I welcoming remarks

3. Development of cooperation in the field of transport
and communication.
In July this year, the opening ceremony of the Malik
(Syrdarya) and Ok Oltin (Tselinniy) border checkpoint in the
Syrdarya region was carried out, pursuant to the Protocol on
Amendments and Additions to the Intergovernmental Agreement
on Border Crossing Points through the Uzbek-Kazakh state
border.
Currently, all necessary conditions are created to secure the
proper functioning of the Malik and Ok Oltin checkpoints.
The opening of the section of the M-39 highway from
Tashkent to Samarkand, running through the territory of
Kazakhstan (Maktaral district), made it possible to cut the way to
almost 50 km.
4. Cooperation between the regions of our countries was
intensified.
To date, visits to the regions of Uzbekistan delegations led
by akims of East Kazakhstan, South Kazakhstan, Zhambyl,
Kostanay, Kzylorda regions were conducted.
In May of this year a visit of business circles headed by
hokim of Jizzakh region to Zhambyl region was organized, in
June of this year - return visit of business circles led by akim of
Zhambyl region to Jizzakh region. As a result of mutual visits,

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agreements were reached on the opening of "trading houses", the
supply of agricultural machinery to Zhambyl region for more
than $ 2 million, agricultural products, etc. Currently, the visit of
business circles headed by the hokim of Khorezm region to
Mangystau region is underway.
I am confident that the results of these visits will contribute
to the further activation of ties between the regions of our
countries which is a significant factor in promoting mutually
beneficial cooperation.
5. I am very pleased to note the intensification of bilateral
relations in the cultural and humanitarian sphere.
On April 12-13 of this year the Minister of Culture and
Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan A. Mukhamediuly visited
the Republic of Uzbekistan, during which he signed the "Plan of
joint measures in the sphere of tourism for 2017-2019 between
the State Committee for Tourism Development of the Republic of
Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the
Republic of Kazakhstan".
The delegation of Kazakhstan took an active part in the
International Uzbek tourist exhibition "World of Rest" (April 13-
14, 2007 in Tashkent).
Currently, the parties are working on the organization of
combined tours along the routes "Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara-
Khiva" and "Shymkent-Turkestan-Astana" and in the opposite
direction which helps to attract tourists to our countries.
On June 23-28 of this year the delegation of the State
Committee for the Development of Tourism of Uzbekistan was in
Astana and took part in the events of the World Tourism
Organization, as well as in the events within the framework of the
International Specialized Exhibition Astana Expo-2017.
On March 21 of this year the launch of trains on the route
"Almaty-Tashkent-Almaty" with a frequency of traffic twice a
week was good news for residents of both countries. On the eve
of the opening of the exhibition "Astana Expo-2017" on June 6

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this year the train "Samarkand-Tashkent-Astana-Tashkent-
Samarkand" made its first route. It should be noted the increase in
frequency of flights from Tashkent to Astana and back from 4 to
6 flights a week since March of this year. 12 flights are made
from Tashkent to Almaty and back.
The measures taken by the parties contribute to an even
greater intensification of cooperation and a boost in the tourist
flow to our countries.
Dear colleagues,
This is in brief what I managed to tell you in the framework
of the time-limit of today's conference.
At the same time, I would like to note the huge untapped
economic potential for the development of cooperation between
our countries. For example, in such areas as construction, oil and
gas, textile industry and others. We have something to work on,
and there are all conditions for this.

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