In a bid to fortify bilateral ties and bolster economic collaboration, Kanat Sharlapaev, the Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, has embarked on an official working visit to Germany, the Ministry of Industry and Construction reported.
The visit aims to pave the way for enhanced economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Federal Republic of Germany. Sharlapaev's agenda includes a series of meetings with key stakeholders in the German industrial landscape. He is scheduled to meet with Manfred Grundke, a member of the supervisory board of GP Günter Papenburg AG, and Michael Harms, the managing director of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy. Discussions during these meetings will center around fostering investment ties and jointly spearheading industrial projects.
Sharlapaev will also participate in a round table with representatives from member companies of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy. This forum is envisioned as a platform for knowledge exchange and sharing best practices in industrial development. Moreover, bilateral discussions are slated with industry leaders such as Zierbus and Fronius International, with a focus on exploring avenues for collaboration in high-tech sectors and equipment manufacturing.
A pivotal moment of the visit will be the Minister's involvement in a meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group. This session is anticipated to delve into the future trajectory of economic relations between Kazakhstan and Germany, underlining both nations' commitment to deepening their partnership.
Germany and Kazakhstan Relations
Since 1992, Germany and Kazakhstan have maintained bilateral relations, with Germany having an embassy in Astana and a consulate general in Almaty. Regular consultation formats addressing political, economic, and cultural cooperation are in place. A significant milestone in their partnership occurred in 2012 when they established a collaboration focusing on raw materials, industry, and technology.
Kazakhstan holds a paramount position as Germany's primary trading partner in Central Asia. In 2022, bilateral trade amounted to €9.8bn, with Germany importing goods worth €7bn and exporting €2.8bn to Kazakhstan. Approximately 350 German companies are operational in Kazakhstan, facilitated by the presence of Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) in Almaty. Supporting these endeavors is a German business association and chamber of commerce based in Almaty, which aids German companies in their activities across Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Cultural and educational exchanges between the two nations are fostered by institutions such as the Goethe-Institut and the Central Agency for Schools Abroad, which has five seconded teachers in Kazakhstan. Additionally, 15 Kazakh schools are integrated into Germany's global network of Schools: Partners for the Future. Each year, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) sponsors stays in Germany for approximately 90 Kazakh students. A flagship initiative in higher education cooperation is the Kazakh-German University (DKU) in Almaty. Further cementing educational ties, a joint declaration of intent was signed during Federal President Steinmeier's visit in June 2023, aimed at supporting the Kazakh-German Institute of Engineering at Yessenov University in Aktau.
The significant presence of ethnic Germans who have migrated from Kazakhstan to Germany, estimated at around 800,000, alongside the 226,000 members of the German minority still residing in Kazakhstan (according to the 2021 census), serves as a unique bridge between the two countries.
Kazakhstan actively participates in various regional development cooperation projects led by Germany in Central Asia. These initiatives focus on advancing vocational training systems, promoting good governance, fostering sustainable economic development, and enhancing environmental protection, energy efficiency, and disaster prevention. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) maintains offices in both Astana and Almaty to oversee these projects.
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