Kazakhstan-France discussed economic prospects of two countries in Astana

- City of Astana

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There are 128 enterprises with the participation of French capital in Kazakhstan

On 26^th of April, the Kazakh-French Business Council will be held in Astana. The meeting will be held on the initiative of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Atameken" and Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan.

The co-chairman of the KFBC, the president of the Total Foundation, Yves-Louis Darricarrera represented the French side and the co-chairman of the KFBC N.Altaev, the vice-chairman of the management board of NCE RK "RK", the chairman of the board of directors of JSC "VISOR Capital" A. Karibzhanov represented from the Kazakh side. The business community of the two countries also participated in it.

The Kazakh-French Business Council is an ideal platform for the development of dialogue and for further economic development between countries. The Council was established in 2008, headed by its businessman Aidan Karibzhanov.

"France is a big investor. From 2005 to 2015, France's investments in Kazakhstan amounted to about 11.4 billion dollars. In our country, 128 enterprises with the participation of French capital successfully operate, including Total, Areva, Air Liquide, Danone, Vicat, PSA, Alstom, etc. Traditionally, oil and gas projects arose the biggest interest in France. But the prospects for our economic relations are much broader. There is a great potential that is not disclosed to the end. And this investment in the industry, especially in the agro-industrial complex - food and agricultural production. Kazakhstan is now actively promoting the program for the development of industrial production, attracting strategic investors who can become drivers of development for entire industries. Therefore, there is interest in French companies and technologies", - says Altaev.

"We propose to consider Kazakhstan as a" window "to the market of the People's Republic of China", - Altaev added.

A large business delegation, representatives of the leading companies and economic organizations of the country arrived from France to participate in the Council. In addition, many of them have already worked on joint investment projects.

"Here (at the Business Council) we discuss at the platform topical issues of economic cooperation between countries, looking for ways to address them, discussing prospects and further development", - explains the Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC "VISOR Capital" Aidan Karibzhanov.

The delegates discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation. In particular, French companies were interested in cooperation in the following areas: construction, engineering, oil and gas industry, production of industrial valves and fittings, transport and equipment, integrated digital security, consulting and banking.

It should be added that in recent years France has been ranked 5th in the list of Kazakhstan's trade partners (after Russia, China, the Netherlands and Italy) and 3rd in terms of direct investment in Kazakhstan.

As a result of 2016, mutual trade amounted to 1,137.165 million US dollars, exports amounted to 1.798.14 million US dollars in 2016, imports for the same year amounted to 660.979 thousand US dollars. The main products of Kazakhstani export were oil, metal products, chemical products, agricultural products.

Kazakhstan imports from France electric, electronic and mechanical equipment, consumer goods, medicines and cosmetics, automobiles, food products, building materials.

In addition, participants in the event discussed issues of human resources, localization of production, the upcoming exhibition EXPO-2017, as well as issues of the Customs Union and the WTO.

Here it is worth recalling that from July 16, 2015 to December 31, 2017, the visa-free regime for short-term trips (up to 15 days) of French citizens to Kazakhstan was extended. France became the first of the countries participating in EXPO-2017, the country defined the budget and appointed its General Commissioner of the future French pavilion, which is Mr. P. Loro.