ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United States discussed opportunities to expand trade, investment and industrial cooperation at a business forum in Washington, held ahead of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to the U.S. for the G20 Summit, reported Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Nov. 10.
Kazakhstan and U.S. officials meet in Washington for the Kazakhstan–U.S. Business Forum ahead of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s participation in the G20 Summit in Miami, Florida. Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The forum was organized by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the sidelines of the B20 Summit on Nov. 9. It brought together government officials, national companies, financial institutions and business representatives from both countries, including representatives of more than 100 American enterprises.
The Kazakh delegation included Special Representative of the President Erzhan Kazykhan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Assel Zhanassova, National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov, alongside representatives of government agencies, national companies and financial institutions. Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Discussions focused on transport and logistics, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, manufacturing, digital technologies and finance, including artificial intelligence. Participants also explored opportunities to localize production and introduce advanced technologies to integrate Kazakh businesses into global value chains.
Opening the forum, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau welcomed Kazakhstan’s large business delegation and growing interest from American companies in the country.
“It gives me a real pleasure to be here and to welcome Kazakhstan’s participation in this event. The fact that Kazakhstan is represented by the largest delegation is the sign that Kazakhstan has really arrived at the world stage as a major economic player. I am also delighted to see so many representatives of the American private sector interested in the opportunities Kazakhstan has to offer,” he said.
Kazakhstan’s delegation also presented opportunities for American companies to participate in the country’s infrastructure development and nationwide construction program, which Tokayev outlined in his state-of-the-nation address this October.
Kazakhstan’s Special Representative for negotiations with the U.S. on priority issues of bilateral cooperation Erzhan Kazykhan highlighted the longstanding business ties between the two countries.
“American and Kazakhstan’s companies have built successful partnerships that have lasted for decades, bringing together investment, technology, and generations of skilled professionals. We now have an opportunity to build similarly lasting partnerships across new sectors,” he said.
The forum also included bilateral meetings between members of the Kazakh delegation and representatives of the U.S. administration, Congress and leading financial institutions. The discussions resulted in the signing of several agreements in priority areas of trade and investment cooperation.
