President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed that Kazakhstan and Laos pursue the conclusion of relevant intergovernmental and interagency agreements in the field of transport and logistics. This was announced by the press service of the Kazakh President, following Tokayev's expanded talks with the President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, in Astana. According to Tokayev, the country considers Laos an important partner in Southeast Asia and sees significant potential for expanding trade between the two nations.
We see significant potential for expanding supplies of Kazakh products to the Lao market, primarily products of the metallurgical, food, petrochemical, agricultural, chemical, machine-building and pharmaceutical industries,” Tokayev said. Particular attention during the talks was paid to transport and logistics cooperation between the two countries. Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan's transport network and the country's role in developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route connecting China and Europe.
Our country handles about 85% of continental freight transportation between China and Europe. Kazakh terminals operate at the ports of Batumi in Georgia and Lianyungang in China. We have launched a Kazakh logistics hub in Xi'an, China, whose platform can be used by Lao freight carriers,” Tokayev said.
He noted that Kazakhstan sees opportunities to use its transport corridors to facilitate the access of Lao products to the markets of Central Asia and Europe, while Kazakhstan is interested in expanding its own supplies to Southeast Asian markets via Laos. In turn, we highly appreciate Laos' achievements in transforming from a ‘landlocked country’ into a ‘land-linked country’ of Southeast Asia. The Laos-China railway has significantly strengthened the country's transit potential and opened up new opportunities for connecting ASEAN with China and Europe.
I propose that our governments focus on concluding relevant intergovernmental and interagency agreements in the field of transport and logistics,” the Kazakh president said. Tokayev also invited Lao companies to make active use of the opportunities offered by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). It brings together more than 6,300 registered companies from over 90 countries, creating a dynamic business environment.
Through the AIFC platform, $27 billion in investment has been attracted to Kazakhstan. For Lao companies, the AIFC can become an effective tool for entering the Kazakh market and further expanding their presence in Central Asia,” he said. The presidents also discussed prospects for cooperation in culture, humanitarian ties and tourism.
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