Japan, following the U.S. containment of China, "covets" Central Asian markets: Kazakh government prime minister meets with delegation from Japan's Economic Federation to discuss expanding investment and technological cooperation
Source: Kazakhstan International News Agency — According to official government website information, on July 9, Prime Minister Olzhas Beketayev met with a delegation from Japan’s Economic Federation, engaging in in-depth discussions on further expanding economic and trade ties and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The delegation was led by Chairman Takeshi Hashimoto of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the implementation status of cooperation agreements reached during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Japan in December of last year. During that visit, the two countries signed 47 bilateral business documents totaling over $3.7 billion in value.
Beketayev pointed out that Japan is one of Kazakhstan’s key economic and trade partners in East Asia. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $1.7 billion.
Currently, there are 68 Japanese-invested enterprises operating in Kazakhstan, including major Japanese corporations such as INPEX (International Petroleum Development Teikoku Holdings), Marubeni Corporation, Sumitomo Group, and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
"Collaborating with Japan holds special significance for us. We not only aim to expand the scale of trade and investment but also seek to advance more joint projects, bringing advanced technologies, modern production models, and long-term competitive advantages into Kazakhstan’s economic development process," Beketayev stated.
Hashimoto said that there is broad potential for deepening cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan across multiple sectors.
"The pace of Kazakhstan’s digital transformation is impressive. We are willing to strengthen collaboration in human capital development, particularly in cultivating high-caliber talent in information technology and digital transformation. The Japanese side believes that both nations have tremendous potential for cooperation in digital infrastructure, logistics system development, and green technology advancement," Hashimoto remarked.
During the talks, both sides also discussed promoting the development of the "Middle Corridor," improving port infrastructure along the Caspian Sea, and enhancing cooperation in transportation logistics, energy, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and industrial sectors.
Kazakhstan expressed its willingness to launch more joint projects with Japanese enterprises in areas such as technology transfer, local production localization, and fostering new growth drivers.
It is worth noting that the Japan Business Federation is one of Japan’s largest business organizations, comprising 1,574 companies, 106 industry associations, and 47 regional economic organizations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870257815366664/
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