The Head of State Took Part in the Meeting of the Investment Roundtable

The Head of State Took Part in the Meeting of the Investment Roundtable

Geneva, Switzerland

In his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the round table is of key importance for the development of trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and Switzerland. According to him, the Swiss Confederation has been one of the main strategic and investment partners of Kazakhstan for many years.

- The investments of Swiss capital in the economy of our country over the past 15 years have reached 26 billion Swiss francs. In turn, Kazakhstani investments in Switzerland reached 775.2 million Swiss francs. More than 200 Swiss companies are successfully investing and operating in Kazakhstan, including such global giants as Glencore, Sika, Swiss Grow, Stadler and others. For us, this is a positive sign of high confidence in Kazakhstan and the investment approach, which we have worked hard to promote. In June this year, I held a special meeting with Swiss companies that operate in our market. Our commitment to cooperation with you is firm and unshakable, - said the President.

The head of state stressed that Kazakhstan is the largest and one of the fastest growing economies in Central Asia. Over 30 years of independence, over $ 370 billion in foreign direct investment has been attracted. Trade is conducted with 180 countries of the world.

- Our economy has become stronger, more competitive and attractive. Today we are confidently heading towards a clean, innovative and diversified economic model. To this end, we are taking concrete steps, within the framework of which comprehensive support for investors is identified as one of the national priorities. We have introduced the principle of individual support and support for each investor on a turnkey basis. For the most important investment projects, the state guarantees legal and financial stability for up to 25 years, - said Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev.

The President indicated that he personally heads the Council of Foreign Investors, while the Investment Ombudsman works under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

- Kazakhstan has the only in Central Asia International Financial Center "Astana" with an independent court, which operates on the basis of English law. The AIFC has also created an International Arbitration Center, which provides a prompt alternative to litigation. Center members providing financial services are exempt from corporate income tax and VAT until 2066. Simplified requirements for foreign exchange, visas and labor. More than 1000 companies from 59 countries of the world have entered our exchange floor, the Head of State noted.

The President of Kazakhstan told Swiss investors that 37 special economic and industrial zones have been created in the country in priority sectors of the economy.

In recent years, Kazakhstan has created a strong transport and logistics base and ensured the country's integration into global transport corridors. Dozens of international transport routes connecting China, Central Asia, the CIS countries, the Persian Gulf and Europe pass through the territory of our country.


“For thirty years we have made sure that relations between the countries can be considered successful if a constructive dialogue with the participation of business is established. The government can and should provide the basis for such interaction and cooperation. This is achieved through diplomatic and political means, regulatory instruments, incentives, rule of law and practical support. Business can and should do the rest! - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.

During the Investment Roundtable, the Vice-President of the Association of Swiss Enterprises for Foreign Economic Relations Economisuisse Jan Atteslander, Co-Chairs of the Kazakh-Swiss Business Council, Chief Executive Officer of Stadler Rail AG Peter Spuler and Chairman of the Board of JSC "NC" Kazakhstan Temir Zholy "Nurlan Sauranbayev, General Director Switzerland Robert Ichner, Chief Executive Officer of the Ammann Group Hans-Christian Schneider, President of KS Genetics Filippo Lombardi, Head of the Global Copper and Zinc Department of Glencore Nikola Popovich, Chief Executive Officer of Inoks Capital Nabil Abdul-Massich, Development Director of Basel Euro Airport Michael Schwin, founder and president of m3 Groupe Ablah Shatila, CEO of Polymetrix AG Martin Müller, Managing Director of Clariant Global Key Accounts Jarle Schold.

After listening to the speeches of Swiss businessmen, the Head of State thanked them for their contribution to the development of the economy of Kazakhstan and expressed hope for fruitful mutually beneficial cooperation between the business circles of the two countries.

In addition, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev said that Stadler has been identified as a strategic partner of the national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. According to the President, this decision will serve as an additional impetus for practical cooperation between Kazakhstan and Switzerland.

The event was also attended by the heads of companies Roche Holding, Philip Morris International, Caviar House & Prunier, Swiss Choice Holding, Bühler AG, Economisuisse, Swissgrow, etc.

As a result of the roundtable, six commercial agreements worth of $ 301 million and ten non-commercial documents were signed:

1. Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of 10 Eurasia Group service centers between  “NC “Kazakh Invest” JSC and Eurasia Group Ag in the amount of $ 50 million;

2. Agreement on the creation of an agricultural fund between Samruk-Kazyna Invest LLP and Inoks Capital in the amount of $ 50 million;

3. Framework agreement on the localization of innovative drugs for the treatment of socially significant diseases between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Roche Holding for $ 50 million;

4. Agreement on the project for the creation of a livestock complex in the Almaty region in the amount of $ 50 million;

5. License agreement on technology transfer for the project "Construction of a plant for the production of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET)" between “SP Taraz Pet” LLP and the Swiss company Polymetrix AG for the amount of $ 1 million;

6. Agreement on strategic cooperation between "NC "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" JSC and Stadler CIS AG in the amount of $ 100 million.

Source: Official site of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

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