Eurasian Integration Yearbook 2012

Natalia Maqsimchook. “Chronicle of EurasianRegional Integration 2011”2011: Data and Reviewstariff and a shared list of goods subject to the same non-tariff rates. The CUmember states turned their attention to harmonising trade regimes with CIScountries and special protective and antidumping measures in the CU. Aprotocol on exemptions came into force along with the Customs Code. Theprotocol retains customs clearance procedures for “transition period” goods andcommodities that are not subject to unified terms of trade, and protective andantidumping measures. In particular, Kazakhstan has negotiated a preferentialtariff for cars imported by private individuals, valid till July 1, 2010. Special termsfor other imported items remain valid for longer. For instance, Kazakhstan’ssugar refineries have been granted the right to import raw cane sugar duty-freefor 10 years, and Belarusian and Kazakh airlines are exempt from import dutieson aircraft till July 1, 2014. The duty-free import of aircraft spare parts has notime limit. In addition, Kazakhstan has negotiated a preferential tariff for importsof medicines, medical equipment, railcars, greenhouses, and raw materials forthe light industry, chemical, and woodworking industries until 2014.According to Zhanar Aitzhanova, Minister of Economic Integration ofKazakhstan, since the introduction of the CU in 2010 Kazakhstan’s foreigntrade has increased by 26% due to price increases for Kazakhstan’s exported oiland metals. The structure of exports and imports has not changed in qualitativeterms. The CU member states, the EU and China remain Kazakhstan’s majortrading partners.Russian direct investment in Kazakhstan’s economy has increased by 0.5%since the introduction of the CU and 400 Russian enterprises are now registeredin Kazakhstan, Aitzhanova said.Customs Union abolishes border controlJuly 1, 2011Expert KazakhstanFrom July 1, the CU begins to operate fully with customs controls being entirelytransferred to the external borders of the Union. Russian customs officers willhave observer status on the Belarusian-Russian and Kazakh-Russian borders.Border guards will remain at the Kazakh border while migration and other typesof legislation are harmonised.Control over certain types of goods imported from Kazakhstan will be retainedon a temporary basis: from July 1 Kazakhstan introduces import duties on themajority of goods in line with the common customs tariff, with exemptions on88 items (mostly medicines and medical equipment).In future the CU member states will enter into shared trade regimes withother countries. The CU has begun negotiating free trade agreements with theEuropean Free Trade Association (EFTA) and New Zealand, and has establishedEurasian Development Bank239