On June 11, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico, who arrived in Kazakhstan on his first official visit. The parties discussed the development of trade and economic cooperation, the Kazakh government’s press service reported.
“Slovakia is a reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with the Slovak Republic. Our countries share much in common in the areas of industrial and agricultural development, highly skilled human capital, and favorable geographical location. All of this forms a solid foundation for further strengthening Kazakh-Slovak relations,” Bektenov emphasized.
“Meetings between heads of state and prime ministers serve as a mobilizing factor for the implementation of projects. We are interested not only in increasing trade turnover but also in establishing joint productions,” Fico said.
Last year, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $140 million. In the first four months of the current year, mutual trade volume increased by 46%.
Kazakhstan expressed interest in deepening cooperation in agriculture through the establishment of joint ventures and the exchange of experience in organic production, as well as in developing efficient transport and logistics routes that ensure sustainable access to international markets.
The prime ministers also participated in the Kazakhstan–Slovakia business forum. Representatives of the business communities of both countries discussed establishing ties in new areas of mutual interest.
Bektenov invited investors and members of the Slovak business community to jointly implement projects. He outlined promising areas for cooperation and the intensification of long-term ties that promote economic growth, such as industry, energy, agriculture, and the defense industry. He emphasized the importance of exchanging experience in water resources management within the framework of Kazakhstan’s ongoing Water Partnership Initiative, which involves the modernization of water infrastructure and introduction of modern irrigation systems.
Photo: primeminister.kz
