Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
and Emmanuel Macron have recently taken part in the Kazakhstan-France Business Forum.
The Kazakh leader noted the growth of direct investment from France to
Kazakhstan’s economy by 50 percent in the first half of the year, which proves foreign
investors’ confidence in the country and its attractiveness. Nevertheless, the states
intend to expand further cooperation in new promising areas, such as the energy
sector, increasing uranium exports, mining and processing of critical raw
materials.
“Kazakhstan with some 5,000 unexplored deposits
valued at over $46 trillion can be a reliable partner to jointly develop that
niche. Today, we already produce 16 out of 30 rare earth materials
critical for the European Union economy covering 70 percent of the European phosphorus
market. We possess deposits for nine more kinds that can be exploited with the
necessary investment. We invite French companies to join this win-win
partnership,” noted the Kazakh President.
According to President Tokayev, priority areas
of cooperation may include the Astana International Financial Center, the
agricultural sector, and certainly the transport and logistics industry. The
Head of State noted that Kazakhstan is making additional efforts to develop the
Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. The country and its partners are
now working on the modernization of the Middle Corridor, which will allow to
reach a volume of 10 million tonnes of cargo per year. France is also interested
in partnership in that direction, as was emphasized by Emmanuel Macron.
“Kazakhstan serves as a connecting bridge
between Europe and Asia. It is important to expand partnerships through
transport routes, primarily through the Middle Corridor. I would like to note
that France is ready to contribute to its development,” said the French
President.
As part of the forum, the Kazakh President met
with business leaders from France. In the conversation with CEO of
Lactalis Group, the Head of State noted that Kazakhstan encourages investment
in the deep processing of agricultural products. The company has been on the
domestic market for 20 years and intends to increase the number of plants and
dairy farms. During the meeting with President for Boehringer Ingelheim in
France Christiane Wijsen, President Tokayev noted the importance of the
agreement between QazBioPharm and the French company, which will enable the
production of FMD vaccines in Kazakhstan. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also received CEO
of Semmaris Stephane Layani and informed him about the implementation of a
joint project to create an agro-hub in the Almaty region, which will be opened
in 2025.
