Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, led a high-level delegation to China for a working visit aimed at expanding trade and investment between the two nations. During an investment round table in Shanghai with Chinese business leaders, eight agreements totaling $2.5bn were signed, spanning various industries such as metallurgy, energy, and automotive manufacturing.
This visit builds upon recent discussions between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders agreed to double the nations' bilateral trade volume, aiming to exceed last year’s record of $41bn. The Kazakh delegation included key officials and industry representatives, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s commitment to solidifying ties with China.
Prominent Chinese corporations, including China Huadian Corporation, CHN Energy Investment, and Zijin Mining Group, expressed interest in Kazakhstan as a strategic partner. Discussions highlighted joint projects already underway, such as the development of a soda ash plant with Camc Engineering, a chemical complex with Tianjin Cement Industry Design and Research Institute, and an automotive assembly plant for CHANGAN, HAVAL, and CHERY vehicles, expected to produce 90,000 units annually.
Additionally, a new $150mn investment for the production of Geely, Exeed, and KAIYI passenger cars was signed, creating 1,000 jobs. These initiatives align with Kazakhstan’s industrial goals and are anticipated to enhance the country’s technological capabilities and economic diversification.
Several substantial agreements were finalized, including:
- Gas Meter Assembly: Samruk-Kazyna Invest, QAZAQGAZ AIMAQ, and Goldcard Smart Group committed to an $8mn project for the local assembly of gas meters in Almaty’s Alatau SEZ PIT.
- Coal Industry Equipment: Qarmet and Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group reached a $70mn deal to supply mechanized equipment for Kazakh coal mines.
- Infrastructure and Manufacturing: Xinxing Ductile Iron Pipes will build a $161mn cast iron pipe plant in Kazakhstan to support local infrastructure projects.
- Mining and Metallurgy: China Metallurgical Group Corporation agreed to invest $1bn in mining and metallurgy, boosting Kazakhstan’s mining industry.
- Automotive Assembly and Licensing: Sinotruk International and Saran Machinery signed a $70mn agreement to establish truck and special equipment manufacturing, creating approximately 1,000 jobs.
The Prime Minister emphasized Kazakhstan's readiness to expand economic collaboration, highlighting the potential for further development in areas like transit, industrial cooperation, and digitalization.
As part of the visit, Bektenov toured the “Robot Valley” at Zhangjiang Science City, exploring advanced robotics applications in healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. He also instructed the Ministry of Digital Development to foster collaboration with Chinese robotics firms, aiming to leverage their expertise in Kazakhstan’s growing digital economy.
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