Kazakhstan will enter World Trade Organization (WTO) on favorable terms, Karim Massimov, Prime Minister said at the Government sitting today.

“Nursultan Nazarbaev, Kazakh President set a task on WTO joining on the terms favorable for Kazakhstan. There is also no certain date for entering the Organization. We will access WTO when we need it,” Kazakh Prime Minister stressed.

“Kazakhstan gained level of import customs duties which will allow to protect domestic producers,” Zhanar Aitzhanova, Vice Industry and Trade Minister said. “Although it is supposed that reduction or customs duties abolition after WTO accession will lead to increase of goods import that in its turn will drive out domestic goods from Kazakh market,” she added.

“Therefore, average rate of current import duty for agricultural products is equal to 13.5%. After WTO joining it will be decreased only by 0.3%,” Aitzhanova explained.

“As for industrial goods, Kazakhstan gained an opportunity to apply higher average rate or approximately 6.5% when current rate is equal to 4.6%, which will allow to realize plans on diversification of industry after WTO joining,” she said.

“If we maintain volume of obligations on services, finances and agricultural products our producers will not encounter with any negative consequences of WTO accession,” Aitzhanova added.

According to the Ministry, Kazakhstan has already completed bilateral talks with 21 countries.