ASTANA – The third Kazakh-British Business Forum held Dec. 12 in Atyrau attracted major players in Kazakhstan’s oil sector.
The forum was dedicated to building partnerships within the oil industry and attracted 80 companies, including KazMunayGas, Shell Kazakhstan, Tengizchevroil and the North Caspian Production Operations Company (NCPOC), a partner in Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan field. The forum was organised by Kazakhstan’s National Agency for Development of Local Content (NADLoС).
Representatives from about 30 British companies and 50 Kazakh companies took part. Chairman of the NADLoС Kairat Bekturgenev headed the Kazakh delegation. Addressing attendees, Bekturgenev spoke about the demand for imported goods in Kazakhstan and the challenges in producing some of those goods within the country.
“We are interested in creating competitive industries with a complete technological and economic value chain,” he said. “British companies participating in today’s event have great opportunities for establishing partnerships with Kazakh companies in the sphere of the production of import-substituting goods that are now purchased by mineral developers abroad. Goods manufactured at joint Kazakh-British enterprises working in the oil and gas and ore mining and smelting engineering sectors will be in demand.”
Deputy Head of the British Embassy in Kazakhstan Greg Quinn spoke about the strong interest of British companies in Kazakhstan. “We had a great response from British companies that expressed interest in meeting with the delegation from Kazakhstan. They are ready to discuss the key issues regarding the development of business cooperation, with an emphasis on introducing new technologies in different sectors of the economy that have great importance for Kazakhstan,” he said.
During the forum, representatives from Tengizchevroil, the NCPOC and Karachaganak Petroleum gave presentations, bilateral talks were held and delegates had an opportunity to meet.
