KAZAKHSTAN AND JAPAN STRENGTHEN THEIR ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Astana, October 22: The 10th Joint Session of the Kazakhstan-Japan and Japan-Kazakhstan Committees for Economic Cooperation was held in Astana on October 22, 2009.

The Kazakhstani side was headed by the Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Asset Magauov and the Japanese side delagation was chaired by the Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroyuki Ishige.

The agenda included discussion of the prospects for cooperation in energy, industry, trade, finance, investment and technologies.

“Japan is one of the most active and perspective economic partners of Kazakhstan in Asia”, said Kazakhstan Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Asset Magauov at the opening of the Joint Meeting. He underlined the positive dynamic of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between two countries.

Vice Minister Asset Magauov said that Kazakhstan President's visit to Japan in June 2008 gave a strong impulse to investment and technological cooperation between two countries, after which delegations of many Japanese transnational corporations visited Kazakhstan to determine opportunities of participation in the country's investment projects. He also emphasized that Kazakhstan's macroeconomic situation would remain stable and favorable for realization of business initiatives.

Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Hiroyuki Ishige during his visit to Kazakhstan met with the State Secretary – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev. He also held a number of bilateral meetings in the ministries and development institutions of Kazakhstan. He said that there is a good ground for development of trade and investment opportunities between Kazakhstan and Japan.