Kazakhstan and Slovakia: Strengthening trade and investment cooperation and cooperation in development assistance

BRATISLAVA, September 14, 2021 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Bratislava Roman Vassilenko and the new Director General of the Section for Economic and Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia Lucia Kišš discussed prospects for further strengthening trade and investment cooperation between the two countries at a meeting held today.

The parties noted that, despite the pandemic, the volume of bilateral trade shows positive dynamics and in 2020 increased by 62% compared to 2019 (up to $69 million, according to Kazakhstan statistics), and in the first half of 2021 by another 12% compared to the same period of 2020 (up to $37 million).

The interlocutors noted the interest in joint identification of specific projects and areas of interaction where it is possible to further expand economic cooperation. Among the areas of mutual interest for entrepreneurs of both countries, mechanical engineering, including the defence industry, engineering, IT, waste processing and pharmaceuticals were highlighted. Work in these areas is carried out on an on-going basis, and will be actively and pointedly continued within the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, the next meeting of which is planned in Bratislava in the first quarter of next year. At the same time, about 30 companies with Slovak participation are already working in Kazakhstan, and in the near future this list is expected to expand and get diversified.

Ambassador Vassilenko further noted there is a great potential for the exchange of experience and technologies between our countries in the use of alternative and renewable energy sources and the green economy, and the cooperation under the “Green Bridge” Partnership Program initiated by Kazakhstan may be of interest. In this context, the interlocutors also noted the importance of diligent implementation of the previously concluded memoranda of cooperation in the fields of water and forestry, as well as tourism.

The most important topic of discussion at the meeting was also the development of cooperation in the field of official development assistance (ODA), which is acquiring special relevance in the context of the aggravation of the situation in Afghanistan and its influence on neighbouring states. It was noted that such cooperation will meet both the interests of the two states and the political guidelines of the leadership of Kazakhstan and Slovakia voiced earlier.

At the end of the meeting, held in a warm atmosphere, the parties agreed to continue and strengthen cooperation.