Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan mulled a wide range of issues of mutual interest during a business forum which kicked off in Baku on Wednesday and was organized by Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) with the support of Azerbaijani Ministry of Economic Development.

Speaking at the business forum Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Economic Development Niyazi Safarov said that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations with Kazakhstan.

"There is a sustainable legal base between the two countries and this base is extended year-by-year," he said.

Safarov also mentioned that at present, more than 30 companies with Kazakh capital operate in Azerbaijan and a number of Azerbaijani companies are represented in various sectors of the Kazakh economy.

"There is a great potential for the further development of relations between the two countries and Azerbaijan is interested in expanding ties with Kazakhstan. The business forum is attended by more than 60 companies operating in various sectors of the economy, and I hope that such events will give impetus to the development of cooperation between the two countries," he said.

Safarov also noted that Azerbaijan intends to establish logistics centers in Kazakhstan.

According to him, Azerbaijan has trade relations with more than 130 countries and one of them is Kazakhstan.

The Head of state has ordered to expand economic relations with foreign countries, Safarov said adding that the president instructed to establish logistics centers in foreign countries.

Establishment of such logistics centers in foreign countries, including in Kazakhstan is expected to promote the development of trade-economic relations between the countries, Safarov mentioned.

"Kazakhstan's western region, including Aktau is attractive for Azerbaijan and we are interested in establishment of logistics centers in Kazakhstan," deputy minister said.

Speaking about the existing relations between the two countries and the potential of Aktau city, head of the Kazakh delegation and major of the Aktau city Edil Zhanburshin said Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan occupies a leading position in many spheres in the Commonwealth of Independent States. He added that the two countries are engaged in joint projects, and trade turnover between the two countries increases from year to year.

Zhanburshin noted that if the volume of trade between the two countries in 2011 amounted to $300 million, last year this figure reached $450 million.

However, this figure does not meet the existing potential, Zhanburshin added.

According to him, today there are great opportunities for the expansion of bilateral relations.

Zhanburshin believes that it is possible to provide the participation of Azerbaijani companies in Kazakhstan, in particular in the fields such as energy, commodity security, establishment of logistics centers, ecology, processing of consumer waste, production of fast moving consumer goods and others.

According to him, waste water purification and water supply of regions are among the discussed issues.

"Kazakhstan will introduce its experience in the establishment of special economic zones as an example of special economic zone in Aktau city," Zhanburshin added.

According to him, Kazakhstan is ready to create an important investment climate for Azerbaijani companies and there is a potential for their activity not only in Aktau city but also in the region.

"Currently in Aktau there are 100 Azerbaijani enterprises which are operating jointly with Kazakh side," Zhanburshin mentioned.

The Kazakh delegation includes officials and entrepreneurs working in urban development, water supply, construction, recycling and solid waste, energy security, alternative energy and other sectors.

Kazakh delegation also visited the Sumgayit technology park.