Bilateral Relations - The Times Of Central Asia

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Bilateral Relations

Kazakhstan and Slovakia Discuss Strengthening Cooperation

Kazakhstan and Slovakia Discuss Strengthening Cooperation The possibility of strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and Slovakia was discussed during a working visit to Bratislava of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Roman Vassilenko on December 11th. Vassilenko held meetings with colleagues in Slovak ministries, parliament, and representatives of business circles. During political and economic consultations with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Rastislav Chovanec, the parties discussed bilateral relations and the interaction of the two countries in international platforms. Vassilenko and Chovanec emphasised the dynamic, progressive development of Kazakh-Slovak cooperation. The State Secretary said that Kazakhstan is among the top five countries which Slovak business is interested in cooperation with. Particular attention was paid to the preparations for the tenth meeting of the Kazakh-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission on economic and scientific-technical cooperation and a business forum, which are scheduled for the first half of 2024 in Astana. During talks with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia, Vladimir Šimoňák, a positive trend of growth in mutual trade between the two countries was noted, the volume of which increased by 68.5% the first ten months of 2023. Issues of cooperation in energy, transport, machine-building, defense, IT, agriculture and tourism were discussed. Vassilenko proposed expanding the agenda of the upcoming commission in the areas of energy, transcontinental transport and the establishment of new freight routes between Europe and Asia, including the development of the Middle Corridor. In this context, it was proposed that the volume of freight traffic between Kazakhstan and Slovakia be increased. Particular attention was also paid to cooperation in the field of training engineering and technical professions. Currently, over 500 students from Kazakhstan are undergoing technical training and internships at enterprises of the Slovak automotive industry, and the number of students from Kazakhstan studying in Slovak universities continues to grow annually.

Bilateral Relations

Tajikistan Establishes Diplomatic Relations with Botswana

As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic, a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Botswana was signed by the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the UN, Jonibek Hikmat, and the Foreign Minister of the African Republic, Lemogang Kwape. Recently, within the framework of the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in Botswana, the Tajik arts of atlas and adras, as well as the Garden festival, were recognized as part of the intangible cultural heritage of mankind. Tajikistan is actively working to expand its cooperation with promising partners from friendly states.

Bilateral Relations

Chinese Investors to Build Trade and Logistics Complex in Chui Region

Chinese investors are set to build a trade and logistics complex in the Chui region at a total cost of over $700 million. Akylbek Japarov met with a delegation from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for International Cooperation headed by Deputy Chairman Liu Yan. During the meeting, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers proposed the issue of investment by the Chinese side in projects in the field of renewable energy sources. In turn, Yan expressed the Chinese sides readiness to develop further bilateral cooperation in the sphere of investment. Within the framework of the meeting, a signing ceremony was held between the Cabinet of Ministers and OcOO Kyrgyz-Chinese Investment Holding on the implementation of the investment project, Eurasian Trade and Logistics Complex. The complex will include a shopping center, an international exhibition center, a warehouse and logistics center with bonded areas, large equipment marketplaces, and housing and hotel complexes.

Bilateral Relations

Ashgabat Hosts Turkmen-Turkish Business Forum

On December 6th, a Turkmen-Turkish business forum was held in Ashgabat, which was attended by heads and representatives of government and business structures of Turkmenistan and Turkey. The forum participants noted the progressive development of bilateral relations, which in recent years have received new qualitative content and powerful dynamics. At the same time, it was emphasized that business meetings between Turkmen-Turkish partners are an effective mechanism for promoting economic cooperation. In their speeches, the heads of Turkish companies drew attention to the development of the historical Great Silk Road with an extensive railway network, road transport lines, and energy corridors. The Turkmen side told its Turkish partners that a good incentive for fruitful collaboration is the comprehensive reform ongoing in the country, including in the legislative sphere, and the development of new laws that provide significant benefits and government guarantees for the work of foreign business partners. On the sidelines of the business forum, documents were signed between Turkmen and Turkish companies.

Bilateral Relations

Turkmen-U.S. Business Forum Held in Ashgabat

On December 5th, the tenth Turkmen-American business forum was held in Ashgabat, which was attended by the heads and representatives of relevant government and business structures of Turkmenistan and the United States, Turkmenistan’s Government website stated. According to the post, the forum demonstrated the focus of Turkmenistan and the United States on the further progressive development of mutually beneficial cooperation which meets common interests, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said. The US delegation, headed by Executive Director of the Turkmenistan-US Business Council, Eric Stewart, included executives and representatives of well-known companies, including Case New Holland Industrial, Climate Compass LLC, Honeywell, John Deere, Palo Alto Networks, Visa, and Westport Trading Europe Ltd. The participants noted that the foreign policy course implemented by Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, based on the principles of positive neutrality, increases the attractiveness of the Turkmen market for foreign investors. The priority areas of the Turkmen-US partnership include the energy sector, transport and communications, the agro-industrial sector, high technology, and the investment sector. At the same time, approaches to realizing the potential of trade and economic partnership were reviewed and identified, and plans for joint work in key areas were outlined. Special emphasis was placed on intensifying business ties. One of the results of the forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Case New Holland Industrial and Turkmen entrepreneurs.

Bilateral Relations Middle East

Uzbekistan Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company

Uzbekistan Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Following a meeting between the President of Uzbekistan and a delegation of leading UAE enterprises led by Minister of Investment, Muhammad Hassan al-Suwaidi, an agreement on a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) was signed. On December 2nd, President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation of leading UAE companies led by the Minister of Investment and Chief Executive Officer of the ADQ holding, Muhammad Hassan al-Suwaidi. The meeting was held as part of the business program in Dubai, where the UN climate conference (COP28) took place a day earlier. The delegation also included the heads of leading Emirati companies, TAQA, Jasim Hussein Thabet, and Masdar Muhammad Jamil al-Ramahi. The parties discussed issues of supporting and promoting joint projects in trade, economic and investment cooperation. After the meeting, President Mirziyoyev presented the Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, Muhammad Jamil al-Ramahi, with a state award of Uzbekistan - the Order of Dustlik for his personal contribution to the development of Uzbek-Emirati multifaceted relations. Masdar is building several solar photovoltaic power plants in Uzbekistan. In 2023, the company began the construction of three photovoltaic power plants - Nur Jizzakh for 220 MW in the Jizzakh region, Nur Samarkand for 220 MW in the Samarkand region, and Nur Sherabad for 457 MW in the Surkhandarya region. For these projects, it attracted loans of almost $400 million.