The potential of the domestic market, components of the investment climate and measures of state support for foreign investors in New Kazakhstan - these and other areas of cooperation were discussed by representatives of Kazakhstan and the Netherlands at the meeting. Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko assured that Kazakhstan remains committed to all international obligations and is interested in attracting foreign investment. In turn, Dutch entrepreneurs said they are ready to invest in agriculture and the development of the green economy.
“Today we were just talking about specific projects that the Dutch companies are already implementing in Kazakhstan or want to implement. Currently, the foreign investment community is closely watching the steps taken by the Kazakh government to stabilize the situation, ensure stable growth and further improve the investment climate. Such a dialogue is therefore necessary and timely,” said Roman Vassilenko, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister.
Trade between the countries in 2021 amounted to US$4.6 billion, a third more than in the previous year. The Netherlands is Kazakhstan’s largest foreign investor. In total, since 2005, direct investment from that country to Kazakhstan has surpassed US$103 billion. About 700 companies with Dutch participation operate in the country.
“So I’m looking positive towards the future. That is a difficult question now because I’m not a sanctions expert. Some sanctions that are pointed towards Russia also influence countries like Kazakhstan. What I can do for my side is that in the context with decision-makers, policy makers of the Netherlands the point is that if you are building sanctions please keep in your minds that you should afford collateral damage to other countries which are not part in this conflict. We’re also, both countries, are also facing headwinds, as Mr.Vassilenko also pointed out, but I think there are a lot of things we as individuals can hardly influence, but we can work together in a positive atmosphere and try to develop the positive aspects with each other,” said Henk Nieboer, Kazakh Honorary Consul in Netherlands.
Kazakh Minister Vassilenko, with his Dutch counterpart Thijs van der Plas, discussed measures to further strengthen cooperation within the UN, OSCE and other international organizations. The parties agreed to continue to establish inter-parliamentary dialogue.
Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova
Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova
