Kazakhstan's cooperation with CNPC, CITIC Group discussed in Astana
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov had meetings with the delegations of the China National Petroleum Corporation and CITIC Group, which arrived in Astana within the state visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, Kazinform News Agency reports.
At the meeting with CNPC Chairman Dai Houliang, the sides discussed the issues of deepening investment cooperation in energy sector. Special attention was given to the joint project of increasing Shymkent Oil Refinery’s capacities. The sides discussed the current stage of the project and confirmed their intention to speed up paces of modernization to ensure timely commissioning of the project.
The parties also discussed the issues of supplying sufficient amount of raw materials and expansion Kenkiyak-Atyrau and Kenkiyak-Kumkol pipelines.
Olzhas Bektenov and Dai Houliang also outlined the prospects for further enhancement of cooperation in gas sector, through the example of successful commissioning of the 1st line of Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent gas pipeline.
The Kazakh Prime Minister emphasized the importance of gradual increase in the local content share through the close interaction with local producers of goods and services.
“Like many countries, Kazakhstan sets a strategic goal to ensure its energy security. First of all, this is creation and modernization of oil refineries. We attach utmost attention to increasing production capacity of the Shymkent Oil Refinery. Local content related issues are priority ones in implementation of joint projects. If the goods or equipment are not produced in the country, we propose to jointly work on their localization in the territory of Kazakhstan in the nearest time,” Olzhas Bektenov said having confirmed Kazakh Government’s readiness for an open and constructive dialogue in implementation of joint projects.
CNPC is among the world’s Top-3 major oil companies, which invested more than $45bln in Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector. More than 30,000 people are employed by the CNPC enterprises across the country. 98.3% of them are the nationals of Kazakhstan.
The meeting with the CITIC Group Chairman Xi Guohua discussed the issues of implementation of the Kazakh-Chinese joint projects and strengthening cooperation in energy and industry sectors.
The CITIC Group is currently engaged in major infrastructure projects on the reconstruction of highways in Kazakhstan. Namely, building and assembly works are underway on 24 road sections with the total length of 1,131 kilometers on the Taldykorgan-Ust-Kamenogork and Karaganda-Balkhash highways.
The sides also discussed the course of implementation of the project on increasing the capacities of LLP JV CASPI BITUM, with the consideration of ambitious goals on further modernization of road infrastructure. The implementation of the projects is expected to meet the demand in bitumen in the height of construction season.
The sides emphasized their readiness to develop cooperation in agriculture, clean energy, environmental protection and digital technologies spheres.
Founded in 1979, CITIC Group implements energy, chemical industry, finance, infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan.
