Kazakhstan wants India's help in joining WTO

New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) Kazakhstan is seeking India's help for entering the WTO and is deeply interested in enhancing trade and other ties.

Kazakhstan Ambassador to India, Kairat E Umarov, said it would benefit both countries as they are growing economies and share a common interest of peace and development.

He also welcomed the warming of relations between India and Pakistan which could help in regional peace.

''India should help us in WTO. It is in the interests of both countries because we share India's views on subsidy. I don't see any problems if Kazakhstan enters the WTO with India's support,'' he told UNI.

The two countries could also cooperate in the SCO. ''SCO is one of the important ways to ensure that your voice is heard,'' he said.

He said bilateral trade had increased during the past three years having gone up to 74 per cent in 2006 from 20 per cent in 2004 and 25 per cent in 2005.

The Ambassador said Kazakhstan had given tender-free offer to the ONGC for exploration of oil in the country and it was for the ONGC now to respond.

Besides, the two countries were also working clsosely on various other issues like security and terrorism and had a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Anti-Terrorism.

He said both countries could play a (constructive) role in Central Asia and were working together on security-related issues.

Kazakhstan also expected an exchange of visits between the academics of the two countries.

There is also lot of potential for exchange in various sectors including tourism, IT, construction and textile industry and petrochemical sector. Kazakhstan business people were also exploring Indian markets, he added.

To achieve a healthy trade relationship, a stable environment had to be created and both countries would have to join efforts to bring in stability around the world and build trust.

The two countries last week held discussions on strengthening inter-Parliamentary ties. The Kazakh delegation also called on Defence Minister A K Antony.

UNI