Almaty. August 23. Information Center - The Qatar-Kazakhstan Business Council is planning an array of initiatives to further boost the growing trade relations between both countries, including organising a Qatari-Kazakhstan business forum in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan soon as well as holding joint projects in various sectors such as agriculture, construction, tourism, finance, and other industries, officials have said during a meeting hosted by the Qatar Chamber (QC) yesterday, The Peninsula Qatar reports.

The meeting of the Joint Business Council was attended by Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister H E Ali Khan Smailov and QC’s First Vice-Chairman Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari, and jointly chaired by Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, Head of the Qatari side and Almassadam Satkaliyev, Head of the Kazakhstan side, in the presence of council members and the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Qatar H E Arman Issagaliyev.

Speaking during the event, Smailov stressed the common desire between both countries to strengthen and develop their bilateral relations in various fields, especially in trade and investment. 
He added that there are plans to hold a Qatari-Kazakhstan business forum in Nur-Sultan soon in order to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries. He also pointed out that there are many areas in which cooperation can be strengthened, such as agriculture, construction, tourism, financial institutions, and industrial businesses. 

Smailov went on to call on Qatari businessmen to identify the opportunities available in these sectors, while reiterating that Kazakhstan is the largest economy in the Central Asian region and has great resource potentials such as plutonium and precious metals. The country also has strategic geographical location as well as good relations with both Russia and China, in addition to many advantages that make Kazakhstan attractive to investments, he added. 

Smailov also went on to express his hope that direct flights will be established between Qatar and Kazakhstan as of next September.

Also speaking during the event, Al Kuwari welcomed the Kazakh delegation and said that he looked forward to seeing the establishment of commercial partnerships between business owners in both countries. He also pointed out that the Qatari-Kazakhstan relations are witnessing a remarkable development in all fields, in light of the wise leadership in both countries seeking to strengthen cooperation and increase the prospects of these relations, especially in the trade, economic and investment fields. 

He also stressed the importance of cooperation and exchange of experiences between Qatari companies and their Kazakh counterparts. Al Kuwari also highlighted QC’s keenness to overcome any obstacles that prevent the establishment of partnerships and joint projects between the private sector in the two countries, noting that the QC has received many Kazakh trade delegations and has also organised commercial visits to Kazakhstan in recent years, while stressing that the QC welcomes all Kazakh companies that wish to invest in Qatar.

According to Al Obaidli, bilateral trade between Qatar and Kazakhstan quadrupled in 2020 compared to the previous year. He added that the Qatari-Kazakhstan Business Council seeks to increase the prospects for cooperation between Qatari companies and their counterparts in Kazakhstan, establish joint companies, and benefit from the expertise possessed by companies on both sides. He also stressed the interest of Qatari businessmen in identifying opportunities in promising sectors in Kazakhstan and to benefit from investment incentives provided by the country. 

Al Obaidli also called on business owners in Kazakhstan to learn about business opportunities in Qatar and to take advantage of the facilities and incentives Qatar offers to foreign investors, especially since Qatar is currently witnessing huge projects within the framework of the National Food Program.

During the meeting, Satkaliyev highlighted that the Council seeks to establish a strategic partnership between the two sides to mark the beginning of a new phase of economic and trade relations, pointing to the importance of regular communication between both sides and activating all procedures related to the Joint Business Council. He added that there are many existing joint investment projects, especially in the agricultural fields, and that there is a desire to increase these projects.

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of National Economy H E Alibek Kuntirov added that there are broader areas of investment cooperation, especially in the fields of banking, air freight and air transport.

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture H E Ruslan Manatayev said that the government is currently implementing a development program for the agricultural sector in the country, which results in many opportunities for investment in this vital sector. He added that there are about 5 million square kilometres of arable land with the availability of groundwater, which makes the country’s agricultural sector attractive for investment.

A panel discussion on “Economic and Investment Prospects for Cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Kazakhstan” was also held during the event, with the participation of a number of business owners and representatives of companies from both countries. The panel reviewed the available joint investment opportunities and the most important projects in various sectors in Qatar and Kazakhstan, as well as the incentives, and facilities offered to foreign investors in the two countries. 

Speaking via videoconference during the event, Director General of the International Islamic Food Processing Association Sheikh Bilal Khan, said that there are many areas to promote joint Qatari-Kazakh projects, especially in food security projects. He added that Islamic commercial institutions in the two countries can cooperate with each other, stressing the role of the Qatar-Kazakhstan Business Council in strengthening joint cooperation.

During the event, both sides reviewed the most important investment opportunities and projects available in the sectors of agriculture, livestock, mining and others. The speakers also reviewed the most important tourist destinations in Kazakhstan.