Almaty Mayor meets Director-General of Dubai Municipality

Akhmetzhan Yesimov noted dynamically developing relations between Almaty and the United Arab Emirates. Foreign trade turnover in QI 2014 increased by 2.2 times compared to the same period in 2013 and amounted to USD 45.1 million. 22 joint ventures and 79 enterprises with the capital of the UAE are registered in Almaty. "Yesterday, we attended the ceremony of launching direct regular flights between the two cities. This will help to strengthen economic ties and tourism," said Yesimov. He stressed that Almaty is the financial center of the EAEC and the new Silk Road. In addition, Almaty will create a hub of Islamic finance. The city of Almaty is one of the world centers of tourism and sports. This year Almaty was declared the cultural capital of the CIS, in the following year it will be the capital of ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Akhmetzhan Yesimov noted that the development of bilateral relations promoted the introduction of a visa-free regime. According to statistics over 8 months of the current year UAE have been visited by about 50 thousand Kazakhstanis. In turn, Hussain Nasser Lootah expressed interest in partnership between the two cities. "We have a lot in common. Dubai has actively developed within the last 20 years. Major role in the growth of the city's economy played the development of tourism. Almaty has a great potential in this area too," he said. The parties have agreed to conclude cooperation agreement and develop a draft agreement on establishing fraternal relations between the two cities.