Tokayev names promising area of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Slovenia

Tengrinews.kz - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Natasa Pirc Musar took part in the Kazakhstan-Slovenia business forum, citing Akorda.
The Head of State noted that over the past 30 years, Kazakhstan and Slovenia have been building strong and equal political and diplomatic ties. According to him, during the negotiations held the previous day, both sides confirmed their mutual commitment to deepening economic cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
Photo by Akorda press service

"Kazakhstan remains the largest and one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. Last year, we recorded economic growth of 4.8 percent, which is 1.5 times higher than the projected global growth rate. Our GDP reached 288 billion dollars. We intend to maintain this high development momentum by implementing large-scale political and economic reforms," the President said, addressing business representatives.

Photo by Akorda press service
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that due to its strategic location, Kazakhstan aims to establish itself as a leading trade and logistics hub in Eurasia.

"Our country can provide direct access to a market of more than 1.5 billion consumers within the Eurasian Economic Union, Central Asia, and China. The volume of cargo transportation through Kazakhstan last year reached a record 514 billion ton-kilometers. Currently, our country accounts for 90 percent of land-based trade between Europe and China. We are actively developing major international transit arteries such as the Middle Corridor and the North-South corridor. Our ports, Aktau and Kuryk, play a crucial role in transit across the Caspian Sea. The volume of goods transported through them reached a record 4.5 million tons last year. To strengthen transport links and expand trade, we aim to exchange experience and deepen our partnership with the Port of Koper (Slovenia’s largest port)," he stated.

Photo by Akorda press service
The President identified industrial and energy cooperation as a promising direction in bilateral relations. According to him, nearly 70 percent of Kazakhstan’s oil is exported to European Union countries. The country’s proven natural gas reserves amount to 3 trillion cubic meters, and with coal reserves of 34 billion tons, Kazakhstan ranks among the world's top ten producers.

"Today, Kazakhstan extracts 19 out of 34 rare-earth elements that are critical to the EU economy and is actively collaborating with leading global companies to unlock the sector’s potential through a pragmatic formula: investments and technology in exchange for raw materials. More and more major international companies are investing in Kazakhstan’s green energy sector, including France’s Total, Italy’s Eni, the UAE’s Masdar, and the German-Swedish Svevind Energy Group. Leading Slovenian companies, such as Iskra and Gorenje, are already successfully operating in our market," he emphasized.

Photo by Akorda press service
The Head of State noted that Kazakhstan prioritizes the development of agriculture, considering it a key tool for addressing global food security challenges. Today, domestic agricultural products are exported to more than 70 countries.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced plans to transform Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial complex into a high-tech sector and invited Slovenian partners to implement joint investment projects.
Photo by Akorda press service
In the President’s view, Kazakhstan’s cooperation with leading Slovenian companies such as Krka and Lek could contribute to increasing domestic production and technological capacity in the pharmaceutical sector.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also invited Slovenia’s dynamic and innovative IT sector to collaborate in scientific research, startups, and technological education.
Photo by Akorda press service
The Head of State paid special attention to financial services and investment relations. He urged Slovenia’s business community to explore the potential of the Astana International Financial Centre and join its ecosystem.
Photo by Akorda press service
Photo by Akorda press service
Earlier, President Tokayev showed the President of Slovenia how the AIFC in Astana works.
What new projects have Kazakhstan and Slovenia agreed on?
It is worth noting that the Slovenian president arrived in Kazakhstan on March 31 for an official visit.
Tokayev and Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar held extended talks with the participation of official delegations from both countries.