The Central Asia – GCC Investment Forum met for the first time in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on 29 May.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
The forum provided opportunities for representatives of Central Asian governments and business sectors and GCC countries to present economic and investment proposals, exchange views on issues concerning bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and discuss the implementation of strategically important projects in various fields.
Delegates also participated in thematic panel sessions focusing on agriculture and food security, mining and metals industry, development and infrastructure, renewable and green energy.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, the Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Renat Bekturov, noted the strategic importance of intensifying cooperation between the public and private sectors of the two regions.
In his remarks, he emphasized the enormous potential of the Gulf market for strengthening trade and economic relations with Kazakhstan, as well as the unlimited prospects for expanding investment partnerships.
With regard to other sectors, Bekturov spoke of the significant opportunities for Central Asian and GCC countries to expand collaboration in green energy, food security, transport and logistics, mining, petrochemicals, agriculture, finance, and tourism.
