The authorities of Kazakhstan have asked Uzbekistan to consider the possibility of reducing tariffs for transit transportation by rail to Afghanistan.
This was reported by the press service of the Government of Kazakhstan following the meeting of the working group of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at the level of deputy heads of government held in Astana.
“Particular attention was paid to discussing the possibility of reducing tariffs for the transit of Kazakh flour products through the territory of Uzbekistan. The volume of flour exports from Kazakhstan to Afghanistan through the territory of Uzbekistan at a historical maximum in 2017 reached 1.209 million tons. In subsequent years, this figure decreased significantly: in 2021 - 536 thousand tons, in 2022 - 816 thousand tons. For 6 months of the current year - only 275 thousand tons,” the report says.
Given the significant potential of Kazakhstan to export flour to Afghanistan, the Kazakh side turned to the Uzbek side with a request to consider the possibility of providing tariff preferences to the base tariff for transit transportation through Uzbekistan to Afghanistan by rail, the press service noted.
“The meeting participants agreed to create a joint expert working group to discuss favorable tariff conditions for rail transportation and develop specific proposals,” the press service explained.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 17, 2023