Olzhas Bektenov discusses investment cooperation with ADB head and representatives of CAREC countries
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On behalf of the Head of State, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov took part in the 23rd Ministerial Conference of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Programme (CAREC), held in Astana under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan. The goal is to expand interaction among the Programme's member countries and international financial institutions in shaping the integrated and sustainable development of the Central Asian region, primeminister.kz reports.
The CAREC Program is an initiative of the Asian Development Bank and is implemented in partnership with leading international financial institutions. The conference was attended by Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa, CAREC Institute Director Kabir Jurazoda, European Commission Director for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Péteris Ustubes, representatives of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and other financial institutions, as well as government delegations from South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Interaction of the states in the field of economic and financial stability, infrastructure development, trade, energy, water resources, decarbonisation, etc. was discussed.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov noted the relevance of the Programme for the Central Asian region. For more than 20 years, about $51 billion has been invested in the region, of which over $9 billion has been directed to projects in Kazakhstan.
We will continue to work closely with international financial institutions and CAREC member countries to achieve common objectives. We aim to develop the agro-industrial complex with a focus on deep processing and increasing the share of processed products, actively changing the structure of exports and increasing their volumes. We are also interested in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects to ensure transport connectivity and energy sustainability of the Central Asian states. I urge the countries of the region and international financial organisations to join efforts to implement joint projects," Olzhas Bektenov stressed.
In turn, President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa noted that CAREC sees taking decisive action to combat climate change, building a sustainable infrastructure with early warning systems, as well as the development of digital transformation and innovation among the priorities.
The conference focused on initiatives aimed at developing human capital and improving the quality of life of the population.
At the end, an agreement on the CAREC Climate and Sustainable Development Project Preparation Facility was signed.
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Tokayev highlights CA’s future as a transit hub, urges EU to promote cooperation in AI
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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes that with the necessary infrastructure and coordinated efforts of the countries in the region, Central Asia can become a prosperous transit hub, ensuring efficient supply chains between East and West, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Akorda press service.
In his remarks at the first Central Asia - European Union Summit "Investing in the Future" in Samarkand, the Head of State emphasized that last year alone, the volume of container transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) increased by 62%, amounting to 4.5 million tons. Plans are in place to ramp up the cargo flow to 10 million tons by 2027.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also expressed support to the EU's Global Gateway Strategy, which promotes the expansion of sustainable transport links in the region.
President Tokayev pointed out that the country actively promotes decarbonization initiatives. In his words, Kazakhstan plays a pivotal role in producing clean energy, providing about 40% of the world's nuclear fuel supply. Last year, the country established a Regional Project Office on climate change and green energy.
In his speech, the Head of State paid utmost attention to digital technologies and the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Kazakhstan is actively investing in those areas. At the beginning of the year, our country created an International Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence under the President. Kazakhstan is implementing a program to train 100,000 IT specialists. A high-tech center, Alem.AI, is being established in Astana to promote innovation, create startups, and conduct research in this field. We have also launched a Venture Fund for accelerated AI development. Through the Team Europe initiative, the European Union supports the Central Asian countries in developing cooperation in digital technologies. Kazakhstan is stands ready to cooperate and exchange experience in that field. In this regard, I propose launching the "Central Asia-European Union" Innovation Campus at Astana Hub," said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
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Kazakhstan ready to boost exports to EU by over USD 2 bln, President Tokayev
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Addressing the first summit between the EU and the five countries of Central Asia in Samarkand, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev for hospitality and high level of organization of the summit, Kazinform News Agency reports referring to the Akorda press service.
He also expressed gratitude to European Council President António Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Presidents of Central Asian countries for their unwavering commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation.
The Kazakh President said that amid rapid geopolitical changes and global challenges, the expansion of interregional cooperation gains ground and strategic relevance.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented his vision of the prospective agenda of cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union.
He prioritized strengthening trade and economic ties and affirmed the country’s readiness to boost exports to the EU on 175 items worth over 2 billion US dollars.
The Head of State called on European companies to use the AIFC platform to fund such projects.
As written before, Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev landed in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, for the Central Asia-EU summit and the international conference Central Asia in the Face of Climate Change Challenges.
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Kazakh, Uzbek leaders hold meeting in Samarkand
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Thursdays, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that he attaches utmost importance to the upcoming Central Asia-EU summit, voicing confidence that the event will boost the region’s dialogue with the EU.
The Presidents of the two Central Asian countries commended their recent informal meeting in Almaty for reassessing the Kazakh-Uzbek relations and setting new directions of joint work.
The Heads of State highlighted the high dynamics of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, reiterating their readiness to expand bilateral relations.
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Kazakh President Tokayev, EC President Ursula von der Leyen hold talks in Samarkand
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Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Kazinform News Agency has learnt from the press service of Akorda.
The side meeting of the Central Asia-EU summit focused on Kazakhstan-EU cooperation prospects in economy, digitalization and innovation, hailing the start of procedures for visa facilitation agreements.
Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted that the European Union-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement remains the basis for multifaceted cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU.
The Head of State announced the four priority areas of Kazakhstan for deepening cooperation with Europe, including energy, major infrastructure and industrial projects, transport and logistics network expansion as well as digital innovations, advance technologies and AI.
In turn, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of transport and logistics projects, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, as well as commended the discovery of a large rare earth metals deposit in Kazakhstan.
The interlocutors agreed on continued work within C5+EU dialogue as well as discussed the ongoing issues of regional and international agenda.
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nataša Pirc Musar attend Kazakhstan-Slovenia Business Forum in Astana
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The Kazakh and Slovenian Presidents, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nataša Pirc Musar, attended on Tuesday the Kazakhstan-Slovenia Business Forum in Astana, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Addressing the event, the Kazakh leader stated that Kazakhstan and Slovenia have been building strong and equitable political and diplomatic ties for the past 30 years. The sides confirmed mutual commitment to deepening economic cooperation for the benefit of both nations following the talks held the day before.
Kazakhstan remains the largest and one of the fast-growing countries in the region. Last year, the country saw economic growth of 4.8%, 1.5fold up from the projected global growth. Kazakhstan’s GDP stood at 288 billion US dollars, as the country is taking steps towards supporting upward growth through large-scale political and economic reforms, said Tokayev.
President Tokayev highlighted that Kazakhstan seeks to become a leading trade and logistics hub of Eurasian thanks to its strategic location.
Kazakhstan can serve as a gateway to access markets of the Eurasian Economic Union, Central Asia and China with over 1.5 billion consumers. Freight traffic via the country hit a record of 514 billion ton-kilometers last year. Presently, Kazakhstan is responsible for 90% of land trade between Europe and China. Work is underway to develop major international transit routes such as the Middle Corridor and North-South. Kazakhstan’s ports Aktau and Kuryk have a crucial role in transit via the Caspian Sea, handling a record of 4.5 million tons last year, said the Kazakh leader, expressing the commitment to exchange experiences and deepen partnership with the Port of Koper.
The Head of State called industrial and energy cooperation as a promising area of cooperation with Slovenia. As the Kazakh President said, almost 70% of Kazakhstani oil is exported to the EU. The country holds 3 trillion cubic meters of proven reserves of natural gas as well as 34 billion tons of proven coal reserves, entering top 10 nations with the largest coal reserves in the world.
Kazakhstan produces 19 out of 34 rare earth elements, which are crucial to the EU economy, and actively works with the world’s top companies to unlock its potential using the pragmatic formula of ‘investment and technology in exchange for raw materials’. The number of major international companies willing to invest in Kazakhstan’s green economy is on the rise, including France’s Total, Italy’s Eni, the UAE’s Masdar and German-Swedish company Svevind Energy Group. Slovenia’s leading companies such as Iskra and Gorenje already entered the Kazakhstani market, stated Tokayev.
The Head of State noted that Kazakhstan attaches priority attention to the agriculture sector, considering it as a key tool in addressing challenges facing global food security. Presently, the country supplies its agricultural products to up to 70 countries of the world.
President Tokayev revealed plans to turn the domestic agro-industrial complex into a high-tech sector, calling on Slovenian partners to implement joint investment projects. According to the Kazakh leader, cooperation with Slovenia’s Krka and Lek companies is likely to boost Kazakhstan’s production and technological potential in pharmacy.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also urged Slovenia’s dynamic and innovative IT sector to work together in scientific research, startups and technology education.
Speaking about cooperation in financial services and investment areas, the Head of State called on business circles of Slovenia to look at the potential of the Astana International Financial Center and join its ecosystem.
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President of Slovenia Natasa Pirtz-Musar and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov discuss issues of trade and economic cooperation
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In the course of the meeting the issues of implementation of the agreements reached between the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the President of Slovenia Natasa Pirtz-Musar on strengthening trade, economic and investment interaction were discussed, primeminister.kz reports.
Attention was paid to the work of the Business Council, which should become an additional mechanism for deepening partnership and exchange of experience in mining, oil and gas and other spheres. All measures are taken in Kazakhstan to create the most comfortable business climate.
Cooperation in the transport and logistics sector was discussed, including within the framework of the Trans-Caspian international transport route development. The prospects of joint logistics and infrastructure projects along the Middle Corridor were considered.
In the energy sector, attention was focused on opportunities for joint investments in infrastructure, development of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Attention is also paid to water resources management.
In addition, the prospects for joint technological projects on the development of new generation digital services and the introduction of AI elements were discussed.
Following the meeting, it was noted that the issues of implementation of specific agreements and joint statements of the Presidents of the two countries will be under special control of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation.
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Presidents of Kazakhstan and Slovenia held talks in an expanded format
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nataša Pirc Musar conducted negotiations in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations from both countriesy, Akorda reports.
Welcoming the Slovenian delegation, President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to developing mutually beneficial cooperation with Slovenia - a time-tested and reliable partner in Europe.
Your visit is extremely important, as it gives additional impetus to enhancing our mutual cooperation. Just now, we had a very comprehensive discussion on many issues regarding the international situation. We expressed our joint commitment to achieving positive results in terms of mutual cooperation. For us, Slovenia is a time-tested and reliable partner in Europe. We will do our utmost to achieve practical results", - said the President Tokayev.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined promising areas of bilateral cooperation, expressing his commitment to creating favorable conditions for Slovenian businesses in Kazakhstan, including transparent regulation, investment protection, and economic diversification. He emphasized the great importance he attaches to the Kazakh-Slovenian Business Forum in Astana, which aims to further expand trade and investment ties between the two countries.
President of Slovenia expressed gratitude to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the warm reception in Astana.
This visit is intended to contribute to deepening economic cooperation. This goal is shared by both our countries. We have significant potential for growth, and I am confident that we can achieve more. The volume of trade between our countries is increasing every year. As you have already mentioned, we have reached an investment volume of 200 million dollars, but the opportunities are much broader. That is why I am very pleased to be in Astana accompanied by a representative business delegation", - said Nataša Pirc Musar.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to cooperation in promising areas such as trade, investment, transport and logistics, critical minerals, digitalization and artificial intelligence, healthcare, and tourism.
Following the talks, the presidents adopted a Joint Statement.
Members of the official delegations exchanged the following documents:
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia in the field of education and science;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Slovenia on cooperation in the field of tourism;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.
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