On the sidelines of Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said's visit to Kazakhstan, a Kazakhstan-Oman business forum was held, at which President of Kazakhstan Qasym-Jomart Toqaev spoke, reports infohub.kz.
According to the Akorda press service, in his address Qasym-Jomart Toqaev emphasized that further development of trade, economic and investment ties between Kazakhstan and Oman requires strengthening the relevant treaty-legal and institutional framework. In this context, the president pointed to the importance of the Agreement on Mutual Protection of Investments, which is intended to provide investors with more predictable, transparent and reliable conditions for implementing projects.
Special attention in the speech was given to developing direct contacts between the business circles of the two countries.
"I am convinced that the creation of a Kazakhstan-Oman Business Council will become a practical platform for active interaction between business representatives," said Qasym-Jomart Toqaev.
The head of state believes that the common goals of Kazakhstan and Oman are supported by effective financial mechanisms.
"We welcome the signing of an agreement to launch a joint investment structure between Samruk-Kazyna JSC and the Oman Investment Authority. This important initiative will make it possible to mobilize financing and attract additional investment. We also see significant potential for cooperation with the recently established Oman International Financial Center. Establishing direct relations between the financial institutions of the two countries opens new opportunities and avenues for mutual investment," the president noted.
Qasym-Jomart Toqaev dwelt in detail on the existing experience of implementing joint projects in key sectors of the economy.
"We are proud of our successful and long-standing partnership in energy and mining, which is already yielding positive results. Combining our capabilities in these vital areas will make it possible to create new joint ventures that ensure the long-term prosperity of both countries," the president proposed.
The speech then noted the significant potential for interaction in the transport and logistics sector.
"We view Oman as an important transit and logistics partner, taking into account its strategic geographical location, developed port infrastructure and access to the markets of the Middle East and Africa. In turn, Kazakhstan possesses significant natural resources, a developed industrial base and occupies a strategic position on emerging transport routes linking Asia and Europe, as well as concrete plans for developing transport connectivity," the head of state emphasized.
Qasym-Jomart Toqaev also called for strengthening cooperation in agriculture and food security.
"My country, which has vast agricultural land, is ready to become a reliable partner in ensuring the long-term food security of the entire Gulf region," the president said.
In conclusion, the head of state called it a key task at this stage to fill the agreements reached at the political level with concrete content and to turn economic contacts into a key pillar of the Kazakhstan-Oman partnership.
"I call on entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan and Oman to make full use of the opportunities of the Business Council to establish partnerships, develop promising projects and expand mutual investment. With the active participation of our business circles, we will be able to take economic relations to a new level," Qasym-Jomart Toqaev summarized.
Recall that the day before, the head of state Qasym-Jomart Toqaev met Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said at the capital's airport.
And today their talks took place, following which the president of Kazakhstan and the sultan of Oman adopted a Joint Statement.