Germany is interested in expanding comprehensive economic cooperation with Kazakhstan
BERLIN, January 28, 2020 — During a working visit to Berlin, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi met with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Heiko Maas to compare notes on the implementation of bilateral agreements reached last December during the first official visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Germany. The parties also discussed the schedules of upcoming meetings at both high and the highest levels.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas praised the reforms carried out by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the fields of freedom of peaceful assembly, establishing political parties, abolition of death penalty, etc.
In addition, Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi held a number of bilateral meetings with leaders of the largest companies in Germany and discussed the possibilities of enhancing cooperation and conducting specific projects in waste management, development of the transport and logistics business, digitalization and information technologies.
German businessmen highlighted the practical results of the December visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Germany, the unique conditions of support he offered to German companies and the creation of an ad hoc working group for interaction with German investors chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
On the same day, by the invitation of the German side, the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan spoke as an honored guest at the New Year reception of the German Eastern Business Association (OAOEV). The event was also attended by heads of state bodies of the Federal Republic of Germany, countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, heads of leading German companies and business associations.
In his speech, Minister Tileuberdi thanked the German Eastern Business Association (OAOEV) for its significant contribution to strengthening business relations between business communities of the two countries. “For us, Germany is a key partner in the European Union. Our relations have a high strategic priority. We are glad that Germany values cooperation with Kazakhstan as well. Our country accounts for 86% of Germany's total trade with Central Asia. About 900 German companies operating in Kazakhstan make a serious contribution to modernization and development of our economy,” the Foreign Minister concluded.
The Minister called on German businesspersons to invest in Kazakhstan and announced a number of preferences and preferential treatment that increase the investment attractiveness of the Kazakh market and significantly expand opportunities for mutually beneficial work.
The business community expressed interest in increasing their presence and conducting more investment projects in Kazakhstan, and thanked the leadership of Kazakhstan for special attention to German projects.
During the event, Minister Tileuberdi met with Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany Peter Altmaier, who thanked the leadership of Kazakhstan for special treatment of German businesses, expressed willingness to expand Germany's presence in the Kazakh market and increase investments in our country and the region as a whole. He expressed his preparedness to visit Nur-Sultan to participate in the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference this June.
The visit of the Kazakh Foreign Minister to Berlin confirmed the active development of bilateral cooperation set during the official visit of the Head of State in December 2019.
The German Eastern Business Association (OAOEV) was established in 1952. The main objectives of the organization are providing support to German businesses abroad, ensuring legal security and regulatory requirements, eliminating trade and visa barriers, and creating a common European Economic Space. It unites about 200 different types of enterprises, from startups and family companies to the largest joint-stock companies and TNCs listed in the DAX index.
The organization represents the interests of German businesses in 28 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. According to expert estimates, Central Asia is a region that ranks first in German foreign trade ahead of the United States and China.