Kazakhstan views Laos as important partner in Southeast Asia, Tokayev says

During the talks, attended by members of official delegations, the sides discussed prospects for the development of political, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

The Head of State expressed confidence that the first official visit of the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Kazakhstan would give a new impetus to strengthening the bilateral ties.

He highlighted that Kazakhstan views Laos as an important partner in Southeast Asia.

“We advocate further development of trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Laos, considering it as an important basis for further strengthening our relations. We see significant potential for expanding exports of Kazakhstani goods, primarily, metallurgical, food, petrochemical, agricultural, chemical, machine-building and pharmaceutical products to the markets of Laos,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

The Head of State underscored the importance of developing transport and logistics interaction between the two countries, highly praising Laos’ efforts in this sector.

Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan possesses the largest transport network in Central Asia and is actively developing the Trans‑Caspian International Transport Route linking China and Europe. He noted that Kazakhstan accounts for about 85% of continental transportation between China and Europe, with Kazakhstani terminals operating in Georgia’s Batumi port and China’s Lianyungang port. He reminded that Kazakhstan had launched a logistics hub in Xi’an that can be used by Lao freight carriers.

He pointed out that Kazakhstan sees opportunities to use its corridors to deliver Lao products to Central Asia and Europe, adding that the country is interested in expanding its exports to Southeast Asia via Laos. At the same time, he praised Laos’ success in transforming from a “landlocked country” into a “land-linked country” of Southeast Asia, highlighting the Laos-China railway as a major boost to the nation’s transit potential and its role in connecting ASEAN with China and Europe.

In this context, the Kazakh President proposed that the two governments conclude intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements in the field of transport and logistics.

As it was previously reported, President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith arrived in Kazakhstan for an official visit.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the visiting head of state at the Palace of Independence in Astana.