Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev participated in a working meeting of members of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which was held in the videoconference format, Akorda says.

The agenda of the meeting included issues of preventing the spread of coronavirus infection and ensuring economic stability in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
Along with President Tokayev, the online summit was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Mikhail Myasnikovich.
In his speech, the Head of State pointed to the difficult situation in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has practically paralyzed the social and economic life of many countries. He drew attention to the sharp decline in economic activity all over the world, and the record fall in commodity prices with significant negative consequences for exporting countries.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the agreement reached within the OPEC+ on coordinated production cuts and restoring balance in the energy market.
“We commend the efforts of the Russian Federation in achieving success under this agreement. Kazakhstan participated in the negotiations as an observer and made its contribution by agreeing to a significant reduction in production,” the President of Kazakhstan noted.
Speaking about the further development of the world economy, President Tokayev cited the disappointing forecasts of experts: “World GDP in 2020 may fall by more than 2%. At the same time, the GDP of the US and the Eurozone will decrease by 3,3% and 4,2%, respectively. China's economic growth is projected to be less than 2%, meaning a fall of about 4%."
In addition, in his speech Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shared information on the measures taken in Kazakhstan to tackle the pandemic, the implementation of anti-crisis measures aimed at maintaining the economy and fulfilling social obligations to the population.
The President noted that thanks to the measures taken, the state managed to prevent the uncontrolled spread of the virus, maintain stability in society and business activity.
The Head of State also touched upon the implementation of joint anti-crisis measures to combat the negative impact of the pandemic on the economies of the Eurasian Economic Union member states.
“There is a ban on the export of certain types of food products and medical products, zero duties on the import of socially important goods, personal protective equipment and disinfectants, diagnostic reagents, certain types of medical equipment and materials. The Intergovernmental Council at the level of heads of government have adopted specific recommendations in the form of ”a list of joint measures of governments and national banks,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
Besides, given the lessons of the current crisis, the President of Kazakhstan drew the attention of his colleagues within the EEU to the need to implement a number of medium and long-term measures. In particular, he made a number of proposals aimed at further strengthening trade, economic, financial and digital interaction, as well as establishing cooperation in the field of healthcare and medical science.
First, noting the significant opportunities in the production of agricultural and food products, the Head of State proposed to think over mechanisms to strengthen cooperation to increase food self-sufficiency, maximize the production of their own finished products, access to foreign markets and exchange experience in agricultural science.
Secondly, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated the need to strengthen regional production and technological cooperation. In his opinion, the current crisis will significantly change the global landscape of value chains, while nationalization and regionalization would largely determine the structure of global production, trade and logistics.
“Taking into account these changes, we can start creating regional value chains based on the competitive advantages of our economies. The governments of our countries could work out and specify this area of joint work,” the Head of State believes.
In his speech, President Tokayev also highlighted the importance of stability of trade processes within the EEU.
“Given the unconditional barrier-free movement of goods produced within the Union, approaches to mutual trade should be reviewed. We have repeatedly discussed the issues of removing barriers in our domestic market. Unfortunately, against the background of the current crisis, there are new barriers. It is important not to allow it to become permanent, to get a foothold in regulatory and law enforcement practice,” the President is convinced.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also called for supporting business activity in the EEU, including provision of financial support to businesses affected by the pandemic.
“Eurasian Development Bank should become an effective tool for financing joint projects in the post-crisis period. The governments of our countries could develop agreed substantive proposals in this area,” President Tokayev said.
Special attention was paid to cooperation in the field of health and medical science. The President suggested strengthening cooperation in the exchange of information, developing innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, as well as strengthening scientific cooperation between the EEU states.
Furthermore, the Head of State pointed to the need to ensure the quality and reliability of digital infrastructure, which amid the pandemic has clearly demonstrated its importance for public development. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes that the introduction of advanced technologies would largely determine the effectiveness of all areas of integration work: from digitalization of customs services to joint development of Fintech.
Concluding his speech, the President of Kazakhstan expressed hope that the EEU countries and the Union itself will survive and overcome this unprecedented crisis, take into account its lessons, analyzing the practice developed during this period and stand ready for new challenges.
UNDP is guided by the national development priorities
World • 17 November, 2020
The grand opening of the bust of Abai Kunanbaiuly took place in Bucharest
Lifestyle • 10 September, 2020
Kazakhstan to adopt program for development of pharmaceutical industry
Kazakhstan • 20 August, 2020
President Tokayev pays working visit to Turkistan region
President • 20 August, 2020
Head of state holds a meeting on anti-corruption issues
President • 20 August, 2020
Distance learning to continue in Kazakhstan from September 1
Education • 19 August, 2020
Ministry of Agriculture on 430 million tenge for subsidizing
Kazakhstan • 19 August, 2020
Kazakhstan exports 30 thousand tons of fish products to 36 countries
Economy • 19 August, 2020
PM Askar Mamin instructs to create programs for developing fisheries in all regions
Kazakhstan • 18 August, 2020
Government considers implementation of measures to support employment
Government • 18 August, 2020
President Tokayev meets with Minister of information and public development
President • 18 August, 2020
Nursultan Nazarbayev receives first Deputy Chairman of the Nur Otan party Bauyrzhan Baibek
Politics • 18 August, 2020
Quarantine measures be lifted gradually in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan • 17 August, 2020
Kazakhstan and UN sign framework program on cooperation for 2021-2025
Kazakhstan • 17 August, 2020
The Head of State receives Minister of Trade and Integration Bakhyt Sultanov
President • 17 August, 2020
The chair of JSC Zerde National Infocommunication Holding appointed
Appointment • 17 August, 2020
The President receives Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development
President • 17 August, 2020
About 1.4 billion tons of cargo transported by road in six months in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan • 10 August, 2020
Enbek and Employment Roadmap programs considered
Government • 10 August, 2020
Kazakh President sends a telegram of congratulations to Alexander Lukashenko
President • 10 August, 2020
PM Askar Mamin informed about SK-Pharmacy’s measures to provide drugs to combat COVID-19
Government • 06 August, 2020
Issues of Kazakhstan's access to complex of candidate vaccines for COVID-19 considered
Coronavirus • 06 August, 2020
President Tokayev had a telephone conversation with President of Lebanon
President • 06 August, 2020
2.6 million students to study in distance
Education • 06 August, 2020
The Head of State receives Minister of Education and science
President • 06 August, 2020
Positive trend observed in fight against COVID-19 in Kazakhstan
Coronavirus • 05 August, 2020
Kazakh President instructs MFA to ensure citizen's safety in Lebanon
President • 05 August, 2020
Dozens killed, thousands wounded in Beirut
World • 05 August, 2020
E-commerce in Kazakhstan increased by one and half times
Economy • 28 July, 2020
Epidemiological situation in Kazakhstan stabilizing
Coronavirus • 28 July, 2020
29% decrease in CVI cases recorded since introduction of quarantine
Coronavirus • 28 July, 2020
Head of state speaks over phone with Uzbek President
President • 28 July, 2020
Over 2 thousand projects worth half a billion tenge approved under Economy of Simple Things
Economy • 23 July, 2020
Production of building materials in Kazakhstan increased 3.3 times
Kazakhstan • 23 July, 2020
Number of ambulance calls reduced by 23% in two weeks
Medicine • 22 July, 2020
Kazakhstan reaches stabilized level of epidemiological situation
Coronavirus • 22 July, 2020
Askar Mamin introduces First Vice Minister of Digital Development Bagdat Mussin
Appointment • 22 July, 2020
Investments - key to sustainable and high-quality economic growth
Economy • 22 July, 2020
Production in manufacturing industry grew by 4.8%
Kazakhstan • 20 July, 2020
National Bank to use all available instruments to keep inflation within range of 8-8.5% in 2020
Economy • 20 July, 2020
President holds a conference call on the fight against coronavirus
President • 20 July, 2020
About 281 thousand Kazakhstanis employed through the e-labor exchange in 2020
Society • 19 July, 2020
Over 22 million electronic services provided in Kazakhstan during pandemic
Technology • 15 July, 2020
Kazakhstan to introduce reference system of Export Guides
Kazakhstan • 15 July, 2020
Production in manufacturing industry grew by 4.8%
Kazakhstan • 15 July, 2020
National Bank to use all available instruments to keep inflation within range of 8-8.5% in 2020
Economy • 15 July, 2020
Ministry of Finance speaks about optimization of costs of state bodies
Government • 14 July, 2020
Joint plan of Government and National Bank to be adopted in Kazakhstan
Government • 14 July, 2020
Medicines supply to reach over 600 thousand packs per month
Medicine • 14 July, 2020
Government gives 42,500 tenge for loss of income
Society • 14 July, 2020
375 people died from coronavirus infection
Coronavirus • 13 July, 2020
Turkey sends humanitarian aid to Kazakhstan
Coronavirus • 13 July, 2020
Kazakhstan mourns Covid-19 victims today
Kazakhstan • 13 July, 2020
Operations Headquarters on COVID-19 keeps situation in regions under control
Coronavirus • 10 July, 2020
Government's anti-crisis measures: Restoring economic growth and supporting SMEs
Kazakhstan • 10 July, 2020
Aigul Shaimova appointed vice minister of national economy
Appointment • 10 July, 2020
28K people hospitalized with pneumonia in Kazakhstan
Coronavirus • 08 July, 2020
President Tokayev: Work on providing citizens with medicines continues
President • 08 July, 2020
1109 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Kazakhstan
Coronavirus • 08 July, 2020
How the main city of Kazakhstan developed
Kazakhstan • 08 July, 2020
Russian doctors arrive in Kazakhstan
Coronavirus • 07 July, 2020
Nursultan Nazarbayev marks his 80th birthday
Елбасы • 07 July, 2020
Experts on Islamic finance and fintech industry in post-pandemic era
Coronavirus • 07 July, 2020
State Commission approves measures to stabilize epidemiological situation
Coronavirus • 07 July, 2020
SMEs can apply for new loan deferral — Madina Abylkassymova
Business • 24 June, 2020
PM Askar Mamin instructs to ensure readiness for heating season
Kazakhstan • 24 June, 2020
Government adopts measures to improve business climate in Kazakhstan
Government • 24 June, 2020
4 more new medical masks production enterprises to launched in Kazakhstan
Coronavirus • 23 June, 2020
Askar Mamin instructs to take measures to develop engineering
Government • 23 June, 2020
Similar news