Mutual intention to strengthen economic, scientific and technical cooperation between Kazakhstan and Slovakia
BRATISLAVA, August 19, 2020 – Mutual interest in cooperation between Kazakhstan and Slovakia in trade, economic, scientific, technical, energy and environmental spheres today became the main topic of the conversation between Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Slovakia Roman Vassilenko and Karol Galek, the newly appointed State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic and co-chairman of the Slovak part of the Kazakh-Slovak intergovernmental commission (IGC).
Having noted the growth in mutual trade observed since the beginning of this year (during the first half of 2020, the volume of trade turnover amounted to 34.75 million US dollars, which is 54.3% more than in the same period last year), the interlocutors agreed it was necessary to find new niches in economic interaction and achieve the full unveiling of the existing potential.
The parties agreed to continue active and targeted joint work to identify specific projects and areas of interaction in which economic and investment cooperation can be expanded. Among the promising areas of cooperation, mechanical engineering was noted, including the automotive industry, as well as the defense industry, engineering, energy with an emphasis on renewable energy sources, IT, pharmaceuticals and tourism.
The Kazakh diplomat gave a brief outline of the activities of the Astana International Financial Center, the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects and the International Technopark of IT startups created in Nur-Sultan, noting they could become effective platforms for deepening and diversifying interaction.
He further noted Kazakhstan’s interest in studying the experience and technologies of Slovakia in the field of hydrology, forestry management and landscaping, alternative and renewable energy sources and the green economy. The latter is especially important in the context of Kazakhstan's transition to green economy, the greening and modernization of the Kazakh energy and heating system. Today, the share of renewable energy sources in the energy sector of Slovakia is 14%, and in the future it is planned to increase it through the development of hydro, solar and wind energy.
During the meeting, Roman Vassilenko and Karol Galek also positively assessed the progress in the drafting by the government bodies of the two countries and preparations for the signing in the near future of a number of bilateral agreements and memorandums of cooperation in a wide range of areas.
At the end of the meeting held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the parties agreed to continue close cooperation on the high-quality implementation of existing agreements and preparation for the next meeting of the IGC, which is planned for 2021 in Bratislava.