China-Kazakhstan Business and Trade Meeting Held in Astana

On February 11, the China-Kazakhstan Business and Trade Meeting was held in Astana. The event was attended by Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), who led a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs and delivered a keynote speech. Other distinguished attendees included Abylai Battalov, Chairman of Kazakhstan's Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Han Chunlin, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and Wang Guoquan, Vice President of CITIC Group and Representative of the Chinese Chair of the China-Kazakhstan Entrepreneurs Committee. Over 200 representatives from Chinese and Kazakhstani business circles participated in the meeting.

Ren Hongbin emphasized that organizing this Chinese business delegation to Kazakhstan is a practical step toward implementing the key consensus reached by the heads of state of both nations. It is also a concrete measure to advance business collaboration between the two countries. As China pursues high-quality development and continues to expand high-level opening-up, CCPIT is committed to working with Kazakhstan to promote the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This includes jointly preparing for the China-Central Asia Entrepreneurs Committee Meeting in Kazakhstan and the SCO Business Forum in China, among other events. These initiatives aim to deepen trade, investment, and supply chain cooperation, address global economic uncertainties, and further strengthen the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

Abylai Battalov reaffirmed that Kazakhstan is a reliable partner and key participant in the Belt and Road Initiative. He stated that Atameken is committed to creating a favorable business environment for foreign investors, including Chinese enterprises. He also highlighted the success of Kazakhstan's participation in the Second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) and expressed Kazakhstan's willingness to actively engage in the Third CISCE. Atameken aims to work closely with CCPIT to expand platforms for business collaboration between the two countries.

Han Chunlin noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 33 years ago, China-Kazakhstan ties have achieved remarkable growth, reaching their highest level as a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and setting an example of friendly cooperation in the region. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has accelerated, with China maintaining its position as Kazakhstan's largest trading partner and a major source of investment. Moving forward, China and Kazakhstan will continue to:

- Expand cooperation in traditional sectors such as energy and mineral resources.

- Explore new growth areas in renewable energy and agricultural trade.

- Develop emerging business models such as cross-border e-commerce and the digital economy.

- Promote the growth of service trade.

Han also emphasized China's commitment to achieving the trade volume doubling target set by the two heads of state as soon as possible.

Wang Guoquan stated that as the Chinese chair of the China-Kazakhstan Entrepreneurs Committee, CITIC Group will:

- Further expand cooperation in traditional sectors such as energy, mining, and infrastructure.

- Strengthen collaboration in key emerging industries, including agriculture, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and the green economy.

- Enhance financial services to facilitate the high-quality development of China-Kazakhstan trade.

- Foster an open and shared business ecosystem, supporting key events such as the 8th China-Kazakhstan Entrepreneurs Committee Meeting.

The business and trade meeting, co-hosted by CCPIT and Atameken, was themed "Expanding China-Kazakhstan Trade and Industrial Cooperation." During the event, business representatives from both countries engaged in in-depth discussions on key sectors, including oil and gas trade, clean energy, agriculture, and international logistics. Notably, Chinese and Kazakhstani enterprises signed eight cooperation agreements, including:

- The China-Kazakhstan Energy Strategic Cooperation Agreement.

- The China-Kazakhstan Agricultural Product Import and Export Agreement.

This event marks another step forward in strengthening China-Kazakhstan economic ties, paving the way for greater trade and investment opportunities in the years ahead.