Belarus and Kazakhstan underuse their potential in economic cooperation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Belarus Ergali Bulegenov told in an interview to the Belarus-1 TV Channel.

The diplomat noted that the trade between the two countries is on a constant rise, but the increase is not so fast as the two countries would like it to be. In 2011 the trade reached $726 million, up 5% from 2010. “It is far away from the opportunities the two countries have today, and I think that this year will see a significant breakthrough in bilateral relations,” he stressed.

According to Ergali Bulegenov, Kazakhstan’s market draws a big interest from foreign investors today. The country’s main trading partners are Russia and China. Speaking about the prospects of cooperation with Belarus, he noted that Belarus may use Kazakhstan as an outpost on the Asian market. Thus, a highway which is to connect Western China with Western Europe will be ready in some two or three years. It will give an opportunity for Chinese goods to reach Europe 3.5 times faster. “At the border with China we have a center of border cooperation which provides great preferences. Terminals for goods shipment might be constructed there which can be a very promising activity for Belarus,” the Ambassador said.

In his words, taking into account its location, Kazakhstan might use more actively its way to Europe through Belarus. In addition, Kazakhstan is interested in privatization, construction and joint companies.

BelTA