Kazakhstan will keep volumes of steel supply to Chinese market this year

/Kazakhstan today, May 12, 02/ - Astana and Peking reached preliminary agreement on that steel import to China in 2002 will continue at approximately same level as in previous year - at the level of 1 million 200 thousand tons annually. Increase of volumes is a subject of negotiations between corresponding companies, said at the briefing in Peking State secretary - minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan Kasymzhomart Tokaev. He noted that during his official visit to China issues of export of Kazakhstan steel were discussed from all sides. In conjunction with Kazakhstan delegation there were representatives of Ispat-Karmet OJSC, main supplier of steel, led by General director Naval Chaudhari. At that the head of the Ministry of foreign affairs noted that China has joined World trade organization and therefore it should behave in trade and economic sphere in accordance with new requirements that is set by WTO. "Therefore, it's natural that leading role of state central bodies with respect to trade and economic activity of concrete companies should be weakened in compliance with WTO requirements, and companies of both countries should establish interaction directly," said Tokaev. Kazakhstan companies - steel producing, or producing other goods "should show explicitly competitiveness of their own goods at Chinese market. Only in this case in new conditions when more and more number join WTO there can be possible to trade," thinks State secretary of the RK. [2002-05-12]