President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his first official visit to Kazakhstan, where both officials expressed strong interest to boost cooperation, The Astana Times reported.
“I’m here to underscore that the strong partnership, and in particular the enhanced strategic partnership between the United States and Kazakhstan, is moving forward strongly,” Blinken said.
The U.S., according to Blinken, is eager to see the additional tangible steps Kazakhstan will take to implement new reforms. He also noted that these reforms are a key factor in the influx of foreign investors, including Americans, to Kazakhstan. He pointed out that, since 1991, more than $50 billion has been invested in the Kazakh economy by American companies, who were among the first to do so.
“Mutual trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the United States exceeded 3 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, and this figure is 37.2 percent higher compared to the results of the previous year. Export is growing because the U.S. is one of the largest investors in Kazakhstan’s economy since 1993. The total inflow of foreign direct investments from the U.S. to Kazakhstan exceeded 62 billion U.S. dollars, and in the first three quarters of 2022, the volume of American investments increased by 58.8 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2021. About 590 enterprises with the participation of the American capital function are present in Kazakhstan, and more U.S. companies are showing they’re interested in the Kazakh market,” the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi said at a joint press conference with Blinken.
Tileuberdi emphasized that the collaboration between Kazakhstan and the United States is progressing within the framework of an elevated strategic partnership, as evidenced by the revival of political discussions, as well as trade, economic, and investment cooperation.
Furthermore, the parties discussed the economic aftermath of the sanctions imposed on Russia, which impacted the economies of Central Asia, specifically Kazakhstan. Blinken affirmed that the United States is aware of the spillover effects and is taking all necessary measures to alleviate them and establish fresh opportunities for partners in Central Asia.
“We set up the Economic Resilience Initiative for Central Asia – $25 million to expand regional trade routes, establish new export markets, attract and leverage greater private sector investment, providing people with practical skills for the modern job market. Today, I’m announcing an additional $25 million for that initiative, a total of $50 million to build up the regional economy,” Blinken said as cited by The Astana Times.
