World Monitor Magazine, Economy WM_April 2019 web version (2) | Page 74

EUROBAK pages
Audris Barcevicius,
EUROBAK Chairman,
President and CEO, Siemens Central Asia
Dear Reader,
In 2018 the global geopolitical scene has produced more
rhetoric than action and Europe is not an exception: French
government faces the worst political upheaval in 50 years,
slowdown of GDP growth in Germany, UK PM Theresa May
and The Parliament lost their leverage in Brexit negotiations,
millions of immigrants arrived from Africa and the Middle
East impacting political and social landscape of the continent.
The first change of presidency in Kazakhstan in 28 years has
sparked intense debate about possible successor as well as
the early election on the 9th of June 2019. Elbasy Nursultan
Nazarbayev throughout three decades has managed the
balance between The Bear and The Dragon at the same
time establishing multi-vector foreign policy - with the US
as well. So whoever will become the successor of leadership
in Kazakhstan will face increasing pressure from the north
and the east.
EUROBAK, representing major European investors, continues
to promote and nurture mutual understanding between
Kazakhstan and the countries of the European Union in
business, as well as social spheres and create an effective
platform for constructive dialogue between business and
government for improving investment climate in the Republic
of Kazakhstan. And this mission, becomes ever more
important in such a volatile global environment.
Over the past year EUROBAK has organized and held in
excess of 65 high quality events, attracting over 3200
people to engage in constructive dialogue with various
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senior government officials and authorities responsible
for the country’s sustainable development, social policy,
economic growth, investment attraction, lawmaking and
others.
This year we plan to double our efforts in voicing issues
important to the investors and business community. We
will continue to further enhance a constructive dialogue
with the cabinet, including the Prime Minister’s office.
Further liberalisation, decriminalisation and predictability
of the taxation system, rule of law, currency control issues
and the stability of financial and banking markets, sanitary
and phytosanitary issues, agroculture, pharmaceutical,
digitalisation and modernisation – all remain a focus of our
activities.
Cooperation with the diplomatic community in regards to the
above mentioned agenda is also important. The Enhanced
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan
and EU – the heart for such cooperation – provides new
opportunities to the business and investors communities in
growing both directions and requires a sound understanding
of its specifics.
With that perspective, our continuous proactive support for
government initiatives to make Kazakhstan an even more
attractive market is as important as ever before and will lead
to benefit not only for the country, but also for EUROBAK
members.