The governments of Kazakhstan and Qatar have begun joint implementation of investment projects worth $17.6 billion, including gas pipelines, power plants, and factories. Details were discussed by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, during a meeting in Doha. This was reported by the official portal of the Kazakhstan government, Premierminister.kz.
Bektenov and the Qatari Foreign Minister discussed the qualitative and timely implementation of large-scale investment projects in the energy and agriculture sectors. The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan stated that the republic is ready to become a partner in supplying halal and organic agricultural products to the Qatari market. Currently, Kazakhstani enterprises are cooperating with Qatari companies in implementing projects in the agricultural sector.
"Qatar is an important economic partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab world. The agreements reached during the visit of the head of state, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Qatar elevate our investment cooperation to a qualitatively new level. We are on the verge of implementing large-scale and strategically important investment projects totaling an unprecedented $17.6 billion," said Bektenov.
The Qatari side is also interested in further enhancing trade, economic, and investment cooperation. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani noted that they want to explore new directions to expand and deepen interaction. In addition, the parties discussed cooperation in the fields of culture and education, civil aviation, and tourism.
As a result of the negotiations, an agreement was signed between the governments of the two countries to establish a long-term strategic partnership for the development of projects in priority sectors.
During the meeting of the heads of state in Qatar in mid-February 2024, President Tokayev noted Kazakhstan's readiness to increase exports to Qatar by 60 non-commodity items totaling $250 million. He also proposed to increase mutual trade to $500 million in the near future. The President of Kazakhstan believes that in the near future, Qatar will become one of the top ten largest investors in Kazakhstan.
In November, it became known that Kazakhstan intends to sign a military cooperation agreement with Qatar. Under the agreement, the parties planned to cooperate in the field of military medicine, military education, and military science.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 21, 2024