ISLAMABAD : Monitoring Desk – President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev , during his working visit to China met with heads of China’s leading high-tech companies in Shanghai.During a roundtable meeting with representatives of the Chinese business community, H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, expressed his sincere appreciation to Chinese partners and highly praised the everlasting comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China.
“Our bilateral relations have reached an unprecedented level. Together, we have entered a new ‘Golden Thirty Years’ of Kazakhstan-China relations. There are every reason to state that cooperation between our two countries has reached an entirely new qualitative level. Our peoples are united by mutual trust, genuine friendship, and a shared vision for the future. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to my dear friend, H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, for his personal contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between our two countries,” President Tokayev said.
H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: “China has invested more than US$30 billion in Kazakhstan’s economy”
The Head of State noted that the high level of political trust provides a solid foundation for further expanding trade, economic, and investment cooperation.
“Last year, bilateral trade reached a record US$49 billion. China has invested more than US$30 billion in Kazakhstan’s economy. Today, more than 8,500 enterprises with Chinese capital operate successfully in Kazakhstan. Among them are such major companies as CNPC, CITIC, and Huawei. We highly appreciate the significant contribution of Chinese businesses to the modernization of Kazakhstan’s economy.
Over the years, our countries have successfully implemented numerous important joint projects, creating jobs, introducing advanced technologies, and strengthening industrial cooperation. Today, we are jointly implementing new strategic initiatives. Construction has begun on a major gas chemical complex with Sinopec, a deep corn processing plant with Fufeng Group, and a modern cotton-textile cluster with Lihua Group. Chinese automobile manufacturers are also establishing production facilities in Kazakhstan. Vehicles under the HOWO, Yutong, and JAC brands are already being manufactured in our country. Last year, a multi-brand production facility for Changan, Great Wall Motor, and Chery vehicles was launched. These projects clearly demonstrate that our bilateral partnership is driven by innovation, advanced technologies, and industrial modernization,” the President emphasized.
H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlights the symbolic importance of holding the meeting in Shanghai ahead of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference
The President presented Kazakhstan’s digital transformation priorities and outlined key areas for technological cooperation.
According to the President, Kazakhstan views artificial intelligence as one of the key drivers of future economic growth and is creating modern digital infrastructure to attract international investors.
“I would like to place special emphasis on the Data Center Valley project in the city of Ekibastuz. This is a unique strategic initiative for our country. We believe this project will become the backbone of Kazakhstan’s and Central Asia’s digital infrastructure. Its primary objective is to establish an international platform for the development of data centers, cloud services, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Investors will be provided with fully equipped sites and modern infrastructure while benefiting from a special investment regime supported by reliable electricity supply. However, our vision extends far beyond the construction of data centers. We aim to build a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that integrates supercomputing capacity, AI laboratories, research institutions, educational programs, startups, and export-oriented digital services. We are interested in further strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with our Chinese partners,” the Head of State stated.
President calls for the development of digital logistics and advanced transport corridors
“Kazakhstan must become the principal transport and logistics hub connecting China with Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Europe. This is our strategic objective.
Thirteen international transport corridors currently pass through Kazakhstan, while approximately 85 percent of rail freight traffic between China and Europe transits our country. Over the past fifteen years, Kazakhstan has invested more than US$35 billion in developing transport and logistics infrastructure. We are constructing new railway lines and expanding cargo transportation capacity along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor.
In the 21st century, the competitiveness of transport corridors is no longer determined solely by physical infrastructure. Success increasingly depends on the speed of data exchange, the level of digital integration, and logistics transparency. Therefore, Kazakhstan is laying the foundation for a unified digital ecosystem for international freight transportation.
Our flagship project in this area is the Smart Cargo platform – a single digital window integrating customs, logistics, and commercial services into one digital environment. Our ultimate goal is to establish a unified digital transport space across Eurasia. In simple terms, we must create an environment where goods cross borders as quickly and efficiently as data moves through digital networks.
I believe Kazakhstan and China can jointly establish new global standards that will significantly enhance the efficiency of international trade. I invite Chinese technology companies, logistics providers, and infrastructure investors to actively participate in this ambitious initiative,” President Tokayev stressed.
The President also outlined promising areas of cooperation in the development of critical minerals.
He noted that Kazakhstan is among the world’s leading countries in reserves of several strategic minerals and intends to develop high value-added production together with international partners.
H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: “We intend to develop Kazakhstan into Central Asia’s leading agro-industrial hub”
President Tokayev also highlighted opportunities in AgriTech, artificial intelligence, and food security.
“Agriculture worldwide is undergoing a profound transformation. To remain competitive, it is no longer sufficient to rely solely on natural resources. Success increasingly depends on the effective use of data, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies.
Kazakhstan has harvested 27 million tonnes of grain for two consecutive years, a record achievement made possible through the application of advanced technologies and efficient management. We are actively pursuing the digitalization of agriculture, with widespread deployment of drones, satellite crop monitoring, and precision farming technologies.
Today, more than 200 agro-industrial enterprises in Kazakhstan operate as ‘smart farms’, while over 650 additional farms are gradually introducing digital solutions. We are also developing a national digital traceability system that enables full tracking of agricultural products from the field to the consumer.
Our objective is to increase agricultural output while expanding high value-added food processing industries. In this way, we intend to position Kazakhstan as the leading agro-industrial hub in Central Asia. The fastest path to achieving this goal lies in the adoption of artificial intelligence, robotics, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Intelligent quality control systems, automated production lines, and digitally integrated supply chains enhance productivity and ensure compliance with international standards. At the same time, we are developing advanced storage infrastructure, including modern logistics centers, automated warehouses, and refrigerated storage facilities. Fundamental, large-scale transformation is taking place across the sector. We invite Chinese companies to actively participate in implementing these initiatives,” the Head of State concluded.
