Today, the grand opening of the Kazakhstan-Bashkortostan International Forum took place in the capital's Congress Center, which will lay the foundation for strengthening economic and cultural relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Bashkortostan, El.kz reports.
The event brought together high-ranking guests, including the Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Sharlapayev and a high-ranking delegation from Bashkortostan led by President Radiy Khabirov. In addition, the forum was attended by representatives of business circles of both republics.
Kanat Sharlapayev stressed the importance of the forum for the development of business ties between the two republics, expressing confidence that the event will serve as an impetus for a new stage of bilateral relations. He also noted that there is great potential for expanding cooperation. The minister also mentioned the Roadmap for 2023-2024, which provides for the transition of bilateral cooperation to a new level.
"Mutual trade is growing. In 2022, this figure increased by 10% and reached $464 million. At the end of 2023, the growth was more than 5%. Mutually beneficial investment projects are being implemented in woodworking production, the chemical industry and mechanical engineering," the minister stressed.
President of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov stressed that Kazakhstan acts as a key partner for Bashkortostan.
"We have created an infrastructure for very deep and effective business contacts. We have set up a working group on interaction and the development of cooperation. We are strictly implementing the points of the Roadmap aimed at improving both the investment climate and the interaction of enterprises in Kazakhstan and Bashkortostan. There are already direct flights from Ufa to Astana and Almaty, and we intend to increase the number of flights», the Head of Bashkortostan assured.
He also noted that the intergovernmental commission deals not only with foreign economic and trade relations, but also with issues of humanitarian, cultural cooperation, and relations in the field of tourism. We are moving from trade relations to a much higher degree - industrial integration.
Radiy Khabirov expressed an invitation to the Kazakh delegation to take part in the XX anniversary interregional cooperation forum, which will be held in Ufa in 2024.
The Kazakhstan-Bashkortostan Forum covers a variety of topics, including industrialization, innovation, agriculture and the development of small and medium-sized businesses. Particular attention is paid to economic integration and joint projects in the fields of energy, mechanical engineering and the agro-industrial complex.
Within the framework of the forum, panel discussions, meetings of working groups and B2B meetings are planned, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, as well as finding new opportunities for economic development and a beneficial partnership between the two republics.