The hope for an active promotion of Georgia as a country with the “best investment and business environment” by all honorary consuls in their countries of residence was expressed by the vice prime minister, and their efforts made in this direction were “highly appreciated” by him. As it was said by Levan Davitashvili, the economy … Read more
A meeting between Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan Akmalkhodja Mavlonov and Daniyar Janalinov, chairman of the State Revenue Committee of the Finance Ministry of Kazakhstan, took place in Shymkent.
The implementation of the bilateral documents signed in the field of customs during the state visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kazakhstan in December 2021 was on the main focus during the visit.
A working meeting on December 25, 2021 was held and a protocol on cooperation was signed by the heads of the customs services of both countries in order to imply these documents.
They discussed in detail mutual coordination of construction works at border-customs posts “Navoi” (Uzbekistan) – “Qoplonbek” (Kazakhstan) and “Dout ota” (Uzbekistan) – “Tajen” (Kazakhstan) located on the border of the Uzbek-Kazakh state and the execution of tasks arising in the process at this meeting.
The start of the system of advance information exchange about the goods and means of transport moving through the customs borders from December 15 of this year was also agreed.
The sides also discussed the issues of mutual comparison and coordination of customs statistics on foreign trade between the two countries, joint customs control of energy resources transported across customs borders at the meeting.
They put forward a proposal to establish a permanent “customs service representative” within the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan to quickly consider and resolve customs issues.
The mutual cooperation plan for 2023-2024 was signed by the parties following the meeting.
The agreement sets the next meeting for the second quarter of 2023.
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Geneva, Switzerland has hosted a roundtable on “Azerbaijan 2022: energy source and logistics hub for Europe and Asia”.
The Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG) organized the event with the support of the Joint Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Switzerland-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) and SOCAR Trading.
The list of speakers of the meeting included Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Switzerland Fuad Isgandarov, Chairman of the Board of Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (KOBIA) Orkhan Mammadov, Director of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services Nathalie Hardyn, Managing Director of the Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus Dorit Sallis, head of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Departments on the South Caucasus and other countries Seraina Sigron and representative of SOCAR Trading Taghi Taghizada.
The presentations by KOBIA, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) were featured at the roundtable, and the country’s investment potential, as well as logistics and energy opportunities, were provided to SMEs in Azerbaijan by Switzerland’s M&M company’ support and services.
A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation has been signed by KOBIA, the Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus (JCC) and Swiss Alternative Financing company was signed during the meeting.
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The meeting between Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita and representatives of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – one of those five international financial institutions, member of the World Bank Group – took place today. According to the government’s communication and protocol department, projects underway and new perspectives of developing the cooperation between Moldova and IFC were the main topic of the discussions.
The results of the study of diagnosing the private sector of Moldova, carried out by the World Bank in the private sector, as well as the need of increasing the number of private companies from Moldova, which are to make qualitative business and to have as many jobs as possible, were particularly referred to by the sides. Ways of enforcing the provisions of the law on insolvency were also analyzed by the participants of the meeting.
Moldova’s benefited from consultancy on behalf of the International Finance Corporation within the project and the reform of the investment climate in Moldova, Phase II, with a budget of 3.8 million dollars was also mentioned by the officials during the discussions. The increase of the agricultural exports, through the opening of the European Union’s market for the animal origin products (fowl, eggs, milk and dairy products) and strengthening the export capacities of the horticultural sector are the goals of the project.
15 active projects are presently included in the World Bank’s portfolio in Moldova. Modernization of the health sector and the governmental services, enhancing of the competitiveness of the agro-food sector and improvement the local roads are planned to be achieved by their carrying out. The education’s reform, Moldova’s energy security, security of water and sanitation supply in the country, as well as the enhancement of the competitiveness of the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are regarded by other projects.
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A protocol on the procedure for determining the country – producer of goods to the agreement on a free trade zone has been signed by the foreign ministers of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Ukraine within the framework of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM) meeting in New York.
The 39th meeting of the Council of Ministers was held by the foreign ministers of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM) during the high-level week of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. The signing of a protocol on the procedure for determining the country – producer of goods to the agreement on the creation of a free trade zone was reported.
A convention on mutual assistance in consular matters was signed by the countries. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, the importance of coordinated actions at the international platform was recognized by the foreign ministers of all the four states.
The establishment of GUAM organization took place in 1997. Uzbekistan was also its member from 1999 to 2005. Strengthening democracy, ensuring stable development and strengthening international and regional security are proclaimed as the main tasks of the organization. The countries signed an agreement on the creation of a free trade zone between in 2002.
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More than 150 delegates gathered in Nur-Sultan on Sept. 6 in the frames of the Kazakhstan-Germany business forum to explore the country’s opportunities in the industry, energy, and logistics.
With investments worth nearly $5.3 billion since 2005, Germany is one of key partners for Kazakhstan. The country’s non-resource sector gets nearly 90 percent of the German investments.
Heads of central and local government agencies, national and quasi-state companies, representatives of industry and regional business associations, as well as heads of leading German companies, including Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, SAP, Becker Mining Systems AG, Knauf, and Wilo, attended the forum organized by the Kazakh Embassy in Germany and Kazakh Invest.
According to First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, Kazakhstan has a lot to offer: vast hydrocarbon and mineral reserves remain the backbone of the economy, but the progress toward diversification into other sectors is being made.
Sklyar also mentioned preferences offered to them at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) (tax exemptions extending to 50 years, simplified currency exchanges, and simplified visa and labor regimes) as examples of the aforementioned support for investors.
According to him, they approved a draft of a new concept of Kazakhstan’s investment policy, focusing on increasing the investment attractiveness of the country in the face of increased ESG [environmental, social, and corporate governance] requirements, global energy and technological transition. Measures to optimize and simplify tax regimes, subsidies and other incentives for investors in priority sectors of the economy are included in innovations.
In 2021, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Germany attained $2.2 billion (6.4 percent more than in 2020) and $1.2 billion in goods only in the first half of 2022.
The potential of Kazakhstan to increase exports to Germany for more than 140 commodity items worth around 1 billion euros (US$1 billion) was stressed by Sklyar.
Dominik Schnichels, co-chair of the Kazakhstan-Germany intergovernmental working group said that Kazakhstan and Germany have huge potential to implement joint projects across many areas. He underlined the increased importance of cooperation in the food security, energy freedom and supply chain sectors of the economy despite the post-pandemic crisis and the current geopolitical situation.
According to Schnichels, Kazakhstan has great potential in many areas of the economy important for Germany: these are both non-renewable energy sources and the development of a very relevant direction for the world – production of renewable energy sources and human potential.
The interest of the German delegates in Kazakhstan’s potential to increase the supply of traditional energy resources to Germany and in the production and subsequent export of green energy was shown at the meeting, as well as the importance of Kazakhstan as a trade and investment partner in Central Asia and as a transit country for the transportation of goods from Asia to Europe was stressed.
The data from the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development shows the increase of the volume of transit cargo shipments from Germany through the territory of Kazakhstan by 47 percent to 2,300 tons in the first half of this year.
Kazakhstan’s interest in the development of close ties with Germany in the automotive industry was demonstrated by Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan Kairbek during his meeting with Schnichels.
According to Uskenbaev, 14 projects worth $719.4 million have been implemented creating more than 2,200 jobs as part of the Kazakh-German cooperation in the sphere of industry. A major joint project with CLAAS on the production of agricultural machinery was especially highlighted by him. At least 80 tractors have been produced by the company this year.
They also introduced the principle of individual support and follow-up with every investor. The Prime Minister now also acts as an investment ombudsman of the Council of Foreign Investors, which operates with the participation of the Head of State. Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is Central Asia’s only international financial center with an independent court and an international arbitration center based on English law. They have created special economic and industrial zones in priority sectors of the economy in almost all regions of the country. A center of excellence in medical education and science is situated there, as well as many technology parks for the development of nanotechnology, entrepreneurship and the innovation economy in the country.
According to the First Deputy Prime Minister, the transport framework created by Kazakhstan and its integration into global transport corridors is very important due to international transport links connecting Europe and Asia through Kazakhstan.
R. Sklyar said that it was only about a part of institutional reforms aimed at improving the investment climate and business climate in our country.
The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Germany, together with “NC “KAZAKH INVEST” JSC, with the support of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy and the Representative Office of the German Economy in Central Asia in Almaty, organized the event during the visit of the German delegation, headed by the co-Chairman of the Kazakhstan-Germany Intergovernmental Working Group, and director of foreign economic policy of the Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection of Germany, Dr. Dominik Schnichels to Kazakhstan. The meeting between the German delegation and the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also took place during the visit.
The event was headlined: “Adaptation to the New Rules of Global Business – Common Opportunities in Industry, Energy and Logistics”.
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A delegation of economic and commercial figures from East Azerbaijan Province to Armenia was headed by Governor of the province Abedin Khorram during his second trip to neighboring countries after his visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
He noted that tracking customs and transport issues and the establishment of a joint trading city on the border of the two countries and a joint technology city between Iran and Armenia are among the most important goals of this trip.
According to Khorram, he carried out this trip in accordance with the use of border opportunities and the development of the province’s international relations and on the basis of the powers that the government has.
He underlined the strategic role of the development of relations with neighboring countries and an active presence in regional markets in the policy of the 13th government in the field of diplomacy. Khorram also emphasized on a significant contribution to the implementation of this policy that East Azerbaijan has as the neighbor of several important countries in the region.
They also planned meetings and negotiations with government officials, such as the Minister of Economy, the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Regional Administration and Infrastructure, the Deputy Minister of Economy of this country during this trip.
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Talks between Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev and the head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Charlotte Adriaen were held.
They discussed the current state and prospects for the development of trade, economic, financial and technical cooperation, as well as interaction within the framework of Uzbekistan’s entry into the World Trade Organization at the meeting.
Obtaining the status of a GSP+ beneficiary by Uzbekistan made it possible to increase the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the EU member states by 15% (to $2.4 billion) in the period from January to July 2022. Mutual readiness to maintain and extend these relations was expressed by the parties.
According to the sides, a new impetus to further expand bilateral relations and improve economic development will be given by the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the EU and attracting European investment and experience in such areas as technical regulation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, protection of intellectual property rights, customs regulation and more.
The participants also discussed the course of interaction within the framework of Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO at the meeting. The commitment to continue providing technical and advisory support in this process was expressed by European side.
The new Indicative EU Partnership Program with Uzbekistan for 2021-2024 was discussed by the parties. Supplementary projects and initiatives in the field of modernization of agriculture and water management, economic development with a special focus on digital and green transformations and measures to transform the Aral Sea region into a zone of environmental innovation and technology were proposed.
An agreement to continue cooperation within the framework of the discussed initiatives and organize bilateral events at various levels in the near future was reached by the sides following the meeting.
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Parviz Shahbazov, the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan and Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev, the First Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan (Acting Minister), met together in order to accelerate the processes related to the development of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan energy cooperation.
Ensuring the implementation of agreements on cooperation in the field of energy and the instructions during the visit of the head of state to Uzbekistan in June this year were discussed at the meeting.
According to minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov, it is very important to mutually assess wide opportunities for energy cooperation and to establish joint partnerships in the period of new realities, where the basis for the comprehensive development of relations between the two countries with common historical and cultural values is laid. As the minister noted, the deepening of the strategic partnership in the energy sector was actualized by the historic state visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan. The two relevant ministries of the two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding and the road map of the joint activities on energy in Tashkent. The implementation of results-oriented measures and the development of multi-spectrum energy cooperation will be contributed to by today’s discussions.
According to Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev, there are important tasks ahead in the new stage of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, and Uzbek and Azerbaijani experts have valuable experience in the renewable energy and hydrocarbon sector. The development of the energy sector and the economy in general in both countries will be pushed forward by the traditional friendly relations of the two countries and joint efforts.
The ministers signed a roadmap on expanding of the energy cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan during the meeting. 30 areas are covered by the roadmap, such as the creation of a joint working group, cooperation in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the participation of Uzbek companies in renewable energy projects, as well as joint activities in the hydrocarbon sector. The document announces cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan on export and import of oil and gas and chemical products, oil refining, as well as geological exploration and hydrocarbon production, along with the energy transition and decarbonization. The exchange of the best experiences in the fields of construction of new thermal power plants, heat supply, liberalization of energy markets, efficient use of energy resources, organize joint trainings, as well as promotion of mutual investments, and cooperation between Energy Regulatory Agencies at the expense of private investment are planned.
The implementation of measures on the roadmap is previewed for 2022-2023.
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According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, opportunities for Georgia and Armenia to take steps not only in the direction of the international transport corridor Black Sea-Persian Gulf, but also on other initiatives that provide hubbub are provided by cooperation in a number of structures. It was said in his speech on the occasion of the opening of the Friendship Bridge today.
Pashinyan noted that regional cooperation will be fostered by more active work, implementation of the reached agreements and the involvement of the interested parties and other interested parties.
The need to make additional efforts to facilitate cargo transportation with Georgia was pointed to by the Armenian Prime Minister.
He also emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in the sphere of railway transport and ferry transportation.
According to Pashinyan, a serious transit role for Armenia is played by Georgia.
97% increase is shown by trade and economic relations with Georgia
In spite of current difficult conditions between Georgia and Armenia from the viewpoint of trade and economic relations, 97% increase has been attained. It was mentioned in Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s speech on the occasion of the opening of the Friendship Bridge today.
According to him, strong basis for future cooperation is created by modern infrastructure.
He said that today the development and deepening of relations with brotherly Georgia has all the prerequisites.
Pashinyan noted that this encourages further intensification of Armenia- Georgian relations. The spheres of industry, agriculture, pharmaceutics, communications and communication and transport have serious potential for the development. The counties already have a serious experience of cooperation in the sphere of energy. Such areas as cybersecurity, culture, tourism (for example, through the development of unified tour packages) are also important to develop relations in.
Communications, which allow for integration into the world economy, play the key role for the development of trade and economic relations.
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