Kazakhstan is ready to boost its exports to Italy by $900 million across 110 product categories. Currently, Italy holds a leading position among Kazakhstan’s trade partners in the European Union. The mutual trade turnover increased by 55 percent last year, reaching $15 billion. Italy is also among the top five largest EU investors in Kazakhstan’s economy, with total investments exceeding $7 billion over the past 17 years, including a nearly 2.5-fold increase to about $300 million in the last year alone. This was announced by Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov during a meeting with Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Antonio Tajani, who is currently on an official visit to Astana. The parties discussed cooperation in machinery, energy, renewable energy sources, agro-industrial complex, education, and other sectors. Additionally, during discussions on expanding the partnership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was announced that the first Italian Cultural Institute in Central Asia will be established in Almaty, and the Schengen visa application process for Kazakh citizens will be simplified.
“With regard to visa-related issues for Kazakh citizens planning visits to Europe, efforts will be made to streamline the entry process for them. Our embassy is actively engaged in this work. There are currently two regular flights to Italy every week. We strive to improve the tourism sector even more,” said Tajani.
In the future, both parties are planning to focus on the development of joint industrial projects. There are more than 20 such projects worth nearly half a billion dollars planned across various sectors. To date, about 270 Italian companies are successfully operating in Kazakhstan.
