Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with the Special Representative of the President of the United States for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor and the First Deputy Secretary of State of the United States Christopher Landau, DKNews.kz reports.
Olzhas Bektenov noted that the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches special importance to the development of cooperation with the United States of America and emphasized that this meeting would also become an important step toward further unlocking the trade and economic potential of bilateral relations.
The Government of Kazakhstan is implementing systemic measures aimed at creating favorable conditions for foreign, including American, businesses.
According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, the gross inflow of direct investments from the United States since 1993 has amounted to about $61.2 billion, accounting for over 13% of total FDI in Kazakhstan. Over the past five years, the volume of mutual trade has doubled, reaching $4.2 billion.
During the meeting, the participants discussed issues of expanding trade ties and investment cooperation. Measures to deepen interaction in the industrial, digital, energy, agricultural, transport and logistics, and water sectors, among others, were reviewed.
Reports on the prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation were presented by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov, and Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev.
New points of convergence were noted in the transit and transport sphere.
In the energy sector, the importance of modernization and the introduction of advanced technologies within the framework of joint projects was emphasized.
Partnership in the agro-industrial complex (AIC) is a relevant area. Kazakhstan ranks among the top ten global exporters of grain and flour. Joint projects for the deep processing of grain with subsequent export to the markets of the United States, the EU, China, and India were discussed.
The priority of deepening cooperation in the field of the digital industry and AI technologies was highlighted. The International Center for Artificial Intelligence Alem.AI, which unites leading global technology companies, including Apple, Google, and others, is becoming a key platform in the region. Another important element of Kazakhstan’s digital ecosystem is Astana Hub, which currently hosts more than 1,700 companies. In the state of California (USA), Kazakhstan has opened the Silk Road Innovation Center. In partnership with leading American companies and universities, acceleration programs are being implemented to strengthen technological cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United States.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants confirmed their readiness to expand trade and economic cooperation in all promising areas.
