Imports of Russian products to Kazakhstan to be discussed at special bilateral meeting

Imports of Russian products to Kazakhstan is to be discussed at a special bilateral meeting of representatives of the two nations, with the time of the meeting to be agreed on shortly, Russia’s RIA Novosti reported February 15, citing Andrei Slepnev, Minister of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Committee.

Last week Russia’s Kommersant Newspaper reported, citing a source in the country’s Agriculture Ministry, that Kazakhstan might ban or limit imports of a number of Russian products to Kazakhstan.
According to the source, some foodstuffs produced in Russia have become too cheap in the wake of the Russian rouble sharp devaluation and are posing a threat to Kazakhstan-made products.

Besides, the publication reported that Astana was allegedly insisting on introducing a ban on imports of cars and car batteries, petroleum products, some construction materials.

However, Kazakhstan’s Fiirst Vice PM Bakytzhan Sagintayev and Russia’s Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov refuted such speculations later.

Earlier Rakhim Oshakbayev, Vice Chairman of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs announced that the two sides were expected to discuss a possible ban on imports of cars and foul meat February 6.

However, according to Andrei Slepnev, Minister of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Committee, the issue hadn’t been on the agenda at the sitting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council February 6.

“Both sides are looking for ways to tackle issues arising amidst the current economic situation”, he said when asked if Kazakhstan had notified the Eurasian Economic Committee or the Russian side on its alleged intentions to restrict imports from Russia.