President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the heads of German companies

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about Kazakhstan’s economic and investment potential at a business dinner organized for representatives of the top German companies. The Head of State stressed that Kazakhstan intends to give a new impetus to cooperation with Germany, which is a key trade and economic partner of our country in the European Union. “As the President of Kazakhstan, I will do my utmost that depends on me that business and investments from Germany come to our country and would feel safe and successfully be developing. We are ready to provide special conditions for German businessmen,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said. In his speech, it was noted that Kazakhstan seeks to raise its standards and bring legislation to the level of the OECD countries, hoping in the future to become a full-fledged member of this organization. The Head of State focused on Kazakhstan’s favorable geographical position and a well-thought-out foreign economic policy, which opens up great opportunities for foreign investors. “We have very good relations with China, Russia and Central Asian countries. We are an important transport hub between East and West. More than 70% of all transcontinental routes pass through Kazakhstan. The international corridor “Western Europe - Western China” makes it possible to reduce the time of transportation of goods. This year it took only 10 days, having broken the speed record of cargo transportation from the Chinese Xi’an to Germany,” President Tokayev noted. According to him, such leading German companies as Volkswagen, Mann, Siemens, Knauf, Bayer, METRO are already actively working in Kazakhstan. There are other examples of successful economic cooperation. In particular, Heidelberg Cement and Linde Group have invested significant sums in Kazakhstan. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged German businessmen to get involved in the implementation of projects in agriculture, high technologies and digitalization, as well as to take part in the activities of the Astana International Financial Centre. The event was attended by heads of more than 20 German companies, including WILO, CLAAS Group, SMS Holding GmbH, Schaeffler AG, Airbus Defence and Space, Linde AG, Mangold Consulting GmbH, Herrenknecht AG, Knorr-Bremse AG, Euler Hermes, Siemens Healthineers, John Deere, Deutsche Bank AG, Tönnies holding, Bauer COMP Holding and others. Representatives of the German business community told about their experience on Kazakhstan’s market, shared their plans and expressed a number of wishes. “For us it was a great honour to speak with you. We are confident that your visit will have a fruitful impact not only on our political contacts, but also on our economic ties. I want to assure that the German business as a whole is a reliable partner of Kazakhstan. I believe that we have good opportunities for future cooperation and growth of German investments in the economy of Kazakhstan,” Oliver Hermes, Head of WILO, Chairman of the German Eastern Business Association said. At the end of the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev again stressed that Kazakhstan is ready to cooperate in the implementation of investment projects with the engagement of German business. “We are interested to help you, positively to solve all issues. Our Government will be paying special attention to the projects discussed here in your presentations and reports. We are very much serious about supporting joint projects that your business carries out in Kazakhstan,” the Head of State stressed.