Abai region - China's XUAR cooperation discussed in Urumqi
A delegation of Abai region led by governor Nurlan Urankhayev has visited Urumqi, XUAR’s major industrial city. As part of the visit, the delegation discussed the prospects for a long-term cooperation between the regions and implementation of investment projects, Kazinform News Agency reports.
China is the major trade and economic partner of Abai region, the governor says.
In his words, in January-October 2023, 92% or 266 million US dollars of the region’s trade turnover was ensured by near-border trade with Chinese regions. Thus, the volume of exports reached 178 million US dollars, while the import of Chinese products amounted to 88 million US dollars, said Nurlan Urankhayev.
As the regional administration informed, the delegation met with the leadership of the Xinjiang Sanbao Industry Group Co., one of the largest retail centers of China offering services in export-import trade, sub-contracting abroad, production and processing, warehousing and logistics as well as tourism trade.
Governor Urankhayev also had a meeting with Ma Xinzhui, Secretary of the XUAR Party Committee, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee of the 20th convocation. The sides discussed promising development of trade-economic cooperation between the regions.
Special attention was given to the interregional cooperation where Kazakhstan already demonstrates successful interaction with Xinjiang in various sectors including industry, transport, logistics, agriculture, and tourism.
In turn, Ma Xinzhui emphasized strategic importance of close economic relations between Kazakhstan and China. He expressed XUAR’s readiness to boost tourism, launch Tǎchéng- Semey direct flight and soonest modernization of Bakhty checkpoint.
He also said XUAR is ready to deepen cooperation with Abai region in agriculture, geological exploration and extraction of minerals, energy and education. The neighbor region is interested in purchase of meat, grain, corn and sunflower oil. XUAR is also ready to discuss the opportunities of building wind-power plants in the region and exchange of students.