ASTANA (TCA) — On May 16, on the eve of the Astana Economic Forum, the 23rd meeting of the Berlin Eurasian Club was held on the issue “Privatization program in Kazakhstan – Chances for German medium business?”. The organizers of the event were Kazakh Invest national company for investment support and promotion and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Germany.

Participants of the event discussed bilateral economic cooperation, noting that Germany is a strategic partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union, Kazakh Invest reported.

“Today there is a whole pool of opportunities that investors, German investors including, can realize. This is a new investment strategy, a change in the legislation on subsoil, the creation of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) based on English law, etc. I think that such forums are very helpful in bringing together the positions of entrepreneurs from different sectors. At this forum, representatives of the Ministry of Investment and Development, AIFC, Kazakh Invest showed all these innovations in the legislation and existing opportunities,” said Kairat Kelimbetov, the Governor of the Astana International Financial Center.

Representatives of the German side noted the need to intensify investment cooperation, including in the framework of technological development.

“We assess the investment climate in Kazakhstan as very positive. Moreover, this is noted in all international rankings. It is very important that Kazakhstan is guided by the best international practices. We had the first experience when large German companies came to Kazakhstan. Now it is very important to attract the medium German business. It is the leader in many industries, so it will be particularly interesting in terms of technological cooperation. Here Kazakh Invest plays a very important role, namely, presenting information and support for specific investment projects,” said Michael Harms, Managing Director of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy.

The Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Khairov, noted that about 90 percent of investments that came from Germany were directed primarily to the manufacturing sector.

During the forum, Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Invest Marat Birimzhan described in more detail what kind of investment opportunities exist in Kazakhstan and urged German companies to participate in Kazakhstan’s Privatization Program: “Kazakhstan is not only a transit country, but also the country where one can place its production in order to export to nearby countries. Kazakh Invest provides investors with point information on prospective investment projects, as well as on the implementation of the privatization program,” he said.

The Berlin Eurasian Club (BEC) is the first project of this kind in Kazakhstan in Europe aimed at strengthening expert dialogue between European and Asian cultures. The functions of the BEC secretariat are jointly implemented by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Federal Republic of Germany and the Eastern Committee of the German Economy.

DUSHANBE (TCA) — Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, on an official visit to Tajikistan, and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon on May 16 officially inaugurated the assembly production of Belarusian agricultural machinery in the Tajik town of Hisor, BelTA news agency reported.

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TASHKENT (TCA) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoev declared that progress made so far on improving human rights in his country is “irreversible” at the conclusion of a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump on May 16, RFE/RL reported.

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KABUL (TCA) — Afghan government forces have pushed back the Taliban from Farah city, the capital of the western Farah Province, close to the Iranian border, RFE/RL reports.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic has organized a series of seminars on aviation modeling from May 15-22 in the cities of Bishkek, Kant, Osh, and Jalal-Abad. A coach from the United States, Eno Umoh, conducts these seminars to help skills for inventing among young people. Entrance to all events is free, the U.S. Embassy said.

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DUSHANBE (TCA) — Belarus has invited Tajikistan and other countries of the Central Asia region to develop cooperation in agriculture and industry, Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Minister, co-chair of the Belarus-Tajikistan intergovernmental commission Leonid Zayats said at a joint business forum in Dushanbe on 15 May, BelTA news agency reported.

The business forum took place as part of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Tajikistan.

Zayats suggested developing cooperation in the agro-industrial complex, setting up joint food enterprises. “I suggest discussing further cooperation. We have great opportunities in the dairy sector. We are ready to set up joint ventures to process Belarusian milk using Belarusian technologies in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan,” he said.

Belarus is also ready to consider setting up joint companies to process beef, poultry meat and advance to third countries under one brand. “We are also ready to provide assistance in the construction of dairy farms fitted with necessary technical equipment of the Belarusian production, in the delivery of pedigree livestock and in sharing technology to reach the designed capacity,” said Zayats.

Belarus is ready to work with Tajikistan in all areas, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said after his talks with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon on May 15.

Lukashenko said that during the talks the parties noted the good prospects for increasing cooperation in industry and agriculture. The Belarusian leader said that his country’s trade with Tajikistan more than doubled last year and continues to expand. Belarus’ exports to Tajikistan include tractors, special-purpose vehicles, and food products.

Lukashenko thanked Tajik President Rahmon for the organization of the second international business forum Belarus-Tajikistan-Afghanistan and the National Exhibition of Belarus in Dushanbe. He also welcomed business representatives from other countries of the region. “It would be great to see this business forum serve as a basis for the development of robust trade and economic relations with Tajikistan and other countries of the region,” the Belarusian leader said.