Today, within the framework of the XXV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bakhyt Sultanov took part in the panel session "Partnerships in Eurasia: new features", Delovoy Kazakhstan reports.
During his speech, Bakhyt Sultanov focused on the topic of food security. In order to ensure domestic food stability, many countries introduce restrictive measures in the trade of foodstuffs. Which, coupled with failures of traditional supply chains, exacerbates the risks.
"The timeliness and volume of deliveries are important. For many foodstuffs, the countries of Eurasia are complementary, it is important to develop optimal supply schemes taking into account seasonality, the availability of raw materials," Bakhyt Sultanov said.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted the importance of creating a convenient and modern logistics infrastructure. This is one of the key factors in strengthening economic ties between countries in the Eurasian space, as well as the main conductor of exports of goods to world markets. As part of the tasks of forming a modern and efficient sales infrastructure, a project to create a National commodity distribution system will be implemented in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
"A system of trade hubs for the Eurasian space is being created in the border regions of Kazakhstan. These are the Khorgos hub on the border with China, the Central Asia International Trade and Economic Cooperation Center on the border with Uzbekistan, the Alatau Border Trade Center on the border with Kyrgyzstan, the Eurasia Trade and Industrial Hub on the territory of the West Kazakhstan region on the border with the Russian Federation," Bakhyt Sultanov said.
At the same time, these hubs will be logically linked to the ports of Aktau and Kuryk, participating in the distribution of export-import flows with the Caspian countries, as well as Turkey and Europe. This will create an effective food supply chain within the region and a basis for increasing mutual trade.
The idea of developing a Large Eurasian partnership remains relevant today. According to Bakhyt Sultanov, the concept of Greater Eurasia is already being implemented. The given vector is becoming particularly relevant in the current conditions.
"China and the EAEU countries have signed an agreement on trade and economic cooperation. A Temporary agreement has been in force with Iran since October 2019. Negotiations on the conclusion of a free trade agreement with Indonesia have been launched, negotiations are also underway with India, and an agreement with Mongolia is being worked out. At the same time, the total potential for increasing exports when concluding agreements with the above countries for Kazakhstan alone is about $1.5 billion," B. Sultanov said.
It should be noted that the XXV anniversary International Economic Forum started in St. Petersburg yesterday. It will last until the 18th. Representatives of more than 90 countries will take part.
