots, the creation of projects for meat processing, processing of cereal products, as well as the construction of infrastructure.
At the end of the meeting, Mr.Ma Xinzhui announced the holding of the III Forum of Cross-Border Cooperation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People's Republic of China, which will be held in June this year within the framework of the China-Eurasia exhibition in Urumqi and invited the Kazakh side in a high format to take part in it.