Why Kazakhstan stays in Eurasian Economic Union: Government highlights benefits

Kazakhstan’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) has been positively impacting the modernization of its national economy, according to the country’s Ministry of Trade and Integration. The agency outlined the benefits Kazakhstan gains from its participation in the union.

Currently, the EEU member states include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Customs declarations have been abolished between all these countries, enabling the unimpeded movement of goods and reducing business time and costs. The Ministry of Trade and Integration noted that this interaction, in turn, provides Kazakhstan’s population with access to a wider range of higher-quality goods.

Within the EEU, state control over sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary supervision has been eliminated at checkpoints on Kazakhstan’s borders with Russia and Kyrgyzstan. A certificate of sanitary, veterinary or phytosanitary safety issued in one EEU member state is recognized by all member countries.

Notably, Kazakhstani entrepreneurs are exempt from fulfilling additional product safety requirements (except those outlined in technical regulations) and conducting additional conformity assessment procedures. Obtaining a certificate of conformity in any EEU member country is sufficient for the free trade of goods across the other four member states.

Moreover, within the EEU, Kazakhstani businesses have gained the opportunity to supply goods and services for public procurement to other member countries.

«Kazakhstan’s participation in the public procurement of EEU member states opens up a market of about $135 billion for domestic businesses,» the ministry said.

It emphasized that double taxation for domestic suppliers has been eliminated, and value-added tax is applied based on the destination country principle.

Furthermore, Kazakhstani citizens working in EEU member countries are entitled to social security and free medical care under the same conditions as local citizens. Educational documents are recognized across the EEU without additional procedures, except for those related to medical or pharmaceutical activities.

Kazakhstani citizens also have the right to establish, save and utilize pensions in EEU member states. Similarly, domestic entrepreneurs can obtain authorization in Kazakhstan for 135 types of services and operate freely in other EEU member countries.

«Overall, the EEU is a very large market without customs borders, boasting a population of 185.5 million people and a total GDP exceeding $2 trillion,» the ministry concluded. «Thus, it provides domestic producers with unhindered access to promote goods and services in the markets of EEU partner countries.»

Earlier media reports highlighted that a single gas market may be launched within the EEU in 2025.