Prime Minister of Kazakhstan explains queues on border with Kyrgyzstan

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev commented on the situation at the sections of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh and Russian-Kazakh border at the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in expanded format.

According to him, the work on the border that is being conducted today «is not directed specifically in any way against the Kyrgyz side.»

Kazakhstan does not pursue anything except for the goal to reduce losses in taxes and the level of smuggling. This also applies to our other friends in the union.

Bakytzhan Sagintayev

«We are working on a road map between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (consisting of 48 points — Note of 24.kg news agency). We have a full understanding on 43 points. And in the future, our services will work on their implementation,» Bakytzhan Sagintayev said.

He presented a brief overview of the situation regarding the supply of goods from China to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. «According to the Eurasian Economic Commission, the import of EEU countries in 2016 amounted to $ 201 billion. At the same time, the largest share falls to China — 22.7 percent. The situation is similar for 7 months of 2017,» the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan noted.

Analysis of the dynamics of imports from China to EEU for 2014-2016 showed: there is a decline in imports in all countries except for the Kyrgyz Republic, with the largest — twofold- decrease in Kazakhstan.

Bakytzhan Sagintayev

«Analysis of the dynamics of customs duty for 2014-2016 also showed a decrease in revenues in all countries of the Union, except for Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan loses the most — 18.9 percent,» he added.

The head of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kazakhstan also stressed the inadequate import of consumer goods (clothing and footwear) per capita. For example 65 times more clothes are imported to Kyrgyzstan than to Kazakhstan or 43 times more than to Russia.

He recalled that Kazakhstan in 2016 repeatedly raised the issue of insufficient customs administration.

A joint action plan was signed on June 5, 2017 between the services of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Kazakhstan in order to prevent the unreliable declaration of goods during the entry from China. However, there was no due effect because of the failure of the Kyrgyz side to implement the planned measures.

Bakytzhan Sagintayev

The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sapar Isakov noted that the Kyrgyz side would make a separate statement. «We also have something to say. Kilometer-long queue really arouses indignation of citizens of not only Kyrgyzstan, but also Kazakhstan and the third countries,» he said.