Kazakhstan will receive between 250 and 600 square meters of space in the China-SCO Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Pilot Zone in Qingdao, Shandong Province, under a recent agreement. This allocation will be provided at no cost and aims to strengthen trade and investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and China.
The agreement emerged during a working visit by Arman Shakkaliyev, Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration, who met with Zhou Naixiang, Governor of Shandong Province, to discuss advancing bilateral trade and investment.
Shandong, one of China’s most economically dynamic provinces, has a population exceeding 100mn and a diversified economy with strong sectors in automotive, electronics, petrochemicals, metallurgy, and agriculture.
“Kazakhstan is our friendly neighbor,” stated Governor Zhou Naixiang. “In the first quarter of this year alone, exports from Kazakhstan to Shandong reached CNY 8bn ($139mn), and 45 companies from our province have invested in Kazakhstan's economy. I am confident this visit will invigorate our partnership.”
Minister Shakkaliyev expressed gratitude for the hospitality and noted China’s importance as Kazakhstan's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $41bn. Kazakhstan and China have a shared goal to increase this trade volume to $80bn.
“Shandong is a region of significant interest for us due to its dynamic growth,” Shakkaliyev remarked.
During the visit, the Kazakh delegation visited prominent Shandong companies, including Shandong Hi-Speed Group, Shandong Energy Group, G-WEIKE, Lingong Heavy Machinery, and Tsingtao. They explored potential collaborations in sectors like mining, logistics, and manufacturing.
Agriculture and export potential were prominent topics of discussion. Talks with Tsingtao Beer Group included a proposal to revive the Semey brewery in Kazakhstan, which could serve as a springboard for expanding Kazakh products across Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Shandong's robust transportation infrastructure, including the key ports of Qingdao and Yantai, supports the province’s role in international trade and provides Kazakhstan with strategic connectivity. Additionally, during a meeting with Yu Haitian, the mayor of Jinan, discussions covered the high-speed rail route and explored opportunities for cooperation in industrial development, green energy, and cultural exchanges.
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