Invest to kazakhstan
practical results are expected
from signing the new agreement
in the field of trade and economic
cooperation?
It is important to note that the
European Union is the largest trade,
economic and investment partner
of Kazakhstan. The trade turnover
between Kazakhstan and the EU in
2016 exceeded 21 billion USD and
amounted to almost 40% of the total
commodity turnover of our country.
Almost 50% of all investments in the
economy of our country over the past
11 years came from the European
Union countries.
In turn, Kazakhstan is among the 30
largest trading partners of the EU,
ranking 26th in terms of total EU
trade (15th place in terms of imports,
39th in exports).
These statistics reflect the existing
prerequisites for consistent work
in deepening cooperation with the
European Union.
Today, the traditionally successful
practice of mutually beneficial
cooperation in such areas as
engineering, subsoil use, oil refining,
energy efficiency, the development of
transport and logistics infrastructure,
pharmaceuticals, the purchase of
technologies, etc. has developed.
In simple words: Kazakhstan
supplies resources to the EU
countries, and in exchange gets new
production technologies, innovative
developments, and know-how.
Thus, Kazakhstan's relations with
the EU are of a strategic nature and
have great prospects for further
progressive development. That is
why the signing and ratification
of the Enhanced Partnership and
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world monitor
Thanks to the
policy pursued
by the Head of
State, more than
243 billion USD
of direct foreign
investments
were attracted to
the economy of
Kazakhstan over
the past 11 years
Investments come in all sectors of
‘processing’ – in the pharmaceutical
industry (an increase of 8 times),
machine building (an increase of
6 times), metallurgy (increase by
86%), production of wood and paper
products (increase of 74%), etc.
All this is achieved due to a large-
scale industrialization program, the
main task of which is to develop the
manufacturing sector and promote
the export of Kazakhstani goods to
foreign markets.
The EPCA opens up new opportunities
for intensifying cooperation in all
areas: trade, investment, business
development, transport and logistics,
and much more. Speaking about cooperation with
individual countries, I would like
to note that relationships with all
countries are developing dynamically.
At this stage, the largest volume of
foreign direct investment comes from
the Netherlands (7.7 billion USD),
Switzerland (2.6 billion USD), France
(1.1 billion USD), Belgium (710.6
million USD), Great Britain (684.8
million USD), and Germany (249.8
million USD).
What industries are attractive for
European investment? We wonder
which of the 28 EU countries
are most active in investing in
Kazakhstan.
For all investors, including those
from the European Union, one of
the main attractive areas is the
commodity sector of Kazakhstan. In
2016, the mining sector attracted 7.1
billion USD (34% share) of FDI and,
compared to 2015, the volume of
investments has doubled. It should be noted that over 90%
of all German investments in
Kazakhstan go to the non-oil & gas
sector. We are actively building up
cooperation in implementation of
German experience in energy saving
and energy efficiency. Currently,
projects are being implemented
within the framework of the raw
material and technology partnership.
Thus, there is already a substantial
platform for increasing economic
interaction.
The largest increase in foreign
investment inflow in 2016 as
compared to 2015 is observed in such
areas as information technologies -
10 times, electricity supply - 6 times,
construction - 85%, trade - 51%,
manufacturing - 48%. We are interested in high skills and
expertise, know-how, innovations,
as well as in good training practices
and cultivation of local suppliers,
which will also give a strong impetus
to the development of small and
medium-sized businesses.
Cooperation Agreement is a very
logical and expected event.