Council participants discussed priority areas of cooperation for the development of their national economies.
Alexei Overchuk takes part in the 94th meeting of the CIS Economic Council
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Overchuk took part in the 94th meeting of the Economic Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States held in Nur-Sultan (Republic of Kazakhstan) on 10 June.
Topics of discussion included trade and economic cooperation between the CIS member states, with a focus on the current economic situation and possible joint measures to respond to emerging challenges. The coordinated list of specific measures in priority areas such as mutual trade, transport, energy, industry, agribusiness, finance and others provides a basis for further steps to support the sustainable growth of the national economies.
The Economic Council members were updated on the main macroeconomic development targets of the CIS member states for 2021. In 2021, the states mainly stayed within recommended targets of macroeconomic stability. According to preliminary estimates, the aggregate gross domestic product of the CIS member states increased in real terms by 4.7 percent in 2021 (in 2020 it decreased by 2.5 percent).
The analysis of these indicators will be used to prepare and implement measures aimed at maintaining macroeconomic stability, strengthening foreign trade relations, and ensuring the sustainability of public finances and financial markets within the CIS.
The participants also listened to a report on the performance of the Council of Heads of Chambers of Commerce of the CIS member states in 2019-2021. The main goals of cooperation in this area are as follows: to improve regulations for determining the country of origin for goods; to identify and eliminate barriers to trading goods and conducting business; to hold exhibitions and fairs; and to resolve economic, social and cultural issues in the regions and border areas.
During the meeting, the activities of the Advisory Council of the Heads of Government (Executive) Bodies that were in charge of the state material reserves in the CIS member-countries in 2017-2021 were also reviewed. Its main task is to ensure cooperation of the bodies of state material reserves with a view to enhancing national security of the CIS member countries in response to the existing global natural, climate and socio-economic challenges.
The participants approved a plan of second-stage measures (2022-2025) for achieving the main tasks of CIS cooperation in the forestry and timber industry to 2025. They also endorsed practical measures related to informing the public about nuclear accidents or radiation leaks, as well as the amount and type of aid under the commitments provided by the relevant agreement.
The Council members decided to grant Kvarta Astana the status of centre for commercialising innovations under the Interstate Programme of Innovative Cooperation of the CIS Member-States to 2030.
The participants also reviewed the results of the Year of Architecture and Urban Planning in the CIS in 2021. They noted that the events held during the year helped familiarise a broad audience with modern opportunities for creating a comfortable urban environment, developing smart cities, using advanced technology in urban and utilities infrastructure and implementing innovative solutions in architecture.
They agreed to hold the 95th meeting of the CIS Economic Council in Moscow on 23 September 2022.
