THIS WEEK IN KAZAKHSTAN: Kazakhstan names best foreign investors, urges to step up practical cooperation within SCO

During the meeting with the SCO prime ministers, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ensures stability and fights against separatism, extremis and terrorism in the region. But, according to the Kazakh leader, it is high time for the organization to focus on food, ecological and energy security as well. The Astana-hosted meeting brought together a lot of the SCO member countries' dignitaries, namely Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Keqiang, prime ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, SCO Secretary General Dmitry Mezentsev and others. At the meeting, Li Keqiang announced that China is ready to invest $50 million into agricultural projects of the SCO member states. In his words, China is also keen to step up cooperation with its SCO partners in such sectors as healthcare and environment. Summing up results of the meeting, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov stressed it is crucial to intensify practical cooperation within SCO. As for other events, Kazakh Premier Massimov met with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Satlyk Satlykov this week. During the meeting in Astana, the sides touched upon the expansion of bilateral cooperation in transit and transport sphere and deeper interaction in transport and logistical projects between the two countries. The best foreign investors were named at Rixos President Hotel in Astana on Thursday (December 18). Minister for Investments and Development of Kazakhstan Asset Issekeshev revealed the names of companies that made great contribution to the development of industrialization, expansion of investment activity and high technology production in Kazakhstan.

"As you know, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev defines foreign investments as the economic growth engine. This is the underlying concept of the Kazakhstan-2050 Development Strategy," said Minister Issekeshev, addressing investors at the awarding ceremony. It was noted that Kazakhstan's manufacturing industry has attracted $15.9 billion of direct foreign investments since 2010.

Japan's Shimadzu, NYKLine, Germany's HeidelbergCement, MetroCashandCarry, Turkey's GalaksiGroup, Australia's ORICA, and South Korea's POSCO were awarded at the event.