President of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso on August 2 visited Kazakhstan and held talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Noting the growing role of African countries in international politics and the global economy, Tokayev said that the development of cooperation with African countries is one of the key areas of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.
“Today, negotiations were held on issues of agriculture, production, transport, logistics, and the energy sector,” the Kazakh president told a briefing following the talks. “The development of new technologies, joint development of mineral resources and investments were also discussed. We agreed to instruct the governments of the two countries to take specific measures to increase the volume of mutual trade. Kazakhstan has great potential for exporting grain to Congo. Our countries have rich natural resources. There are opportunities for cooperation in the exploration and development of iron, phosphate, bauxite and other rare earth minerals. I emphasized the readiness of Kazakhstani entrepreneurs to develop the mining industry of Congo.”
Concerning the expansion of bilateral contacts in the transport and logistics sphere, Tokayev said: “If Congo is a gateway to the Central African region, then the port of Pointe-Noire serves as a key to it. The seaport has great potential, and Kazakhstan is interested in using the capabilities of this port.”
The president of Congo emphasized that the energy sector is a promising area of cooperation. “The economy of Congo is based on the oil industry. Kazakhstan has extensive experience in this area. In addition, we can work together to develop other types of natural resources. The energy sector of Congo is ready to offer Kazakhstani companies great opportunities,” Denis Sassou Nguesso said.
On the same day, Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas and the Congolese oil company SNPC signed an agreement on cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
The agreement aims to explore opportunities for cooperation in the development of oil and gas fields, technical assistance in the oil industry, construction of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon processing facilities, supply of crude oil, and personnel training.
Photo: akorda.kz
