The Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia was launched on 1 January 2010, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov writes on his Facebook page.

The Customs Union provides enormous opportunities for Kazakhstan’s economy and is a step towards greater economic integration between the countries.

For Kazakhstan it means, first of all, nondiscriminatory access to the infrastructure of Belarus and Russia, reduced import from third countries, favorable conditions for business development, expansion of production and technological operations and implementation of joint projects, improved border cooperation, and an opportunity to develop a currency union.

Participation in the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space opens up huge prospects. Thus, in January-October 2011 Kazakhstan’s trade with the Customs Union member states soared 43.3% to $19.6 billion.

BelTA