Speaking at the plenary session of the 21st Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum on the topic "Blue-collar jobs: a driver of economic growth," Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasized the strategic importance of expanding industrial cooperation and strengthening trade and economic ties to achieve the goal of increasing mutual trade turnover to $30 billion in the shortest possible time.

The forum, held with the participation of the Heads of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Vladimir Putin, has served as a unique platform for strategic dialogue for over two decades, uniting the efforts of the two countries in a wide range of areas.

"Each forum opens new opportunities for regions, businesses, and educational institutions, strengthening people-to-people ties and creating a solid foundation for development. We are committed to further expanding cooperation, particularly in trade and economic matters," the minister noted.

According to Arman Shakkaliyev, Kazakhstan and Russia are already implementing 30 joint projects worth $4.4 billion, creating over 12,000 jobs. The launch of another 29 projects worth $30.8 billion is expected, creating over 23,000 jobs. These initiatives span key sectors, including energy, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, chemicals, and agriculture, creating new centers of excellence and ensuring sustainable industrial growth.

"Behind each project stands a specific person, a specific profession. Labor is the foundation of our industrial and economic development, the source of creativity, and the primary social value," the minister emphasized.

During the forum, special attention was paid to human capital development. Kazakhstan declared 2025 the Year of Blue-Collar Professions, during which comprehensive work is being carried out to improve the training system, enhance the prestige of blue-collar professions, and strengthen partnerships with employers.

The minister recalled that the Concept for the Development of the Labor Market until 2030 will be implemented starting in 2024. Its strategic goal is to improve the qualifications and continuously develop the skills of the workforce. By 2030, Kazakhstan plans to create at least 3.8 million high-quality jobs, accounting for 45% of total employment.

Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia in education and training remains a key area. Dual education programs are being implemented, resource centers for competencies are being established, and academic mobility is being developed. More than 55,000 Kazakhstanis are studying at Russian universities, and over 2,000 Russian citizens are studying in Kazakhstan. This interaction creates a common educational space and trains in-demand specialists.

Particular attention is being paid to the implementation of artificial intelligence. Kazakhstan has launched the first supercomputer cluster in Central Asia and is creating industry accelerators and pilot sites for AI solutions. Educational programs are also being developed in parallel: AI Qyzmet for government employees, AI Sana for students, and AI Olymp for schoolchildren.

"We not only create technologies, but also create an environment for their scalability," emphasized Arman Shakkaliyev. In conclusion, he noted that the government will continue to ensure decent employment and competitiveness of Kazakhstani workers in domestic and international markets.