Economic Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia

Ñòðàíèöà: 29/33

In choosing a promising export and import specializa­tion, Kazakhstan and Russia should give preference to com­modities that are least susceptible to market fluctuations. To achieve this, it is necessary to conduct regular analysis and forecasting of the situation on the markets for the principal import and export commodities, favoring long-term agreements on their purchase/selling over one-off deals.

In the medium-term perspective, transition should be effected from restrictive policies to encouragement, consistently facilitating the formation of a progressive, structure of exports and creating a corresponding system of its state sup­port.

Analysis of export/import operations of foreign trade com­panies and enterprises shows that, in the absence of combined controls over exports and currency and of an obligatory norm of currency sales, 1 all export earnings reach the republic. According to Kazakhstan specialists calculations, some $0.6-0.8 billion end up on the accounts of Kazakhstan enterprises in the countries of near and far abroad. According to Russian experts, corresponding figures for Russia range from $5 to $17 billion. In this connection, one of the main tasks of manage­ment of foreign trade activities of the two states is the setting up of systems of customs control over export and import con­tracts and banking control over currency earnings, investments, and other commodities.

In future, it is advisable to step up coordination of in­formation systems of control over repatriation of currency earn­ings by the customs bodies and the banking system, which will permit a concentration of efforts on securing maximum cur­rency earnings from exports.

It is advisable to restrict the decisive role of the state in foreign economic activity to internationally recognized stan­dards, to be implemented in accordance with the rules and norms of the World Trade Organization.

It is also advisable, in a situation of considerable reduc­tion of the share of state property, to export and import com­modities in state interests only within the framework of inter­governmental agreements, which must not include any privi­leges or tax or duty exemptions. For this purpose, the possibil­ity is created for domestic purchases on a competitive basis.

The state policy of selective protection in relation to promising exporting industries and conquering foreign mar­kets gradually becomes one of the main priorities of economic policy as a whole; it is called, upon to prepare the implementation of a really proactive export policy, without which it is impossible to ensure either the payment of foreign debts, or internal financial stabilization, or investment ac­tivity and employment.

Another important task is the achievement of favorable trading procedures-in relations with foreign countries and their trade and economic groups, organizations, and unions, as well as the lifting of existing discriminatory restrictions, and pre­vention of new ones, with regard to the member states of the customs union.

To solve this task, plans are made to work consistently and purposefully toward the entry of Kazakhstan and Russia in the World Trade Organization, to harmonize our countries' legisla­tive systems with international norms and principles, and to implement the agreement on partnership and cooperation with the European Union and agreements with other countries.

Formation of new economic relations with states of the near abroad will require a longer that previously believed pe­riod of time and a gradual and coordinated advance toward generally accepted international norms of organization.

The future economic policy of Kazakhstan in relation to Russia and the countries of the near abroad must have the following goals development and rationalization of cooperative economic links in terms of minimizing expenditure and increasing competitiveness;

— The utilization of transit communications serving the export/import commodity flows from Customs Union mem­bers to third countries;

— Cooperation and coordination of CIS countries' ef­forts in the restructuring of production and in optimizing the distribution of production forces. An active economic policy in relation to countries of the near abroad is seen as one of the levers for the rehabilitation of the economy and creating conditions for its upward swing.

Particularly important in the economic relations of Kazakhstan and Russia is the creation of conditions for estab­lishing horizontal links between agents operating on the mar­ket, the use of new forms of economic cooperation, such as joint ventures, transnational production, commercial, and fi­nancial structures, and of financial-industrial groups.

Ðåôåðàò îïóáëèêîâàí: 18/07/2008