November 9, 2006

Astana and Cairo reach accord to tackle Kazakhstan grain exports to Egypt

Kazakhstan and Egypt reached an accord on key aspects to expand bilateral cooperation and trade, noted Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbaev at a joint press conference with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Astana.

Egypt proposed to review the structure of trade cooperation and transportation to form a special committee to ensure Kazakhstani grain exports to Egypt, he elaborated.

Kazakhstan might offer products of metal-making, chemical and oil industries and would also favour using Egyptian ports having access to both seas, Nazarbaev said.

He also highlighted pharmaceutical and textile industry as beneficial sectors for development of mutual cooperation and said the country, in its turn, was open to Egyptian goods and investments.

Mubarak also felt the economic and trade cooperation between the countries had room for improvement, especially grain exports.