President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a state visit to France on November 4-5.
In Paris, Tokayev held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the development of trade and economic cooperation.
According to Tokayev, last year, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and France amounted to $4.2 billion, and this year this figure was achieved in 9 months. France is the sixth-largest investor in Kazakhstan. French companies, including such giants as Alstom, Total Energies, Air Liquide, Orano, Vicat, Danone, and Lactalis, have invested about $19.5 billion in Kazakhstan. Cooperation is strengthening in the oil and gas, mining, industrial, construction, aviation, mechanical engineering and healthcare sectors.
Tokayev said the parties will pay special attention to the areas of green energy, rare earth metals, climate, water management, innovation, and artificial intelligence.
Following the talks, the presidents of Kazakhstan and France signed a Joint Declaration aimed at strengthening their strategic partnership.
Kazakhstan and France also signed a roadmap for the strategic partnership on critical resources and materials.
Tokayev also attended an investment roundtable. Addressing the captains of French business, the Kazakh president said: “We are pleased to be one of France’s main trade, economic and investment partners in Central Asia. Kazakhstan currently accounts for over 80% of France’s trade with the region. This year, bilateral trade has increased by 45%. French direct investment has also grown by 15%, reaching a record high of almost $900 million.”
Tokayev emphasized that with global demand for critical raw materials set to quadruple by 2040, Kazakhstan can become a reliable supplier for French and European industry. “We currently produce 19 of the 34 critical raw materials vital to the EU economy, including titanium, copper, magnesium, and scandium. Kazakhstan’s subsoil contains rich deposits of rare earth minerals such as lithium, beryllium, and tantalum, which are in demand in all high-tech and environmentally friendly industries,” Tokayev said.
Photo: akorda.kz