Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin held negotiations in Astana. During the talks, it was emphasized that the main task of the governments of both countries is to implement the agreements reached by their heads of state. One such agreement involves increasing bilateral trade volume to $30 billion.
"In 2023, trade turnover grew to over $27 billion. The results for the first 11 months of last year were also quite good—more than $24 billion," Mishustin stated during the meeting.
Bektenov focused on investments, informing that over the past 20 years, Russian investors have contributed more than $25 billion in direct investments into Kazakhstan's economy. Currently, about 23,000 companies with Russian participation operate in Kazakhstan.
The Russian prime minister noted that key transit routes of Eurasia pass through Kazakhstan and Russia, drawing attention to the North-South international corridor.
"In the future, it will become a global transport artery serving the interests of the entire Eurasian region. Kazakhstan will turn into a true crossroads of Eurasia," Mishustin stated.
Additionally, Mishustin spoke about the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. He mentioned that branches of Moscow universities operate in Kazakhstan, while approximately 60,000 Kazakh students are studying in Russia. He also reminded that Russia and Kazakhstan will jointly commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 31, 2025