Within the framework of the Kazakhstan-France Business Forum, attended by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of France Emmanuel Macron, roundtable discussions were held with representatives of governmental bodies and business communities from both countries, El.kz cites invest.gov.kz.
The aim of the event was to thoroughly discuss the possibilities of implementing joint investment projects and expanding French business activities in Kazakhstan.
During specialized sessions, participants discussed prospects for cooperation, opportunities, and practical aspects of doing business in Kazakhstan in the fields of healthcare, agro-industry, energy, industry, as well as transportation and logistics.
The first session, titled "Agro-Industrial complex – the basis of regional food security", was moderated by Saule Sabyr, Deputy Director of the Projects Department of JSC "NC" KAZAKH INVEST, and Dr. Marie Agnes, Regional Agricultural Advisor of the Embassy of France. Opening the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerbol Taszhurekov highlighted the significant potential for strengthening relations in the fields of livestock genetics, crop farming, plant and poultry production, and vaccine manufacturing for animals, as well as in greenhouse farming.
French companies, in turn, expressed interest in further collaboration with Kazakhstan in ensuring food security in the region and announced their readiness to expand their activities in the country.
In the session "Healthcare and Global Trends in the Pharmaceutical Industry", First Vice-Minister of Healthcare of Kazakhstan Timur Sultangaziyev and Deputy Director of the Department for European and International Affairs (DAEI) of the Ministry of Health and Prevention of France Jerome Weinbach emphasized mutual interest in healthcare cooperation. The session was moderated by Erhat Iskaliyev, Chairman of the Board of TOO "SK-Pharmacy", and Joanna Lerfel, General Delegate of the French Healthcare Association.
During the roundtable, several leading French medical companies - "C3Medical", "Institut Curie", "University Hospital of Strasbourg", "DMS", "Campus Digital Tech Sanofi", and others - expressed readiness to exchange experiences, technologies, and best practices. Among the agreements reached was the implementation of a pilot project to introduce a modern digital visualization system in selected clinics in Astana (C3Medical), strategic partnership in psychomotor therapy (Higher Institute of Psychomotor Rehabilitation - ISRP), cooperation in teaching medical disciplines, science (Lille University), and more.
In the roundtable "Energy transition: new horizons for the development of industry in Kazakhstan" moderated by Azamat Kozhanov, Managing Director of JSC "NC" KAZAKH INVEST", and Philippe Gautier, CEO of "Medef International", Vice Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Zhandos Nurmagambetov discussed the current state of the energy sector in Kazakhstan and the prospects for project implementation in the country.
Speakers from French companies spoke about their positive experiences working in Kazakhstan, noting the favorable investment climate in the country. The session served as a platform for exchanging experiences, identifying promising areas of cooperation, and supporting innovative initiatives in the energy sector. Participants discussed strategic aspects of energy development, as well as specific steps to improve infrastructure and implement advanced technologies.
In the concluding session of roundtable discussions, "Kazakhstan – transport and logistics hub", Altai Ali, Chairman of the Committee of Transport of the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, Jean-Brice Dumont, Executive Vice-President of Airbus Military Air Systems, and Stéphane Espinasse, President of "Iveco France," highlighted the prospects for Kazakhstan to become a key transport and logistics center in the region. The speakers emphasized that, given the complex geopolitical situation, the development of transport routes is of strategic importance for the global economy. In this regard, the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is a priority for both Kazakhstan and European countries. French companies expressed readiness to support infrastructure development within transportation routes.
Participants of the roundtable discussions were acquainted with the investment climate of Kazakhstan and measures of state support for investors.
The event served as a vivid example of close cooperation between Kazakhstan and France in various sectors of the economy. Representatives of governmental bodies and business communities from both countries exchanged experiences, discussed prospects, and reached a number of important initiatives. Holding such events is an important step towards deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.