Call for better engagement of MPs in effort to boost Belarus-Kazakhstan trade
"Our trade and economic relations are a major talking point. In general, they develop quite well. However, last year's decline of almost 30% raises concerns," Vladimir Andreichenko noted. He believes that this does not match the potential of the two countries, so the working groups set up in the parliaments of Belarus and Kazakhstan should take proper care of the issue.
Kazakhstan is one of the top ten importers of Belarusian products. It is Belarus' third major market in the CIS after Russia and Ukraine. In 2016, the trade between Belarus and Kazakhstan totaled $419.1 million, and Belarus had a trade surplus. Belarus' major exports were tractors and tractor units, milk and dairy products, vehicles and equipment for crop harvesting, trucks, and furniture.
There are eight joint plants assembling Belarusian machinery and equipment in Kazakhstan. The countries are working to launch another six assembly plants in Kazakhstan (Pinsk Small-Scale Mechanization Means Plant, Dorelektromash, and others).
The main document regulating the bilateral relations is the plan of action to strengthen the cooperation between the governments of Belarus and Kazakhstan for 2017 and 2018. The roadmap covers all areas of cooperation, including trade, economy, science, technology, culture, humanitarian affairs, regional and other matters.
The MPs of the two countries cooperate actively in international venues, such as the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The National Assembly of Belarus of the sixth convocation has a working group for cooperation with the parliament of Kazakhstan. The Mazhilis also has such a group, Kazinform has learnt from BelTA .