BERN, October 24, 2019 – The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Swiss Confederation Alibek Bakayev presented his credentials to the Federal President Ueli Maurer.During the ceremonial meeting Sides noted the high level of development of friendly ties between the two countries and discussed the upcoming events agenda including the highest level visits as well as the next session of Kazakh-Swiss Intergovernmental committee for trade-economic cooperation to be held in Bern on October 28, 2019.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/34108?lang=kk

LONDON, 24 October 2019 – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom aim to further strengthen the strategic partnership in the context of the important social and political processes taking place in the two states, including Kazakhstan’s large-scale reform programme and implementation of the long-term development strategy, as well as the UK leaving the European Union. These were discussed at the meeting between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko and the UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Christopher Pincher MP.The diplomats focused on current and new topics on bilateral and multilateral agenda and touched upon the outcomes of the recent Kazakhstan Global Investment Forum 2019, the Kazakh-British Business Council and the 6th meeting of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation.Mr. Vassilenko briefed his colleague on the current situation and the political changes taking place in Kazakhstan. “Kazakhstan’s modern political system is transparent, reliable and stable, and ensures constitutional continuity of power in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We pledge to remain on the strategic course in Kazakhstan’s foreign and domestic policy,” he emphasised.The Minister of State Pincher praised the dynamics of the process of Kazakhstan’s political modernisation and reiterated the UK’s commitment to the further development of strategic partnership with Kazakhstan. He noted that the opening of the Astana International Financial Centre which operates based on the principles and norms of English common law is one of the significant achievements of bilateral cooperation.The sides also discussed the new draft Agreement on strategic partnership and cooperation between the two states, the signing of which is planned after the UK leaves the European Union.When discussing the new areas of cooperation within the Global Britain concept, the sides noted the prospects of the “British technologies and experience, Kazakh resources and transit-transport potential, Chinese investment and markets” formula.Speaking about the situation in the region, the sides noted the measures undertaken by Kazakhstan to help restore peace in Afghanistan, including the educational project for Afghan women recently launched in Kazakhstan and funded by the European Union.The meeting also discussed cooperation in defence and security, cultural cooperation, education and science.The sides reached mutual understanding on a wide range of topics and reiterated a shared commitment to further endorse the long-term partnerships across the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/34107?lang=kk

Samruk-Kazyna and Da Vinci Capital to create a $100 million joint private equity fund---TURKISTAN Special Economic Zone wins in three nominations of the Global Free Zones of the Year 2019 prize awarded by the fDi Magazine  LONDON, 23 October 2019 – Kazakhstan’s investment opportunities and the further development of Kazakh-British business relations were the key topics discussed during the visit of the Kazakh delegation representing the public and private sectors led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko.The 3rd meeting of the Kazakh-British Business Council and the Kazakhstan Global Investment Forum 2019 were held in London as part of the visit. The forum was organised by Financial Times, an influential international newspaper, the fDi Magazine, Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund, Kazakh Invest National Company, and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UK.Over 200 business executives from the manufacturing, agricultural, chemical, mining and financial sectors, as well as metallurgy, alternative energy, logistics and digital technologies spheres attended the forum.The event was dedicated to the vast business and investment opportunities Kazakhstan has to offer, as well as the latest political and economic transformations in the country. As a rapidly growing economy strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan has the potential to become an important commercial partner for the UK after Brexit.“Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia, accounting for more than half of the region’s GDP. We are also widely considered to have the best investment climate in the region, having attracted over $300 billion in foreign direct investment since independence,” Mr. Vassilenko stated in his opening address.He stressed that besides the business climate, foreign investors have been attracted by Kazakhstan’s political stability demonstrated, among other developments, by the smooth transition of power and the election of the new President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, earlier this year; well-educated workforce; and the access the country provides to a fast-growing regional market of 500 million consumers.Mr. Vassilenko noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, which since the beginning of this year was entrusted with attracting investment into the key sectors of the economy, is making every effort to achieve its objectives.The key forum speakers included the Chair of the Board of the Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund Akhmetzhan Yessimov, Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Kairat Kelimbetov, UK Minister for Investment of the Department for International Trade Graham Stuart MP, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Kazakhstan Baroness Emma Nicholson, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Belt and Road Initiative Faisal Rashid MP, and the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Sir Suma Chakrabarti.Speaking at the plenary session, Mr. Stuart noted that “The UK is now one of the biggest foreign direct investors in Kazakhstan, showing the confidence our firms have in your dynamic economy. Hundreds of British companies have their licenses to operate in Kazakhstan with total trade between our nations worth £2.7 billion last year. Now, as the UK prepares to leave the European Union and become truly a global champion of free trade, we want British firms to play an even more central role in helping Kazakhstan grow and develop over the coming decades”.Kazakhstan’s improvement in the World Bank’s Doing Business 2019 ranking serves as a demonstration of efficient efforts on improving the country’s investment climate. Kazakhstan joined the top 30 countries with the most favourable conditions for doing business, reaching 28th spot among 190 countries.“At the heart of Eurasia Kazakhstan’s GDP has expanded four percent in the past two ears and it provides a wonderful stable platform for which we are deeply grateful for British companies to access their neighbours in the Eurasian Economic Union, China and Uzbekistan. And Kazakhstan has attracted the lion’s share of inward investment into the heart of Eurasia. And today, the Astana International Financial Centre and many other institutions will show us  the potential investment opportunities and perhaps give us more current possibilities of the privatisation programme of state-owned companies,” Baroness Nicholson said.The role of Samruk-Kazyna, which manages Kazakhstan’s largest state assets in various industries, was a special topic on the agenda.“Taking into account the global economic trends, the [Samruk-Kazyna] Fund approved a new strategy aimed at diversifying income by investing in such promising sectors as petrochemical industry, renewables, high tech, Industry 4.0, as well as creating joint private equity funds with sovereign funds and major investment companies,” Mr. Yessimov said.He also noted that over the next five years, the Fund plans to invest more than $38 billion in the above areas, where $32 billion will be foreign investments of which British companies are expected to be a part of.The forum participants stressed the importance of the AIFC that operates on the principles of English common law. The Centre is an important platform for attracting investment, has the appropriate financial instruments and provides international level services. Investors operate in favourable conditions, which include an independent regulatory mechanism, a court and an international arbitration centre that meet international standards.Kazakhstan’s participation in the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative gained particular attention. The forum discussed the prospects of developing a tripartite partnership between the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan and China based on the principles of maximising efficiency through the use of the British project management system, Kazakhstan’s resources and Chinese investments.The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom Erlan Idrissov and the British Ambassador to Kazakhstan Michael Gifford stressed in their closing addresses that such major economy-focused events indicate the firm intention of the two states to deepen and expand investment and economic cooperation.On the sidelines of the forum, Mr. Vassilenko met with top British business executives and the leadership of international organisations, including the EBRD, GlaxoSmithKline, Gap Insaat, Investcorp, Independent Power Corporation, United Green, Worley Parsons, and International Development Ireland Ltd.The 3rd meeting of the Kazakh-British Business Council, co-chaired by Baroness Nicholson and Mr. Yessimov, discussed further plans for developing cooperation. The sides also noted the state and prospects of the privatisation programme of Samruk-Kazyna’s portfolio companies, marking Kazatomprom’s successful listing on the London Stock Exchange last year.Following the Kazakh-British Business Council meeting, Samruk-Kazyna signed an agreement with Da Vinci Capital investment company on the creation of a $100 million joint private equity fund. Under the agreement, the fund is to invest at least $40 million in Kazakh enterprises in the IT and digitisation sectors to facilitate their development and subsequent IPO.Samruk-Kazyna also signed a co-investment agreement with EDP Renovaveis, the world’s fourth largest solar and wind power company. The document regulates the principles of the joint implementation of renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan. EDP Renovaveis plans to implement a project to build a 250 MWatt solar power plant in Kazakhstan.The event also saw the signing of two memoranda of cooperation:- between the QazIndustry Kazakhstan Industry and Export Centre and the International Development Ireland Ltd on the assistance in attracting Irish investment projects worth at least 50 billion tenge to the territory of Kazakhstan’s special economic and industrial zones, and- between the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan and the Gap Insaat company on the construction of a 350-bed hospital in Aktau using the financing provided by UK Export Finance.The forum also included the award ceremony of the Global Free Zones of the Year 2019 prize, annually awarded by the fDi Magazine to one of the 5,000 free economic zones of the world. The TURKISTAN Special Economic Zone won in three nominations: in the Asia-Pacific region for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, the Ones To Watch editor’s choice award, and Best Marketing Slogan, which reads “Honoring the past, creating the future”. The victory is expected to raise recognition and improve the attractiveness of the TURKISTAN SEZ for foreign investors.The Kazakhstan delegation’s visit will continue on 24 October, with the sixth meeting of the Kazakh-British Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33823?lang=kk

NUR-SULTAN, October 17, 2019 – The 9th meeting of the Kazakh-Vietnamese Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (IGC) was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The Kazakh delegation was headed by Yermek Kosherbayev, chairman of the Kazakh part of the Commission, deputy minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan, while the Vietnamese delegation was headed by Hoang Quoc Vuong, deputy minister of industry and trade of Vietnam.The sides agreed that there is great potential in agriculture, including through interaction between research centers of the two countries to grow new varieties of rice. They noted a systematic implementation of the agreements of the previous Commission meeting, including the entry into force of agreements on extradition, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, as well as intensified inter-parliamentary cooperation.The Commission has identified such priority areas as holding the 1st meeting of the Subcommittee on Agriculture in 2020, developing AIFC cooperation, concluding agreements on cooperation in veterinary medicine, container transportation, transfer of sentenced persons and mutual legal assistance and cooperation in customs matters, as well as on cooperation between agricultural universities of the two countries.Kazakhstan and Vietnam, being parties to the Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, agreed to intensify joint work to provide preferences for business communities of both countries to ensure greater export and import of goods between the two countries, as well as to create joint ventures in the light, food and processing industries, in particular, make efforts to set up modern manufacturing of clothing and shoes.IGC co-chairs welcomed the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference to be held on June 8-11, 2020 in Nur Sultan and the fact that Kazakhstan joined the list of countries whose citizens are granted an electronic visa by Vietnam. The sides mentioned opportunities for the development of tourism cooperation, the most important prerequisites for which would be further liberalization of visa scheme for citizens of the two countries, direct flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the development of relations and twinning of Nur Sultan and Hanoi, Almaty and Ho Chi Minh City.The Vietnamese side was grateful for the assistance in the successful implementation of the investment project of the Vietnamese company Mareven in the Almaty region for food production ($50 million of investment, creation of 500 jobs).Overall, the meeting agenda covered a broad range of issues aimed at further developing and expanding cooperation in the political, trade, economic and financial areas, education and science, agriculture, transport, culture, tourism and sports. The success of the Commission meeting, which is a key mechanism for bilateral cooperation, has given a significant impetus to the further strengthening of trade, economic and investment relations between the two countries.The next meeting of the Commission will take place in Viet Nam.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33815?lang=kk

The first high-level meeting on economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United States took place on October 18, 2019. Co-chair of the commission from the Kazakh side, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan B.Sultanov, from the American side - US Secretary of Commerce W.Ross.The meeting of the commission was carried out in accordance with the commitments reached between the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Elbasy N. Nazarbayev and the President of the United States D. Trump during his official visit to Washington in January 2018, as well as business meetings of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev in New York in September 2019. During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the expanded strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States, noting with satisfaction the growth in mutual trade and investment. In addition, the Head of the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted the presence of significant potential for increasing Kazakhstani exports. So, at present 50 items of goods worth about $ 1 billion can be additionally delivered to the American market. According to the parties, the high dynamics of bilateral contacts at the highest level contributes to economic growth and the creation of new jobs in both countries. The ministers discussed the implementation of large joint investment and commercial projects, as well as identified promising areas of bilateral cooperation, including in the field of agriculture, energy, industry, high technology, tourism and the commercialization of space.   The agenda of the meeting included issues of interaction in the framework of multilateral mechanisms, including the WTO and OECD. The co-chairs of the high-level group also noted the need for mutually beneficial use of the capabilities of the US Corporation for International Development Financing and the Astana International Financial Center.Following the meeting, B. Sultanov and U. Ross agreed to consider the possibility of holding the second meeting of the high-level group on economic cooperation in Nur-Sultan next year.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33813?lang=kk

NUR-SULTAN, October 17, 2019 – Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, received the Ambassadors of Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and the United Kingdom.In   light of the upcoming official visit of President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Berlin, he discussed future bilateral cooperation with the Ambassador of Germany Tilo Klinner.At a meeting with UAE Ambassador Mohammed Al Jaber, the Arab diplomat presented to President Tokayev “the carpet of the world”, a symbol of tolerance, on behalf of the UAE’s leadership.During the talks with the Ambassador of Pakistan Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi, the sides agreed to continue to develop mutually beneficial cooperation, mentioning in this regard the importance of an early holding of the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission between the two states in Islamabad.Ambassador of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Michael Gifford informed the Minister about the preparations for the upcoming events in London on October 23-24, 2019, including the annual Kazakhstan Global Investment Forum-2019, the Business Council and the 6th meeting of the Kazakh-British Intergovernmental Commission. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33812?lang=kk

On October 14-18, 2019, Almaty hosted a regular meeting of the government delegations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Joint Kazakh-Uzbek Border Demarcation Commission.The sides developed draft outcome documents on the demarcation of the state border at the section between the Mangystau region of Kazakhstan and Karakalpakstan of Uzbekistan.During the meeting, the sides prepared and signed draft protocols of border markers consisting of 160 pillars, as well as a list of coordinates and heights of these border markers.An agreement was reached to carry out field demarcation work in separate sections of the Kazakh-Uzbek state border in November 2019.The talks were held in a traditional friendly and constructive atmosphere.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33803?lang=kk

PRETORIA, 15 October 2019 - Kanat Tumysh, new Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Republic of South Africa, presented his letters of credence to Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa during a solemn ceremony held in the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse.During the course of this event, Ambassador Tumysh conveyed to the Head of State sincere greetings and warm wishes from Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, especially for the RSA’s outstanding UN Security Council Presidency, commending the high level of Kazakh-South African political, economic, cultural and humanitarian relations aimed at strengthening interstate cooperation across the entire spectrum of ties. The Ambassador confirmed the adherence of Kazakhstan’s leadership to further building-up efforts to improve mechanisms of mutually beneficial cooperation and updated about the key areas, outlined by President Tokayev in his this year’s most important speeches, in particular, the Inaugural statement and the State of the Nation Address. Yet, he mentioned Kazakhstan’s measures to diversify its economy, promote transit and transport potential and attract investment, and updated on the modernization of his country’s development in the political, social and economic spheres. This go in tune with the new initiatives of President Ramaphosa, elected in May 2019.Tumysh also focused on the need to deepen cooperation in the international organizations, where both sides have repeatedly proved their reputation as promoters of the principles of multilateralism and supporters of anti-war and anti-nuclear policies. In particular, on the UN Security Council seat, with the tenure of Kazakhstan in 2017-2018, and South Africa in 2019-2020. He also voiced important initiatives of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the First President and Leader of Nation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular, to create a new geopolitical reality based on three dialogues, as well as to free our planet from the scourges of terrorism and WMD.He pointed to the ideas of tolerance, as well as inter-ethnic and inter-confessional peace and harmony, promoted by his country. Kazakh diplomat also added, “Our countries have much in common. Both South Africa and Kazakhstan boast a diverse population with different ethnicities, religions, and traditions – a diversity that strengthens and enriches us”. As President Ramaphosa highlighted: “It is friends like you with whom we seek to work to protect and strengthen the rules-based multilateral system of global governance… as well as to address poverty, inequality, war, terrorism and climate change. These challenges are inter-related and mutually reinforcing. We should work together to discourage unilateralism in matters of international trade and security. We must work together to defend the integrity of our multilateral institutions by ensuring that they are effective, inclusive and truly democratic”.Touching on economic issues, the head of the host country called for the development of mutual tourism and investment: “To this effect, we will be hosting the second South Africa Investment Conference next month, from the 5th to the 7th of November. We welcome investors from your country to attend this Investment Conference and to see for themselves the potential for opportunities that exist in South Africa.”The President also emphasized the commitment of the government and the people of South Africato deepening economic partnership, political dialogue and cooperation with Kazakhstan on matters of mutual interest, conveying warm greetings to the leadership of this friendly country. He wished to Ambassador K. Tumysh enjoyable and meaningful stay in South Africa.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33433?lang=kk

On 14 October 2019 the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan R.Vassilenko as a guest of honor attended the celebration of the ITEC Day (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation).In his statement, the Deputy Foreign Minister noted the importance and relevance of the ITEC courses to Kazakhstani specialists in various fields (information technology, English, cybersecurity, medicine, etc.) and wished success to this program in further deepening cooperation between Kazakhstan and India.As the Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan P.Kumar informed, 1020 citizens of Kazakhstan from 1990s to 2019 were trained at various courses of the ITEC, which was established in 1964.   Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33422?lang=kk

BAKU, 14 October, 2019 - The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serzhan Abdykarimov presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev this morning in Baku.During the conversation, the President of Azerbaijan emphasized the warm and good relations that have historically developed with the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev, which continue to develop successfully with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, which allowed bringing bilateral cooperation to a high level of strategic partnership. Ilham Aliyev shared his vision on further strengthening and expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation in investment, trade and economic, fuel and energy, transit and transport, agricultural, cultural and humanitarian and other fields.The Ambassador thanked the President of Azerbaijan for agreeing to his appointment, spoke about his plans and expressed his readiness to take efforts to intensify the entire spectrum of relations between the two fraternal states and peoples.President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Ambassador Abdykarimov on his assuming to new position and wished him success in his future activities.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33419?lang=kk

Almaty region, 04.10.2019 - An international business forum Jetisy Invest-2019 took place in Taldykorgan, Almaty region. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ermek Kosherbayev, Akim of Almaty Region Amandyk Batalov, Deputy CEO of KAZAKH INVEST Birzhan Kaneshev as well as over 400 representatives of the diplomatic corps, financial organisations and international and local business circles from 7 countries. The forum participants signed commercial agreements for 13 projects worth $ 859.7 million. The Akim of Almaty region Amandyk Batalov noted that despite the global economic crisis and general decline in investment inflows, domestic investments grew by 27% in Almaty region between 2014 and 2016. In 2018, the Almaty region was Kazakhstan’s leading region in terms of attracting foreign investments. Volume of investments in the region has been growing annually by 20% since 2016. In turn, the Deputy CEO of KAZAKH INVEST Birzhan Kaneshev emphasised the importance of favourable investment climate in the country: “The Government carried out a number of reforms to improve the country’s investment climate by introducing and implementing global best practices. Today, we have a three-level system for supporting foreign investors, including Kazakhstan’s representative offices abroad at the external level, KAZAKH INVEST at the central level and regional front offices operating on the “one-stop shop” basis. The representatives of large and multinational companies, such as Leroy-Merlin, Mareven Food, Waste Energy KZ, ArKazInvest and others shared about their successful experience in the region. During the forum, it was noted that the region is suitable for implementation of renewable energy projects. Thus, 24 out of 74 renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan operate in Almaty region. One of the projects, Kazakhstan’s largest solar power plant with a capacity of 100 MW, was implemented with participation of a major investor from Singapore - Universal Energy and launched in September. Next year, the same company plans to launch a solar and a wind power plants with a capacity of 50 MW each. In addition, another 28 renewable energy projects are at different stages of implementation.Currently, KAZAKH INVEST project pipeline includes 34 projects worth $3.8 billion in Almaty region. Of these, 12 projects are at the construction stage and 22 - at the development stage. By end of the year, there are plans to implement 10 projects resulting in creation of 1200 jobs.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33219?lang=kk

Almaty region, October 4, 2019 - The front office for investment attraction and investors’ support started operations in Almaty region. The office was launched in line with the Government’s order to establish special front offices for investors in the country. The office, operating on the principle of "one-stop shop", is located in the financial center of Kazakhstan – Almaty city with the address Zheltoksan St. 112. “The front office, operating on the “one-stop shop” principle, provides not only comfortable conditions for obtaining public services, but also availability and transparency of procedures as well as effective interaction with authorities” - said Birzhan Kaneshev, Deputy CEO of KAZAKH INVEST.The front office will house specialists from local executive bodies, public service centers, Regional Chambers of Entrepreneurs Atameken, Damu Entrepreneurship Fund, socio-entrepreneurial corporations (SEC), migration, customs and tax authorities, as well as public notaries and translators.  At the front office, all investors and businessmen will be served in nine directions, namely provision of public services, project support, marketing and accounting services, procurement consultations, CT KZ certification, assistance from financial institutions and development institutes, protection of rights and legitimate interests of business, as well as assistance in solving all migration, customs and tax issues. It is worth noting that, today, across Almaty region there are 34 investment projects worth $3.8 billion registered in the KAZAKH INVEST Monitoring System. Of these, 12 projects are under the construction, while 22 projects are at the development stage. In general, 10 projects will be implemented by the end of the year creating 1200 jobs.National Company KAZAKH INVEST JSC is a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. KAZAKH INVEST, acting as a "single negotiator" on behalf of the Government of the country, provides a full range of services to support investment projects, including registration, obtaining various permits and approvals required for the implementation of investment activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33218?lang=kk

The Republic of Kazakhstan welcomes the accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking states (Turkic Council, CCTS).On 14 September 2019, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a Decree on the accession to the Nakhchivan Agreement on the Establishment of the Cooperation Council of the Turkic-speaking states. On the same day Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, send the instrument of accession to the CCTS Secretariat.Turkic Council was established on 3 October 2009 by the initiative of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev. The founders of the organization are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.This historic decision important for the Turkic world coincides with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Agreement. The Heads of States of the organization will sign the decision on the membership of Uzbekistan into the Turkic Council during the 7th Summit of the Turkic Council devoted to the development of small and medium-sized business, which will be held in Baku on 15 October 2019.Uzbekistan’s membership in the CCTS will strengthen the integration of the Turkic world and bring new horizons of cooperation at the times when the Turkic Council is taking concrete steps to strengthen the economic interaction of the Turkic states. In May 2019 in the capital of Kazakhstan within the framework of the XII Astana Economic Forum, the joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkic-speaking states was launched with the aim to further enhance ties between businessmen and increase trade turnover between countries.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32243?lang=kk

On 17 September UN Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt visited Almaty, in the framework of which he attended the new UN building. This is the first visit of the UN representative at this level to a new building. During a tour inside the building, UN Special Envoy was introduced with the initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan on establishment of UN Regional Hub on the basis of a new building, which was positively received by him.In his opinion, Kazakhstan is an important partner of the organization and makes a significant contribution to the efforts in development of a global partnership to improve road safety. Kazakhstan also pays special attention to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals not only in the country, but also with a focus on the Central Asian region.After visiting the UN building, J. Todt met with the mayor of Almaty Bakhytzhan Sagintayev, and also met with representatives of secondary education at school No.90.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32240?lang=kk

While in Hangzhou, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the China National Tea Museum.During the tour of the halls, the Head of the Administration Committee of West Lake Tourist Attraction of Hangzhou Wen Wenjie and Director of the Museum Wu Xiaoli told the President Tokayev about the subtleties of tea traditions and tea etiquette, as well as about the peculiarities of tea culture in various provinces of China. The President was shown a tea ceremony.Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also visited the Leifeng Pagoda and examined the ancient manuscripts collected in the library on the territory of the pagoda.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32236?lang=kk

As part of his two-day state visit to the People's Republic of China, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Hangzhou, located in Zhejiang province.In Hangzhou, Kazakhstan’s President visited the leading global supplier of innovative products “Hikvision” company.Hikvision’s CEO Chen Zongnan told President Tokayev about his company’s activities and implementation of some commercial projects in Central Asia.Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was presented the company's developments in the robotics, big data processing, artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32234?lang=kk

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia Fernando Huanacuni Mamani in Astana on August 17, 2017. This is the first ever visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia to Kazakhstan in the history of bilateral relations.The agenda of the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was focused on multilateral cooperation, considering that Kazakhstan and Bolivia are currently non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for 2017-2018. Ministers noted the importance of coordination of joint efforts within the framework of the UN and other international organizations to promote common interests and strengthen Kazakhstan-Bolivian partnership in such areas as nuclear disarmament and creation of a world free of nuclear weapons.Ministers also discussed the present state and development prospects of bilateral relations, based on positive experience of participation of Bolivia in the EXPO 2017. They noted the potential to develop bilateral cooperation in the energy and mining industry and to promote small and medium business ties. They also expressed shared interest for cooperation in education and sports.In conclusion of the meeting Kazakh and Bolivian Foreign Ministers signed the Political Declaration that reflects the most promising areas of bilateral cooperation, including the decision to hold political consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs to support further broadening of dialogue between Kazakhstan and Bolivia.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32003?lang=kk

August 19, 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Portuguese Republic. Throughout a quarter-century of friendship and rapport, cooperation between Astana and Lisbon has developed in an environment of mutual benefit and progress. The visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, to Portugal in 2010, as well as the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, Paulo Portas, to Kazakhstan in 2014 became significant milestones in bilateral relations. Collaboration between the foreign ministries and relevant agencies of the two nations is strengthening. The first political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs took place in 2012. The opening of the Embassy of Portugal in Astana in 2015 gave additional impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation. Economic ties are seeing steady expansion. Astana and Lisbon host business meetings on a regular basis, which increasingly lead to the opening of new avenues for mutually beneficial partnerships. Among the promising fields for bilateral economic cooperation are energy (including alternative energy), electronics, agriculture, food industry, pharmaceuticals, civil engineering, and consumer goods. An important line of cooperation is multilateral interaction within the framework of the UN, the OSCE, and other international organizations where Kazakhstan and Portugal hold similar or identical positions on key issues on the international agenda. Kazakhstan is committed to further strengthening political dialogue and expanding comprehensive collaboration with Portugal.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32001?lang=kk

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Honduras Maria Dolores Aguero, who is paying the first visit by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Astana in the history of bilateral relations.During the meeting held in a friendly atmosphere the parties expressed their interest to establish political dialogue between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Honduras. They also noted the need to identify the most promising areas of bilateral relations, including trade and tourism.The Ministers exchanged views on pressing issues of international relations and regional security. They noted similarity in approaches of two countries on key matters of multilateral agenda and underlined the need to continue fruitful engagement within the framework of the United Nations, where Honduras has put forward its candidacy to the Security Council for 2022-2023.Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov informed about Kazakhstan's engagement with such platforms of regional cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean as the Organization of American States, Association of Caribbean States, Caribbean Community and others. Another important organization is the Central American Integration System that has Honduras among its members and aims to create a free trade zone and common market.Minister of Foreign Affairs of Honduras led respectable delegation to participate in the celebration of the National Day of Honduras at the EXPO 2017 in Astana. Honduras is operating a pavilion and celebrated this day with an exciting performance of its artists.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/31375?lang=kk

ASTANA, 10 September, 2017 - President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev opened the First Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on science and technology.The heads of delegations adopted Astana declaration of the First Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on science and technology “Science and technology, innovation and modernization in Islamic world"Also, the OIC Chairman's summary report of the meeting of heads of State and Government on the Rohingya muslim community in Myanmar was approved.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/31267?lang=kk