Our country is ready to create favorable conditions for French companies in Kazakhstan - Tokayev
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Emmanuel Macron made a joint statement at a press conference, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
During the press conference, held following the bilateral talks with Emmanuel Macron, Kazakh leader Tokayev expressed gratitude to his French counterpart for the invitation to pay a state visit and thanked the French side for the hospitality.
This visit is of paramount importance to us. France is a close and reliable partners of Kazakhstan in the EU. In 34 years, our relations have gained strategic importance. Astana and Paris enjoy the political dialogue based on mutual understanding at all levels. Our countries enjoy strong trade and economic, investment and cultural and humanitarian ties, legal framework as well as greater interaction within international organizations. I’m convinced that our partnership based on unshakable friendship and mutual support will be successful in the future, said Tokayev.
The Head of State of Kazakhstan said that the need to promote trade and economic cooperation was noted during the talks with the French President.
Last year, the trade turnover between the two countries stood at 4.2 billion US dollars. We already surpassed this figure in 9 months of this year. France is the sixth largest investor in the Kazakh economy. French giants such as Alstom, Total Energies, Air Liquide, Orano, Vicat, Danone, Lactalis have invested 19.5 billion US dollars in Kazakhstan. Cooperation is being strengthened in oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, construction, aviation, mechanical engineering and healthcare spheres, stated the Kazakh leader.
According to Tokayev, the sides paid special attention to the fields of green energy, rare earth materials, climate, water management, innovation and AI.
A representation office of the French Development Agency was opened in Astana recently. Our country is committed to provide full assistance to its work. We also highlighted the importance of developing international transport corridors, discussed issues of expanding ties in logistics infrastructure and processing industry. New projects were agreed in the agro-industrial complex, healthcare, finance and tourism. Our country is ready to create favorable conditions for French companies interested in operating in the Kazakhstani market. Today, a number of intergovernmental and commercial agreements are due to be signed. It fully meets the interests of our countries. These documents will be beneficial for both sides. In general, a number of investment agreements are expected to be concluded within the visit, said the Head of State.
The Kazakh leader said that Kazakhstan and France are bounded by strong cultural and humanitarian interaction, pointing to the importance of further enhancing cooperation in this area.
We attach special attention to the realization of joint projects in culture, education and science, arcology, archives, sport. Yesterday, the ‘Kazakhstan: Treasuries of the Great Steppe,’ with exhibits, that are historic and cultural and archeological heritage of the country, on display, opened at the world-famous Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts. We together with President Emmanuel Macron are to visit exhibition today. I express sincere gratitude to President Macron for supporting this initiative, said Tokayev.
Earlier it was reported that the Kazakh and French Presidents held talks in an extended format.
The President of Kazakhstan arrived in France for a state visit on November 4.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was officially welcomed by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
Read more about the prospects for developing relations between Astana and Paris in the analytical report by Kazinform News Agency correspondent.
