TODAY.AZ / Politics

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan to connect East and West

23 January 2015 [17:34] - TODAY.AZ

/By AzerNews/

By Aynur Karimova

Given the increasing flow of Chinese products to different parts of the world, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan would form transport-logistics centers in their territories for transportation of goods from Europe to Far East.

The two countries can achieve the goal by investing in the development of appropriate infrastructure, Azerbaijani expert Rovshan Ibrahimov said at a round table on ‘Time for Global Test: New Challenges’ in Astana.

“Azerbaijan has a state program called ‘Vision into the future-2020’ with the emphasis on the development of infrastructure projects, as well as non-oil sector of economy. A similar program exists in Kazakhstan as well, which is called ‘Nurly Jol’. These state programs are our response to the crisis. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan can play the role of transport corridors between East and West by creating infrastructure,” he noted.

Touching upon the statement of Saudi Arabia about the possibility of oil price decline to $25 per barrel, Ibrahimov said such a statement is of a political nature.

“It is important for economies of our countries to recognize the challenges to adopt preventive measures,” the expert added.

Azerbaijanis and Kazakhs are both Turkic-speaking nations and share close historical, religious, and cultural ties. Both countries are among the littoral states of the Caspian Sea and possess a common maritime border.

About 130,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis live in Kazakhstan.

The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $371 million in 2013. Some 52 Kazakh companies operate in Azerbaijan, while 723 companies with the Azerbaijani investment are registered in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan invested $5.2 million in Azerbaijan in fixed assets in 2002-2013, while only in the last two years Azerbaijan invested $132.8 million of direct investment in Kazakh economy.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/138436.html

Print version

Views: 2136

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: