Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides took part in the Kazakhstan-Cyprus Business Forum, which is being held in Astana as part of the official visit of the President of Cyprus.

More than 70 representatives of the business communities of the two countries discussed cooperation in various sectors of the economy, including trade, logistics, agro-industrial complex, IT, and artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the forum, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan noted that Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nikos Christodoulides, during their negotiations, highlighted the potential for developing mutual trade and emphasized their readiness to conclude mutually beneficial agreements. In turn, the dialogue platform allows for establishing direct cooperation between the business communities.

“Under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan is implementing large-scale political reforms aimed at diversifying the economy, stimulating innovation, and promoting a knowledge-based development model. The people of Kazakhstan approved a new Constitution, which lays the foundation for building a strong, dynamic, and competitive state, where investment policy and capital attraction are cornerstones for ensuring sustainable economic growth and technological renewal,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

In his speech, Nikos Christodoulides noted that Cyprus can become an effective gateway for Kazakh companies to the European market, as well as a reliable partner for regional operations and structured investments.

“Cyprus views Kazakhstan as a strategically important partner in Central Asia — a country with growing regional and international significance that plays an increasingly important role in strengthening ties between Europe and Asia and in developing new trade and investment corridors across Eurasia. In the context of the fundamental restructuring of global supply chains and transport routes, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is gaining increasing strategic importance, and Kazakhstan is becoming a key element of this new architecture in the context of connectivity between Asia and Europe. Cyprus’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience and steady growth despite modern challenges. By working together, we can turn this potential into real results, creating new opportunities, stronger economic ties, and long-term prosperity for our peoples and economies,” Nikos Christodoulides noted.

The session moderator, Chairman of Freedom Holding Corp. Timur Turlov, noted that Cyprus is one of the most important partners in providing financial and investment services to companies from Kazakhstan, as well as in supporting various investment projects. According to him, strengthening business ties between the entrepreneurial communities of the two countries opens up additional opportunities for implementing new initiatives and attracting investment.

Investment opportunities and the business ecosystem of Kazakhstan were presented to the forum participants. The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan called on enterprises of both countries to actively cooperate, especially in new areas of mutual interest.

Kazakhstan is interested in attracting investors and highly qualified specialists. To this end, migration policy is being improved, and a special visa regime “Golden Visa” has been introduced. In accordance with the Presidential principle of “Law and Order,” an architecture of interaction with investors and effective support for investment projects at all stages of implementation has been built in the country. The Astana International Financial Centre operates with English common law jurisdiction and unique business conditions, where more than 30 companies from Cyprus are already registered.

The necessary infrastructure base has been created for investors, which allows the development of innovative technologies and the active implementation of AI solutions. The International Artificial Intelligence Center Alem.AI operates in Astana, one of the largest technology platforms in Eurasia — Astana Hub, two powerful supercomputers have been launched, the “Data Center Valley” is under construction, and more.

The Head of the Government of Kazakhstan drew the attention of the forum participants to sectors of the economy where there is great potential for strengthening long-term ties.

In particular, mutually beneficial prospects were named in the transport and logistics sphere. Kazakhstan, located in the heart of Eurasia, is strengthening its role as a regional hub and provides more than 80% of overland cargo transportation between China and Europe. Cyprus plays a significant role given its capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean and its experience in maritime services, shipping, and vessel management.

In the agricultural sector, there is potential for expanding cooperation, taking into account the growing role of food security and sustainable development. Kazakhstan is among the top ten largest grain producers in the world and exports it to more than 70 countries, and is also developing fertilizer production. In turn, Cyprus has strong positions in the production of high-quality agricultural products.

The sphere of digital technologies and innovations will give a serious impetus to cooperation. Kazakhstan, possessing developed digital infrastructure, offers Cypriot companies a practical platform for implementing joint projects in IT, fintech, GovTech, and artificial intelligence.

Cyprus sees significant and mutually beneficial potential for partnership between the countries, which can be turned into real results, strengthen economic ties, and create new opportunities for business and the peoples of the two countries. The launch of the first direct flight with Kazakhstan will create new significant opportunities for closer mutual cooperation in such areas as shipping, maritime services, transport and logistics, fintech, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, innovation, energy, especially renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, and food security.

Following the forum, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides emphasized their readiness to expand business ties and launch new mutually beneficial projects aimed at strengthening trade and economic partnership. For its part, the Government of Kazakhstan is ready to provide all necessary support.

#Olzhas Bektenov #International Cooperation #Investments #Trade and economic cooperation

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