ASTANA (TCA) — Kazakhstan is interested in cooperation with China in the spheres of industry and agro-processing, Novosti-Kazakhstan news agency reported citing First Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev.
Kazakhstan has to look to “new markets” to sell its products, Sagintayev told a news conference last Friday.
He spoke about the possibility of transfer of industrial facilities from China to Kazakhstan, as well as construction of new industrial enterprises in Kazakhstan with Chinese investments.
“It is very difficult now to get financing on international markets and Chinese banks are willing to finance projects in Kazakhstan,” he added.
In Sagintayev’s words, Kazakhstan now has new opportunities for cooperation with China in agro processing, as Beijing has lifted some barriers. In the past, grain could be imported to China only in sacks. This year China has abolished that barrier and Kazakhstan can now export wheat to China by trucks and in containers. “For the beginning we have agreed on [exporting] 500 thousand tons [of grain to China], and we have an agreement to increase the amount up to a million tons in the near future,” he said.
The first deputy PM also said that China is currently shifting to organic food consumption and is therefore interested in importing such products from Kazakhstan, including products of cattle breeding, vegetable oil, and confectionery products.
