Astana hosted the Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum "China (Jiangsu Province) — Kazakhstan," bringing together representatives of government agencies and business communities from both countries, Qazinform News Agency has learned from the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration.
The dialogue platform marked a crucial step in expanding the strategic partnership between the two countries. During the event, Kazakh Trade Minister Arman Shakkaliyev and Jiangsu Province Party Committee Secretary Xin Changxing discussed prospects for investment cooperation, officially announcing the opening of the Jiangsu Province Center in Central Asia.
Relations between Kazakhstan and China are at an unprecedentedly high level. Thanks to the strategic course of the heads of state, China has remained one of Kazakhstan's largest trading partners for many years. At the end of last year, bilateral trade reached a record $49 billion.
At the same time, Kazakhstan is China's key partner in the region, accounting for nearly 60 percent of China's total trade turnover with Central Asia. "Thanks to the strategic vision of our countries' leaders, cooperation has become an important factor in sustainable economic growth and the development of regional connectivity.
Today, we invite businesses from Jiangsu Province to carry out joint projects in industry, agricultural processing, petrochemicals, and digital technologies. I am sure opening the Jiangsu Center in Astana will be a logical continuation of our joint efforts and a tool for creating new production chains," Minister Shakkaliyev said.
Kazakhstan presented its investment potential and invited companies from Jiangsu Province to implement joint projects, including in renewable energy, e-commerce, and transport and logistics. One of the key outcomes of the forum was a decision to expand logistics cooperation, including a new container project at the Port of Aktau, which will become part of a unified "door-to-border" logistics chain.
The sides also agreed to diversify Kazakh exports, with plans to increase supplies of wheat, meat, and honey to Jiangsu. Special attention was given to Jiangsu Province — one of the world's most powerful industrial centers, accounting for 4 percent of global industrial output.
To date, companies from Jiangsu are implementing 63 investment projects in Kazakhstan, representing 47 percent of the province's total investment in Central Asia. Party Secretary of Jiangsu, Xin Changxing, emphasized that China and Kazakhstan are close friends and reliable partners with a shared destiny, noting their unique strategic partnership and complementary economies.
He said he sees enormous potential for doubling trade figures and intends to develop new growth areas such as artificial intelligence, the green economy, and e-commerce, while providing reliable guarantees for bilateral investment. The Jiangsu Center in Central Asia, located in Astana, will serve as a one-stop service hub for Chinese companies, offering consulting services, exhibitions, and support for Silk Road e-commerce.
Following the forum, the sides confirmed their interest in developing investment cooperation, creating joint production facilities, and expanding trade and economic ties. As reported earlier, the Turkistan region eyed a glass plant and a wind farm in talks with Chinese investors.