The first round of negotiations on establishing a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and the United Arab Emirates took place on March 6-8 in Dubai, QazMonitor reports.
Kazakhstan participated in the meeting on behalf of the EEU members.
Experts discussed the conditions for duty-free and barrier-free trade which include Trade in Goods, Dispute Settlement, Protective Measures, and Technical, Sanitary, and Phytosanitary regulations.
Zhanel Kushukova, the vice-minister of trade and integration, commented that Kazakhstan sees “significant potential for increasing mutual trade” and the first round of discussion covered “almost the entire text of the agreement”.
She added that the success of the negotiation depends on the willingness of the parties to make mutual concessions.
On December 9, President Tokayev told the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council that Kazakhstan will aim to create free trade zones with several countries, including UAE.
He said the initiative works in the interest of the five EEU members, which are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, and Russia.