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More than 150 delegates gathered in Nur-Sultan on Sept. 6 in the frames of the Kazakhstan-Germany business forum to explore the country’s opportunities in the industry, energy, and logistics.
With investments worth nearly $5.3 billion since 2005, Germany is one of key partners for Kazakhstan. The country’s non-resource sector gets nearly 90 percent of the German investments.
Heads of central and local government agencies, national and quasi-state companies, representatives of industry and regional business associations, as well as heads of leading German companies, including Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, SAP, Becker Mining Systems AG, Knauf, and Wilo, attended the forum organized by the Kazakh Embassy in Germany and Kazakh Invest.
According to First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, Kazakhstan has a lot to offer: vast hydrocarbon and mineral reserves remain the backbone of the economy, but the progress toward diversification into other sectors is being made.
Sklyar also mentioned preferences offered to them at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) (tax exemptions extending to 50 years, simplified currency exchanges, and simplified visa and labor regimes) as examples of the aforementioned support for investors.
According to him, they approved a draft of a new concept of Kazakhstan’s investment policy, focusing on increasing the investment attractiveness of the country in the face of increased ESG [environmental, social, and corporate governance] requirements, global energy and technological transition. Measures to optimize and simplify tax regimes, subsidies and other incentives for investors in priority sectors of the economy are included in innovations.
In 2021, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Germany attained $2.2 billion (6.4 percent more than in 2020) and $1.2 billion in goods only in the first half of 2022.
The potential of Kazakhstan to increase exports to Germany for more than 140 commodity items worth around 1 billion euros (US$1 billion) was stressed by Sklyar.
Dominik Schnichels, co-chair of the Kazakhstan-Germany intergovernmental working group said that Kazakhstan and Germany have huge potential to implement joint projects across many areas. He underlined the increased importance of cooperation in the food security, energy freedom and supply chain sectors of the economy despite the post-pandemic crisis and the current geopolitical situation.
According to Schnichels, Kazakhstan has great potential in many areas of the economy important for Germany: these are both non-renewable energy sources and the development of a very relevant direction for the world – production of renewable energy sources and human potential.
The interest of the German delegates in Kazakhstan’s potential to increase the supply of traditional energy resources to Germany and in the production and subsequent export of green energy was shown at the meeting, as well as the importance of Kazakhstan as a trade and investment partner in Central Asia and as a transit country for the transportation of goods from Asia to Europe was stressed.
The data from the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development shows the increase of the volume of transit cargo shipments from Germany through the territory of Kazakhstan by 47 percent to 2,300 tons in the first half of this year.
Kazakhstan’s interest in the development of close ties with Germany in the automotive industry was demonstrated by Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan Kairbek during his meeting with Schnichels.
According to Uskenbaev, 14 projects worth $719.4 million have been implemented creating more than 2,200 jobs as part of the Kazakh-German cooperation in the sphere of industry. A major joint project with CLAAS on the production of agricultural machinery was especially highlighted by him. At least 80 tractors have been produced by the company this year.
They also introduced the principle of individual support and follow-up with every investor. The Prime Minister now also acts as an investment ombudsman of the Council of Foreign Investors, which operates with the participation of the Head of State. Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is Central Asia’s only international financial center with an independent court and an international arbitration center based on English law. They have created special economic and industrial zones in priority sectors of the economy in almost all regions of the country. A center of excellence in medical education and science is situated there, as well as many technology parks for the development of nanotechnology, entrepreneurship and the innovation economy in the country.
According to the First Deputy Prime Minister, the transport framework created by Kazakhstan and its integration into global transport corridors is very important due to international transport links connecting Europe and Asia through Kazakhstan.
R. Sklyar said that it was only about a part of institutional reforms aimed at improving the investment climate and business climate in our country.
The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Germany, together with “NC “KAZAKH INVEST” JSC, with the support of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy and the Representative Office of the German Economy in Central Asia in Almaty, organized the event during the visit of the German delegation, headed by the co-Chairman of the Kazakhstan-Germany Intergovernmental Working Group, and director of foreign economic policy of the Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection of Germany, Dr. Dominik Schnichels to Kazakhstan. The meeting between the German delegation and the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also took place during the visit.
The event was headlined: “Adaptation to the New Rules of Global Business – Common Opportunities in Industry, Energy and Logistics”.

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A delegation of economic and commercial figures from East Azerbaijan Province to Armenia was headed by Governor of the province Abedin Khorram during his second trip to neighboring countries after his visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
He noted that tracking customs and transport issues and the establishment of a joint trading city on the border of the two countries and a joint technology city between Iran and Armenia are among the most important goals of this trip.
According to Khorram, he carried out this trip in accordance with the use of border opportunities and the development of the province’s international relations and on the basis of the powers that the government has.
He underlined the strategic role of the development of relations with neighboring countries and an active presence in regional markets in the policy of the 13th government in the field of diplomacy. Khorram also emphasized on a significant contribution to the implementation of this policy that East Azerbaijan has as the neighbor of several important countries in the region.
They also planned meetings and negotiations with government officials, such as the Minister of Economy, the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Regional Administration and Infrastructure, the Deputy Minister of Economy of this country during this trip.

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Talks between Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev and the head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Charlotte Adriaen were held.
They discussed the current state and prospects for the development of trade, economic, financial and technical cooperation, as well as interaction within the framework of Uzbekistan’s entry into the World Trade Organization at the meeting.
Obtaining the status of a GSP+ beneficiary by Uzbekistan made it possible to increase the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the EU member states by 15% (to $2.4 billion) in the period from January to July 2022. Mutual readiness to maintain and extend these relations was expressed by the parties.
According to the sides, a new impetus to further expand bilateral relations and improve economic development will be given by the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the EU and attracting European investment and experience in such areas as technical regulation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, protection of intellectual property rights, customs regulation and more.
The participants also discussed the course of interaction within the framework of Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO at the meeting. The commitment to continue providing technical and advisory support in this process was expressed by European side.
The new Indicative EU Partnership Program with Uzbekistan for 2021-2024 was discussed by the parties. Supplementary projects and initiatives in the field of modernization of agriculture and water management, economic development with a special focus on digital and green transformations and measures to transform the Aral Sea region into a zone of environmental innovation and technology were proposed.
An agreement to continue cooperation within the framework of the discussed initiatives and organize bilateral events at various levels in the near future was reached by the sides following the meeting.

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Parviz Shahbazov, the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan and Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev, the First Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan (Acting Minister), met together in order to accelerate the processes related to the development of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan energy cooperation.
Ensuring the implementation of agreements on cooperation in the field of energy and the instructions during the visit of the head of state to Uzbekistan in June this year were discussed at the meeting.
According to minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov, it is very important to mutually assess wide opportunities for energy cooperation and to establish joint partnerships in the period of new realities, where the basis for the comprehensive development of relations between the two countries with common historical and cultural values is laid. As the minister noted, the deepening of the strategic partnership in the energy sector was actualized by the historic state visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan. The two relevant ministries of the two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding and the road map of the joint activities on energy in Tashkent. The implementation of results-oriented measures and the development of multi-spectrum energy cooperation will be contributed to by today’s discussions.
According to Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev, there are important tasks ahead in the new stage of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, and Uzbek and Azerbaijani experts have valuable experience in the renewable energy and hydrocarbon sector. The development of the energy sector and the economy in general in both countries will be pushed forward by the traditional friendly relations of the two countries and joint efforts.
The ministers signed a roadmap on expanding of the energy cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan during the meeting. 30 areas are covered by the roadmap, such as the creation of a joint working group, cooperation in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the participation of Uzbek companies in renewable energy projects, as well as joint activities in the hydrocarbon sector. The document announces cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan on export and import of oil and gas and chemical products, oil refining, as well as geological exploration and hydrocarbon production, along with the energy transition and decarbonization. The exchange of the best experiences in the fields of construction of new thermal power plants, heat supply, liberalization of energy markets, efficient use of energy resources, organize joint trainings, as well as promotion of mutual investments, and cooperation between Energy Regulatory Agencies at the expense of private investment are planned.
The implementation of measures on the roadmap is previewed for 2022-2023.

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According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, opportunities for Georgia and Armenia to take steps not only in the direction of the international transport corridor Black Sea-Persian Gulf, but also on other initiatives that provide hubbub are provided by cooperation in a number of structures. It was said in his speech on the occasion of the opening of the Friendship Bridge today.
Pashinyan noted that regional cooperation will be fostered by more active work, implementation of the reached agreements and the involvement of the interested parties and other interested parties.
The need to make additional efforts to facilitate cargo transportation with Georgia was pointed to by the Armenian Prime Minister.
He also emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in the sphere of railway transport and ferry transportation.
According to Pashinyan, a serious transit role for Armenia is played by Georgia.
97% increase is shown by trade and economic relations with Georgia
In spite of current difficult conditions between Georgia and Armenia from the viewpoint of trade and economic relations, 97% increase has been attained. It was mentioned in Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s speech on the occasion of the opening of the Friendship Bridge today.
According to him, strong basis for future cooperation is created by modern infrastructure.
He said that today the development and deepening of relations with brotherly Georgia has all the prerequisites.
Pashinyan noted that this encourages further intensification of Armenia- Georgian relations. The spheres of industry, agriculture, pharmaceutics, communications and communication and transport have serious potential for the development. The counties already have a serious experience of cooperation in the sphere of energy. Such areas as cybersecurity, culture, tourism (for example, through the development of unified tour packages) are also important to develop relations in.
Communications, which allow for integration into the world economy, play the key role for the development of trade and economic relations.

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Exports of goods reached 2290.4 million US dollars in the first six months of the year (1.7 times increase compared to in the same period last year).
The National Bureau of Statistics reports that exports of domestic goods reached 1,705.5 million US dollars (74.5% of total exports), (1.7 times up compared to the same period of 2021). This fact contributed to the increase of the total value of exports by 54.3%.
Romania (29.0%), Ukraine (10.8%), Turkey (9.2%) and Italy (8.5%) imported most of goods. The merchandise is exported the most frequently by road transport (73.1%), followed by maritime transport (16.6%), rail transport (9.6%) and air transport (0.7% ).
During the reported period, merchandise imports totally attained 4347.0 million US dollars (33.1% more than the same period last year). Most of goods were imported from Romania (16.2%), the Russian Federation (15.3%), China (9.4%) and Ukraine (9.1%).

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An increase was noted in the value of foreign trade in agricultural products from the Republic of Moldova to the People’s Republic of China. The conclusion was reached by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea and Ambassador of China to Chisinau Yan Wenbin at yesterday’s meeting.
Strengthening of economic relations between the states, promoting the export of agricultural products to the Chinese market and analyzing administrative and logistical impediments for the delivery of batches of fresh fruits and vegetables were the main topics of the discussion.
According to Yan Wenbin, Chinese markets are kept open for Moldovan agricultural products. Special interest is marked in cherries, sour cherries, grape seeds, nuts, oil, sawdust, apples, wine, cereals etc. Domestic producers should show more initiative to obtain the importer’s license, which is a key moment for accelerating exports. The contribution to the dissemination of Chinese experience regarding technological innovations in the irrigation and soil processing sector will also be made.
In response, Vladimir Bolea underlined the crucial importance of the Chinese market for further exploitation, taking into account Moldovan wine products promotion through the National Vine and Wine Office. According to him, Moldova is grateful to China for the support of the country’s approach to boost exports of agri-food products on this market.
Statistics show that 3.6% of the total Moldovan alcoholic production in 2021 was imported by the People’s Republic of China (about 9.3 billion US dollars). The export of strong alcoholic beverages increased in 2021 by about 60% compared to 2020 (by about 32% in value).

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The trade exchange between the two countries shows constant growth.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, import of beef, milk and dairy products from Serbia has been approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
They informed Serbian Minister of Agriculture Branislav Nedimovic that this country had been placed on the list of approved food exporters to Saudi Arabia, according to the latest decision of the Saudi Food and Drug Administration, at a recent meeting with representatives of this authority.
So, Serbia will export milk and dairy products to Saudi Arabia after more than 40 years. Serbian fruit and vegetables are already exported to Saudi Arabia without restrictions.
Serbian producers consider the access of their food products to this lucrative market to be an excellent opportunity, especially profitable due to record levels reached by food prices.

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The Statistical Committee registered an increase by 11,2% attained by cargo shipments in January-June 2022 compared to the previous year’s same period.
1% growth was shown by rail shipments, 12,9% – by automobile shipments, 5,3% – by air shipments (cargo shipments carried out by airlines of other countries included), 18,4% – by “trunk pipeline” shipments.
All types of vehicles totally shipped 8 million 332,6 thousand tons of cargo.
As for passenger transport, an increase by 40,4% (71,million 030.5 thousand people transported) was attained by passenger transportation by general-use transport vehicles.
An increase by 22,5% was attained by railway passenger transportation, 43,9% – by automobile transport, 75,6% – by air transport (aircraft of other countries included), and 25,4% – by electric transport .
It is important to remember that only the volume of taxi services by legal entities, which fell down by 23,4% compared to the previous year, is shown by the automobile transport passenger indicator.
This increase of cargo and passenger transportation testifies that the sectors are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic effects.

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According to the June export review of the Center for Economic Reforms Analysis and Communication of Azerbaijan, the country boosted its non-oil exports by $295.4 million or 25.4 percent, in January-June of 2022.
In January- June 2022, Azerbaijan’s total exports reached $18.5 billion, including $1.5 billion in the non-oil sector. The increase of fruit and vegetable production achieved 7.1 percent ($328.1 million) compared to the corresponding period of 2021.
The first place was taken by the cotton yarn ($136.9 million in non-oil exports), the second place belonged to tomatoes ($126.9 million) and the third one was occupied by carbamide ($98.7 million).
Among non-oil product exports, Turkey was the first ($428.4 million), Russia was the second ($382 million) and Georgia was the third ($88.2 million).
Exports reached $3.1 billion in June 2022, during the normalization process. Non-oil exports boosted by 5.8 percent and achieved $269.6 million. Food exports grew up by 6.6 percent and attained $119.6 million, while non-food exports showed growth by 5.1 percent ($149.9 million).
Among non-oil product exports in June, Russia took the first place ($118.6 million), Turkey was the second ($38.2 million) and India was the third ($18.2 million). The first item on the list was tomatoes ($35.8 million), then cherries ($34.2 million) and potatoes ($20.2 million).
Data on export orders received by the azexport.az portal was also included in the export review. Consequently, orders totaling $248.4 million were received by the portal from January to June 2022. The azexport.az received orders of total value of $33.4 million in June 2022. For comparison, $3.08 billion in export orders from 145 countries was received by the portal between January 2017 and June 30, 2021.
Total value of non-oil exports through the Single Window Export Support Centre in July of this year was $17.4 million.
The export review is aimed at familiarizing entrepreneurs with export issues, expanding opportunities for exporting local goods to traditional and new markets and accelerating the process of integration into international markets.

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