The delegation of Kazakhstan, headed by Minister of Trade Serik Zhumangarin, took part in the regular meeting of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission, at which topical issues were discussed and relevant decisions were taken, the press office of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported to CentralAsia.news.
With the view to diversifying trade routes in the EAEU, the Kazakh side proposed to adopt the documents which would bring into force the Agreement on Shipping that was signed at the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Almaty in 2019. Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Russia ratified the document. The Agreement is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan’s fleet to enter the open sea. It will also help promote the transit potential of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk on the Trans-Caspian transport route and transport goods along Russia’s inland waterways to the ports in the Black and Mediterranean Seas and simplify the procedure for the safe passage along the inland water routes of the Russian Federation.
“The development of river shipping will enable to diversify traditional trade routes and opens up new opportunities for Kazakhstan’s exports along with other traditional modes of transport,” the Vice Premier emphasised, noting that the implementation of the agreement will also reduce the time required to get approval for passage along Russia’s inland waterways from 6 months to 10 days.
