LINZ, November 11, 2019 - In order to further develop and strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Austria, the Ninth Meeting of the Kazakh-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Agricultural, Environmental, Technical, Industrial and Technological Cooperation (IGC) was conducted in Linz.

The Kazakh side was represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko, while the Austrian side was represented by Florian Frauscher, Director General of Economic Affairs, Innovation and Internationalization Department of the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs of Austria. The meeting was also attended by representatives of sectoral ministries and departments of the two countries.

The regional context is gaining increasing importance in the relations between Kazakhstan and Austria, which allows establishing direct ties between certain regions of the two countries. In this regard, the regular meeting of the IGC was not carried out in the capital of Austria - Vienna, but in the territory of the federal state of Upper Austria - Linz.

“It is very symbolic that the meetings of the Kazakh-Austrian IGC have a historical context as always. For example, the last meeting in Vienna in October 2016 was held on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Austria. Today's meeting is also significant, as it is for the first time not held in the capital, but in the region, which reflects the growing importance of the regional aspect of bilateral cooperation. In addition, this year marks 10^th anniversary of the IGC meetings,” R. Vassilenko said in his speech.

In accordance with the IGC agenda, an exchange of views took place on the current economic situation in Kazakhstan and Austria, and on measures taken by the governments of the two countries to develop economies. Confirming their interest in deepening mutually beneficial economic partnership, the parties discussed the prospects for further collaboration in the field of energy, transport, agriculture, healthcare, digitalization, utilities, and regional cooperation.

Representatives of Kazakhstan’s sectoral agencies briefed Austrian colleagues on the current situation in the field of energy, environmental protection, waste management, transport and communications. Noting the mutual interest in building cooperation in a number of areas, the IGC participants updated the list of priority joint business projects and agreed to strengthen bilateral collaboration in specific sectors of the economy.

Of particular interest to the Austrian side was the fact that Kazakhstan has introduced the “open sky” regime.

“Since November 1, 2019, on behalf of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the open sky regime has been introduced at 11 airports in our country. Foreign companies are granted the fifth freedom of the air. This regime will operate for 3 years with the possibility of extension,” the Kazakh diplomat said, confirming the country's interest in opening direct flights between Nur-Sultan and Vienna.

In turn, the Austrian side noted the existing high level of trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Austria. A number of major Austrian companies successfully operate in the Kazakhstani market in the field of information and communication technologies, light industry, and the agricultural sector. However, it was noted that the potential of bilateral interaction is still not fully realized and the parties should actively continue to increase the pace and volume of bilateral cooperation.

“Kazakhstan is a very important partner for Austria. We pay great attention to the development of trade and economic relations. It is gratifying that representatives of Kazakhstan are participating in the Upper Austria Export Day, which is taking place here today in Linz. I also want to note with satisfaction that about 50 Austrian companies are successfully operating in Kazakhstan. All of this demonstrates that the IGC has a positive applied effect,” F. Frauscher, the IGC Co-Chair from Austria, stated.

At the end of the IGC meeting, the parties signed the Final Protocol and agreed to hold the next 10th meeting in Kazakhstan.

During the visit to Linz, the Deputy Foreign Minister, R. Vassilenko, also held talks with the Ministers of the Upper Austria Government on Economics and Infrastructure Markus Achleitner and Gunther Steinkellner. In the course of the meetings, the parties discussed the prospects for further promotion of bilateral cooperation between the regions of Kazakhstan and Austria. In this context, the parties elaborated on the substantive content of the Memorandum on Economic Cooperation between the Pavlodar region and Upper Austria, as well as between the cities of Wels and Uralsk. 

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/35636?lang=kk