Kazakhstan, UK map out further steps to enhance bilateral cooperation
On Thursday, February 8, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko met with British Ambassador to Kazakhstan Kathy Leach. The parties welcomed the positive development of the Kazakh-British political dialogue, trade and economic relations as well as people-to-people ties, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the press service of the Kazakh MFA.
The diplomats highlighted the importance of strengthening the legal framework and expressed the intention to sign the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom in the nearest future. As Roman Vassilenko noted, concluding the SPCA will contribute to further growth of the Kazakh-British strategic cooperation, paving the way for new favorable conditions for the development of trade and investment links.The parties also expressed satisfaction with the dynamic cooperation in the field of science and education, including in attracting British academic institutions and universities to Kazakhstan.
The sides also discussed the prospects for engagement on issues on the regional and international agenda. The diplomats reiterated mutual interest in expanding cooperation in tackling climate change and water resources management.
The United Kingdom is an important trade partner and one of the biggest investors of Kazakhstan. Bilateral trade turnover in 2023 amounted to $1.18v billion (export - $702.9 million, import - $478.7 million). Since 2005, the gross inflow of direct investment from the UK to Kazakhstan has exceeded $17.1 billion.