The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov, held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit.

The parties discussed issues of cooperation in trade, economic, investment, transport and logistics, energy and agro-industrial sectors.

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan stressed that Kazakhstan is interested in strengthening the strategic partnership with the countries of the organization.

“We have great potential for the development of trade and investment cooperation. Kazakhstan is willing to continue to provide favorable business conditions for all investors. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to invite the business circles of the Council countries to implement joint projects,” said Alikhan Smailov.

The Head of Government noted that Kazakhstan is ready to increase the supply of high-quality flour, oilseeds and other crops to the Persian Gulf countries, as well as to strengthen cooperation in the field of transit, including through the development of the Trans-Caspian international transport route.

At the same time, Alikhan Smailov added that for the further development of interstate relations, it is necessary to work out the issue of expanding the geography of flights, including the opening of direct flights from Kazakhstan to Oman and Bahrain.

In turn, Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf noted that the recent visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Saudi Arabia made a great contribution to strengthening relations with Arab countries.

“The Gulf countries have big plans for investing in Kazakhstan. We consider it necessary to organize joint business forums in order to determine mutually beneficial areas of cooperation. In particular, we are interested in developing partnerships in energy, agriculture and education,” said the Council Secretary General.