For the first time, Kazakhstan ranks among Russia's Top-5 largest trade partners - President Tokayev
Russia is one of major trade partners of Kazakhstan ranking among the Top-3 investors of Kazakhstan economy. This is what President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a briefing for mass media in Astana, Kazinform News Agency reports.
As Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, for the first in the history of the two countries' relations, Kazakhstan entered Russia's Top-5 major trade partners, which indicates presence of a strong and high potential for cooperation.
"I am sure that if this positive trend continues, we will be able to break through the $30 billion mark in mutual trade in the next couple of years. The volume of direct Russian investment in Kazakhstan economy has hit 24 billion US dollars, of which more than 4.5 billion US dollars have been invested in the past two years alone. Kazakhstan's investments in Russian economy have reached an impressive amount of 8.5 billion US dollars. Approximately 24 thousand companies involving Russian capital operate in Kazakhstan - this is almost half of the total number of enterprises with foreign capital working in our country. All this confirms a high level of trust and mutual interest in further strengthening our strategic relations," said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The Head of State pointed out significant progress in industrial sphere, with 93 joint projects launched to the amount of more than 18 billion US dollars. Another 49 projects with a total volume of investments almost at 30 billion US dollars are under implementation now.
"Particular attention should be given to the large-scale gasification initiatives in several regions of Kazakhstan, ramping up transit of Russian energy resources to the south and east, and construction and modernization of major energy facilities in our country. Unlocking transit potential through the development of key transport corridors is a priority issue. We have also discussed the prospects for the implementation of projects, including the construction of a highway to Mongolia and active use of the Trans-Afghan Transport Corridor. I am confident that fullfledged implementation of all these initiatives towards North-South, fully meets the fundamental interests of the friendly peoples of our countries," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan emphasized that the Kazakhstan-Russia Forum of Interregional Cooperation holds a special place in the economic agenda. In this context, he also noted the importance of the upcoming opening of the Russian Consulate General in Aktau.
