Kazakhstan and Switzerland discuss new opportunities of cooperation

Kazakhstan and Switzerland discuss new opportunities of cooperation

Kazakhstan and Switzerland are strengthening cooperation. This European country is Kazakhstan’s one of the most important political and economic partners. At the end of 2020 alone, Switzerland came in third in terms of foreign direct investment attracted to Kazakhstan and tenth in terms of bilateral trade. The parties intend to further build up partnership and strengthen ties.

“This year we look forward to the official visit of our president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Swiss Confederation. Needless to say, negotiations will take place between the two Heads of State. My colleague and I also discussed the prospects of economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation and our positions on current international issues. This is primarily related to Afghanistan. We also discussed ways of working together within the framework of various international structures and organizations,” said Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“The quality of our relations is very good: on the trade, on the political level, we have since many years now very good relations. We are happy that this year Kazakhstan has the anniversary of 30-year Independence and I congratulate your country for this very important anniversary. Switzerland is the third biggest investor in your country, in Kazakhstan, and if the framework conditions are stable, we will be able to invest even more. And together, we are working together in the Bretton Woods institution, in the World Bank and in the International Monetary Fund. And we are working very well together. So I’m convinced that the base exists for our good present and the better future cooperation,” added Ignazio Cassis, Swiss Vice President and Foreign Minister.

Several agreements have been signed as a result of the negotiations. Most of them are aimed at cooperation in various sectors of the economy.

“I think the new measures will drive stability going forward as well competitiveness of the economy and as well will ensure further sustainable growth going forward. Of course, if the economy grows, this gives an opportunity as well to invest more funds into healthcare. Purpose of Sandoz is to drive access to modern, affordable and high quality medicines. So I think this is the point where we both come together and confer the work on improving of the health and well-being of Kazakh people. I know that Kazakhstan vaccine has been developed in Kazakhstan, has been manufactured as well in Kazakhstan and that people actually are vaccinated by Kazakh vaccine. This is what I know and I think it’s very important,” noted Andrej Pardo, vice president of a pharmaceutical company.

 

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova