Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov suggests expanding list of Kazakh-Chinese industrial projects
Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov held talks with Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Ding Xuexian, who is paying a working visit to Astana, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The sides discussed a wide range of issues of interaction in trade, investments, industry, energy, agriculture, transport and logistics, culture etc.
Alikhan Smailov noted high indicators in the Kazakh-Chinese bilateral commodity turnover, which increased by 35% and reached 24.2 billion US dollars last year.
Dynamic growth is observed this year too, he said.
In his words, in January-October of 2023, mutual trade volume rose by another 24%. He expressed confidence that both countries will soon achieve the goal set by the two countries’ leaders to raise bilateral commodity turnover to 40 billion US dollars.
He added that the non-visa regime introduced on November 10 opens a new chapter in the Kazakh-Chinese relations.
This measure will significantly impact promotion of business contacts, facilitation of trade, increase of mutual investments and development of tourism which is quite relevant in light of the upcoming Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China, said Smailov.
The Kazakh Prime Minister stressed the importance of expanding the list of mutual Kazakh-Chinese projects in industrialization and investments, signing the Road Map for Implementation of Trade-Economic Cooperation Programme until 2026 and updating the Agreement on Mutual Certification of Import and Export Goods.
Smailov also pointed out Kazakhstan’s interest in stepping up agricultural commodity turnover, raising exports to China and implementation of joint projects in agro-industrial sector.
He stressed the importance of transit and transport interaction.
According to him, about 85% of goods are transported from China to Europe through Kazakhstan.
In this regard, Kazakhstan takes active measures to improve its infrastructure to fully cover the growing demand.
Special attention was given to the facilitation of customs procedures. To date, both countries’ customs services agreed to boost capacity of Nur Zholy vehicle checkpoint by introducing 24/7 operation mode and prolonging other checkpoints’ operating time to 12 hours per day.
Border crossing time has been reduced due to digitalization and automation of processes. It is important to continue working in this area, said he.
Smailov also emphasized the importance of increasing the number of flights between the two countries and implementation of large energy projects, namely expanding the capacity of Kazakhstan-China oil pipeline, modernization of Shymkent Oil Refinery etc.
The government of Kazakhstan is ready to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with China in all areas, stressed the Kazakh Prime Minister.
In turn, Ding Xuexian said that this year became quite productive for Kazakhstan and China and expressed China’s readiness to boost cooperation in all mutually beneficial areas.
He said China and Kazakhstan are close neighbors, real friends and partners. According to him, both countries are at a key stage of their development and revival.
Amid unprecedented changes, Kazakhstan and China face more complicated challenges. For this reason, we need to enhance mutual support in all key issues. Chinese side will continue firmly supporting Kazakhstan and all efforts aimed at prosperity and development, he said.
