ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov attended meetings with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the heads of government of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on April 2 in Baku, highlighting efforts to strengthen trade, economic, and digital cooperation across the region.
Photo credit: gov.kz
During the talks, Bektenov emphasized Kazakhstan’s commitment to expanding collaboration in industry, transport, agriculture, energy, digitalization, and AI. Noting that bilateral trade with OTS countries reached $12.9 billion by the end of 2025, he stressed the importance of leveraging the organization’s full potential to deepen investment and economic ties, reported the Prime Minister’s press service.
Key initiatives discussed included completing the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), launching the regional metrology organization TurkMET, and developing the Turan Special Economic Zone in Turkistan for joint ventures and technology clusters. Transport and transit cooperation were prioritized, with plans to strengthen the Middle Corridor following the opening of the Zangezur Corridor. The Digital Monitoring Center, initiated by Kazakhstan’s President, is expected to give further momentum to the corridor’s development, and a special working group has been proposed to advance these efforts.
Bektenov also highlighted cross-border energy projects, water-efficiency programs, and the creation of a Digital Solutions Center under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.
The meetings concluded with a joint statement reaffirming support for Azerbaijan’s OTS chairmanship and ongoing efforts to promote practical cooperation in key areas.
