Kazakhstan's investment cooperation with Kuwait and Qatar to continue
The visit of the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tіleuberdi to the States of Kuwait and Qatar came to an end.
During the visit, the Kazakh delegation led by Mukhtar Tіleuberdi met with Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmed Naser Al-Sabah and Minister of Finance, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment - Chairman of the Board of the Sovereign Fund «Kuwait Investment Authority» Abdul-Wahab Al-Rousheid. The two sides discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation and the importance of deepening trade, economic, and investment partnerships.
Following a meeting with Mohammed Al-Shaya, Head of a large Kuwaiti investment holding company «Alshaya Group», the Kuwaiti businessman expressed interest in expanding his company's presence in Kazakhstan. The company plans to expand its chain of «Starbucks» coffee shops and «Mothercare» children's clothes shops in Kazakhstan, as well as to attract famous brands.
Boosting investment cooperation also became a key message during the meetings and talks of the Kazakhstani delegation in the State of Qatar.
Representatives of the Kazakh delegation participated in the XX International Forum in Doha. This year under the dome of the Forum more than 600 delegations from all over the world, including Heads of Governments, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, representatives of international organizations and expert community, as well as politicians and businessmen exchanged their opinions and discussed the topic of transformation for the new era. Geopolitical alliances and international agreements, the financial system and economic development, cyber and food security, as well as sustainable development, and climate change were also discussed.
On the margins of the Forum, the Kazakh Foreign Minister held bilateral talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. The parties noted the intensification of bilateral cooperation over the past few years, discussed the current state and prospects of further development of Kazakh-Qatari cooperation, in particular, the strengthening of trade, economic, and investment cooperation.
As Mukhtar Tіleuberdi stressed, «Qatar is an important political and economic partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab world. An open and trustful dialogue has been established between our countries at the highest political level. We are confident that through joint efforts we will bring our cooperation to a qualitatively new stage of development».
Issues of creation of a joint investment fund and realization of some large investment projects in mining, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, and projects within the framework of the public-private partnership were discussed during meetings with «Qatar Investment Authority» Board Chairman Mansour Al Mahmoud, Qatar Businessmen Association Chairman, «Faisal Holding» CEO Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani and «Power International Holding» Board Chairman Mutaz Al Hayat.
Investment Committee Chairman Ardak Zebeshev together with Meirzhan Yusupov, Chairman of the Board of JSC «NC «KAZAKH INVEST», held several meetings with the heads of other Qatari companies.
In particular, in a meeting with Mubarak Rashid Al Sahouti of «Hassad Food» and Alnubai Al Marri, head of its subsidiary «Widam Food», it was noted that Kazakhstan, with its strategic location, stable political system, and exceptional potential in the agricultural sector, can play the role of a reliable supplier for the Qatari food market.
Through multi-level supply chain planning, support for local production, and strategic international partnerships, «Widam Food» plays an important role in securing meat supplies from around the world.
Current issues of the long-term mutually beneficial partnership between the State of Qatar and Kazakhstan were discussed during talks with Omar Hussain Al-Fardan, CEO of the «Al-Fardan Group». The group includes companies in the fields of products, construction, car manufacturing, hotel business, maritime, and investment.
For the convenience of the business community of Kazakhstan and Qatar, there is a cargo flight, and since November last year there has been a direct flight between Almaty and Doha, departing four times a week.