Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze discuss trade and economic cooperation issues
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Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit. They discussed issues of bilateral cooperation with a focus on the development of trade and economic ties, expansion of cooperation in the field of transport and logistics, transportation of oil and oil products, digital technologies, agriculture, tourism and others, primeminister.kz reports.
Olzhas Bektenov noted that Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches special importance to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Georgia. Active dialogue at different levels contributes to further diversification and expansion of bilateral trade turnover. Today Kazakh-Georgian relations are developing dynamically in all directions.
The work on increasing trade turnover is carried out within the framework of the joint Intergovernmental Commission. The Road Map on expanding the nomenclature of mutual trade turnover for 2023-2026 is being implemented. The nomenclature of exported products from Kazakhstan is replenished with new types of non-resource goods. Measures are being taken to promote 35 types of domestic goods worth over $66 million to the Georgian market. The list includes products of petrochemical, metallurgical industries, food, chemical industries and machine building.
During the talks, attention was paid to building up transit and transport interaction by unlocking the potential of the Trans-Caspian international transport route. It is expected that the measures taken will make it possible to increase the throughput capacity of the Middle Corridor to 10 million tonnes per year by 2027. In addition, the importance of continuing work on establishing competitive tariff conditions, reducing delivery times and increasing the volume of cargo transported along the route was emphasised. At the same time, Kazakh companies are also involved in capacity building in Georgia. A new multimodal terminal in the Georgian port of Poti, which is being built by a Kazakh transport and logistics investment group, is scheduled to be launched this year.
Last year, the volume of traffic on TMTM increased by 62% to 4.5 million tonnes. In order to increase the potential of the route, as well as to eliminate bottlenecks, we are working to improve infrastructure, port and terminal facilities, increase rolling stock, remove administrative barriers and create favourable conditions for carriers. The Government of Kazakhstan is determined to continue multidimensional work to ensure the dynamic development of Kazakhstan-Georgia partnership in all areas," Olzhas Bektenov emphasised.
In turn, Irakli Kobakhidze emphasised Georgia's interest in developing and strengthening bilateral ties with Kazakhstan.
This is my first and undoubtedly important official visit to Kazakhstan, aimed at strengthening economic and cultural interaction. Today there are great achievements between our states in various areas of co-operation. We are interested in further developing a comprehensive partnership with Kazakhstan," Irakli Kobakhidze noted.
In addition, the Prime Ministers discussed cooperation between the countries in the field of transporting oil and oil products to world markets. Thus, last year 1.4 million tonnes of Kazakh oil was shipped through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The goal is to gradually increase the volume of raw materials shipment up to 2.2 million tonnes per year.
Cooperation in agriculture is promising. The volume of trade turnover of agricultural products in 2024 increased by 12.3% to $71.2 million. Kazakh business has the potential to increase supplies of flour and grain, vegetable oils, pasta, mutton and beef, dairy products, confectionery, etc. to the Georgian market.
The sides noted common interests in the development of cooperation in the field of personnel training and scientific support of the agro-industrial complex, including joint scientific research. A successful example of business co-operation is the project implemented by domestic companies QVM Technology LLP, Ordabasy Group and Ervira together with Georgian company Olive Georgia on experimental planting of seedlings of olive trees on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The issues of cooperation and exchange of experience in the field of digitalisation and tourism were also raised.
Following the talks, the Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan and Georgia confirmed their intention to develop and strengthen trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian partnership.
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Kazakhstan is ready to address critical challenges through an ambitious strategy, says Tokayev
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Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025, Akorda reports.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was the first among world leader to take the floor at the event. In his speech, Kazakh leader Tokayev pointed out that today’s world faces a number of critical challenges such as climate change, desertification, biodiversity loss, water shortage and food security, being aggravated by geopolitical tensions and global supply-chain disruptions.
President Tokayev stressed the readiness of Kazakhstan to address these challenges through an ambitious strategy based on three key areas - digitalization and AI, major infrastructure projects and nuclear energy.
The world’s energy systems contribute to 75% of the total greenhouse emissions and 10% of biodiversity loss. It’s important that international partners such as Masdar, Total, Eni and others had pledged to carry out 43GW worth green energy projects in Kazakhstan. Construction of the first nuclear power plant, widely supported in the nation-wide referendum, will be a key step towards sustainable development of the country’s energy sector. Kazakhstan also aims to diversify its supplies of critical raw materials, necessary to achieve global goals to reduce carbon emissions, said Tokayev.
Earlier it was reported that the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, had taken part in the solemn opening of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and Zayed Sustainability Prize awarding ceremony.
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Kazakh President attends Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week opening ceremony
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The Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, took part in the solemn opening of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and Zayed Sustainability Prize awarding ceremony, Kazinform News Agency learnt from the Akorda press service.
President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, politicians, investors and entrepreneurs also attended the ceremony.
The Head of State is expected to take the floor at the summit under the theme 'The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress’.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is one of the global platforms to address sustainable development issues and challenges of climate change.
As previously stated, under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 will convene 13 heads of state and over 140 ministers and government officials alongside business and technology leaders at the ADSW Summit to supercharge socioeconomic and technological progress and unlock a potential $10 trillion economic transformation opportunity.
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Tokayev meets with Kyrgyz FM Jeenbek Kulubaev
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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev, Akorda reports.
Greeting the guest, Kazakh leader Tokayev with satisfaction noted the dynamic development of Kazakh-Kyrgyz relations of strategic partnership and alliance built upon the strong ties of friendship and good-neighborliness.
The Head of State drew attention to the importance of full realization of the high-level agreements of strategic nature reached earlier and that are aimed at enhancing interstate ties of both countries.
In turn, Jeenbek Kulubaev informed the Kazakh President on the outcomes of the talks he held with the Kazakh Foreign Minister and the key areas of further joint work on deepening bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, the priority attention was placed to the issues of boosting trade and economic interaction, developing transport and logistics infrastructure, stepping up investment and cultural-humanitarian ties.
The interlocutors also exchanged views on the current issues of regional and international agenda.
Earlier it was reported that Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev would pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on January 10-11 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu.
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Kazakh President receives well-known AI expert Kai-Fu Lee
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures Kai-Fu Lee, Kazinform News Agency learnt from the Akorda press service.
During the meeting, the Kazakh President highlighted the strategic importance of introducing the latest technologies and noted that the exchange of experience with world-leading experts contributes to achieving ambitious goals in the sphere of digital transformation.
The parties also shared views on AI integration into various spheres of life, including healthcare, education, energy, etc.
Kai-Fu Lee, who has wide Artificial Intelligence and software product development expertise, highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s potential to introduce IT initiatives and create a competitive technological ecosystem.
Earlier, Kazinform News Agency reported on the main challenges of AI in 2024.
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Euronews will encourage dialogue between CA and EU, says Tokayev
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Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Chairman of the Board of Directors of Euronews Pedro Vargas David, Kazinform News Agency reports.
During the meeting, the sides discussed issues of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Euronews, one of the leading multilingual broadcasters.
Kazakh leader Tokayev hailed the opening of the Euronews regional office as a very important event, opening new opportunities to bring closer the world audience to economic, cultural and tourist potential of Kazakhstan as well as Central Asia in general.
President Tokayev drew attention to the fact that the media platform will encourage dialogue and mutual understanding between the region’s countries and the EU.
In turn, Pedro Vargas David spoke about the plans to implement the Euronews Academy project aimed at training Kazakhstani journalists in state-of-the-art technologies and fostering high professional standards, contributing toward competitive advantage of domestic media.
The Head of State reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s interest in training qualified specialists, who will be able to work efficiently in a globalized information environment.
Euronews Board Chairman Pedro Vargas David highlighted the importance of President Tokayev’s reform course to ensure sustainable development of the country and contribute to transparent society.
In addition, the interlocutors exchanged views on the current issues of the geopolitical situation in the world.
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President Tokayev highlights potential of Islamic Organization for Food Security
The Presidents of Kazakhstan and Guinea-Bissau, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Umaro Sissoco Embaló, held a press conference, Kazinform News Agency has learnt from Akorda.
Following the talks, the Kazakhstani and Guinea-Bissauan presidents issued a joint statement for the media.
As President Tokayev noted, the official visit of Umaro Sissoco Embaló to Kazakhstan is a clear demonstration of the common goals and aspirations the countries have in common in spite of the geographic distance.
As a result of the bilateral talks, the important agreements were reached. This visit will contribute to further enhancement of cooperation in political, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian and other spheres. So, our countries are interested in unlocking the full potential in the sphere of transport and logistics. It was agreed to explore ways for pairing of the Port of Bissau and the Trans-Caspian Transport Route in West Africa. This is of particular importance now when the world’s geopolitical situation and food security issues are becoming more serious, said the Head of State.
According to Tokayev, the sides also focused on agricultural cooperation, stressing Kazakhstan’s huge potential to export grain crops to Guinea-Bissau.
It’s necessary to fully tap into the potential of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, established at the initiative of our country. Cooperation in mining and natural resource development was also discussed. In particular, there are opportunities to hold joint work in the field of exploration and development of deposits of iron, phosphate, bauxite and other rare earth minerals, added the Kazakh President.
Earlier it was reported that the members of the Kazakhstani and Guinea-Bissauan official delegations exchanged three documents as a follow-up to the negotiations held earlier.
It’s worth noting that President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló arrived in Kazakhstan on December 18 for an official visit upon the invitation of Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Both presidents held talks at the Akorda presidential palace in Astana.
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Kazakhstan ready to expand ties with Guinea-Bissau in UN, OIC, President
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló held talks in Astana, Kazinform News Agency learnt from the Akorda press service.
The Head of State said Guinea-Bissau is an important partner of Kazakhstan in Africa.
We are interested in strengthening bilateral relations. We have good prospects, taking into account, that the governments of the two nations, will undertake efforts to find more opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. We have common views on pressing international issues and are ready to expand ties with Your representatives in the key international structures, first of all, in the UN, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Head of State said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev focused on the existing potential for the development of ties between Kazakhstan and Guinea-Bissau in agriculture, the mining sector, digitalization, transport and logistics.
Umaro Sissoco Embaló, in turn, thanked the Head of State for a warm welcome. He said he arrived in Kazakhstan before as the Prime Minister. The President also noted students from Guinea-Bissau studied once in Kazakhstan expressing intent to further cooperation in this sphere since there are too many things to learn from Kazakhstan.
Besides, the parties shared views on pressing issues on the global and regional agenda.
As earlier reported, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, at the Akorda Palace.
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