Information Webinar «Recent Events, New Developments» was held on February 10, 2022, to review the January events in Kazakhstan and discuss further cooperation with the Swiss business community. The Webinar was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Switzerland together with the Swiss «Joint Chamber of Commerce» (JCC), Delovoy Kazakhstan reports.
Mr. Marcel Pavlicek, JCC-President and CEO of «Burckhardt Compression», welcomed participants to the Webinar by noting the positive and dynamic business dialogue between the two countries.
Mr. Alibek Bakayev, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Switzerland, reviewing the January events, noted the importance of constructive dialogue and confirmed his readiness for active cooperation.
The Webinar began with a video address by Mr. Bakhyt Sultanov, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Co-Chairman of the Kazakh-Swiss Joint Intergovernmental Commission. He noted the importance of Switzerland as one of the most important international partners of Kazakhstan in Europe and in multilateral arenas.
Also, Mr. Sultanov reported an increase in the inflow of Swiss FDI in the Kazakhstan economy, drawing attention to some decline in bilateral trade. In conclusion, the Minister said that despite the difficult challenges, Kazakhstan remains committed to its international obligations. In this context, the implementation of joint investment projects and the expansion of trade with foreign partners remain among the government's priorities. He said that Kazakhstan is committed to all its commitments to protect foreign investment and further improve the business climate.
The Minister expressed his full readiness to continue the business dialogue and work on specific projects and initiatives. Mr. Sultanov also reminded that this year is scheduled the next meeting of the Kazakhstan-Switzerland Intergovernmental Commission, and its main task is the institutional promotion of bilateral trade and economic relations.
Mr. Ardak Zebeshev, Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, briefed the audience on the main investment indicators of Kazakhstan. Further, confirming the intentions of the Kazakh side to fulfill all of its obligations, he drew attention to their reciprocity: «That is, by creating optimal framework conditions for investors, we expect the timely implementation of investment projects with the involvement of advanced technologies and the creation of permanent work places».
Mr. Meyirzhan Yusupov, Chairman of the Board of JSC «NC «Kazakh Invest» spoke about the opportunities and prospects for investment projects in Kazakhstan. He paid special attention to measures to support foreign investors and the development of priority industries.
Mr. Timur Onzhanov, First Deputy General Director of AIFC Business Connect, speaking about the role of the AIFC as a regional financial hub, also presented the opportunities of this platform to support foreign investors and to help them start a business in Kazakhstan.
In conclusion, there was a question and answer session and an exchange of views on the further development of relations between «New Kazakhstan» and Switzerland.
It is important to note that the Webinar was organized due to the high interest of the Swiss business community in a direct dialogue and the need for objective information about Kazakhstan. About 314 Swiss companies and joint ventures operate in our country, and in terms of direct investment in the Kazakhstani economy, Switzerland ranks third after the Netherlands and the United States (over USD1.9 bln. for 9 months of 2021). The cumulative volume of Swiss FDI in the Kazakhstani economy since 2005 has exceeded USD 29 bln.
