In Astana, at the AIFC site, a Kazakh-Iranian investment round table was held, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and JSC NC KAZAKH INVEST with the support of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kazakhstan. The purpose of the event is to deepen investment and trade relations between countries.

The round table was attended by a delegation of the Iranian business community, representatives of government agencies, national development institutions, industry and regional business associations of the two countries. In total, over 80 participants attended the event.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is an important partner of Kazakhstan in the Middle East. There are a number of intergovernmental agreements between the countries aimed at deepening trade and economic cooperation, encouraging and mutual protection of investments.

Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Iran for 2021 amounted to $440.1 million, for the first half of 2022 – $303.1 million. Since 2005, the volume of direct investments from Iran in the economy of Kazakhstan amounted to about $159 million, most of which was directed to the agricultural and industrial sectors economy. Iranian businessmen commissioned 4 projects; 9 projects worth $122.6 million are at the development and implementation stage.

Opening the round table, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kazakhstan, Majid Samadzadeh Saber, stated the importance of relations between the countries, expressing the hope that this event will lead to the expansion of investment ties, as well as active participation in the implementation of new joint projects. In addition, the Ambassador called the round table a logical continuation of the active rapprochement between the two countries, which began after mutual visits of the Heads of State of Kazakhstan and Iran.

In turn, the Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ardak Zebeshev, said that strengthening good neighborly relations will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the economic development of the two countries, given the large export potential and the launch of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey railway linking the markets of Asia and Europe. He also noted that bilateral relations demonstrate high growth dynamics in all areas. Thus, in the first half of 2022, the volume of Iranian investments in Kazakhstan amounted to 16.5 million US dollars, which is 4.5 times more than the same period last year.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC NC KAZAKH INVEST Zhandos Temirgali in his speech spoke about the investment opportunities of Kazakhstan, government support measures, as well as the activities of the national company. In addition, he noted that in June of this year, together with the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an investment forum was organized in Tehran, as a result of which 12 documents worth more than $230 million were signed. According to him, Kazakhstan is interested in diversifying transport and logistics routes , connecting the country with world markets, including through the territory of Iran.

Also at the round table, presentations were made by the Deputy President of the Iranian National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, Agriculture and the General Director of Didas Company Mohammad Amirzadeh, Deputy General Director of QazTrade CRTP JSC Aibek Sagynayev, Managing Director of Baiterek NMH JSC » Niyaz Koshkimbaev, Deputy General Director of Samruk-Kazyna Invest JSC Erbol Abdrazakov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of KIDF Elzhas Otynshiev.

At the end of the event, bilateral meetings between representatives of the Kazakh side and Iranian colleagues were held. During the meetings, new joint investment projects were discussed.

It is worth noting that a working visit of the Kazakh delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin to the Islamic Republic of Iran is currently taking place, the main goal of which is the development of trade, economic and transit transport cooperation.

source: Kazakh Invest