Astana (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam gave separate receptions in Astana on May 7 for leaders of the Kusto Group and national investment of fund of Kazakhstan as part of his state visit to the central Asian nation.
At a reception for Chairman of the Coteccons Construction JSC, Kusto Group, Bolat Duisenov, the Party chief highly valued the group’s experience in the fields of construction, real estate, transportation and logistics, consumer goods, as well as its deep understanding of Vietnam’s business environment and national development strategies, while highlighting its contributions to the development of both Vietnam and the Republic of Kazakhstan in recent times.
In the context of deep integration with the global economy, Vietnam is gradually affirming its important role on the international stage, he said, adding that Vietnam has transformed from a labour-exporting country into one that exports knowledge, technology, and modern solutions. In the construction sector, a key pillar of the national economy, many Vietnamese enterprises have expanded to the international market, asserting their competitiveness and spirit of integration. Notably, these enterprises are actively applying advanced technologies, pursuing modern governance models, and enhancing their capacity for international integration, he went on to say.
Emphasising that Vietnam always values Kazakhstan's role in the Central Asian region, the Vietnamese leader noted that investment cooperation between the two countries remains modest and has yet to match their respective strengths and potential. He affirmed Vietnam wishes to strengthen relations with Kazakhstan across all channels of Party, National Assembly, and Government, and to promote investment and trade cooperation commensurate with the recently-established Strategic Partnership, towards the goal of raising bilateral trade to 5 billion USD by 2030.
The Vietnamese leader urged the two countries’ business communities, including the Kusto Group and Coteccons Construction JSC, to leverage their strengths to form and develop value chains and connection between the two nations and to the global market, thereby promoting investment and business cooperation in the time ahead.
Dulsenov, for his part, said the group has nearly 20 years of experience in investment and business operations in Vietnam. With its strengths in construction investment and information technology, the group is eager to invest in sectors that Vietnam needs.
On the occasion, he expressed his hope that the Party and Government of Vietnam would create favorable conditions for the group to participate in investment and share its experience in implementing Vietnam’s key national projects, and expanding cooperation into various sectors of both sides need, thus making a meaningful contribution to Vietnam’s new era of development.
During a meeting with Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna JSC – Kazakhstan’s national investment fund, the Party leader stressed that recent developments, such as the launch of direct flights between the two countries in October 2022 and the visa exemption agreement coming into effect in May 2024, have provided momentum for bilateral tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
General Secretary Lam noted that Vietnam is actively implementing a range of measures to attract foreign investment, including Kazakhstani enterprises. Key priority areas include semiconductors, renewable energy, agriculture, high technologies, the digital economy, digital transformation, innovation, and the development of international financial centres.
He expressed his hope that the fund would leverage its strengths to develop value chains and foster connectivity between the two countries as well as with the global market, thereby boosting bilateral investment and business collaboration in the time to come.
In response, Zhakupov stated that Samruk-Kazyna, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds with a charter capital of approximately 80 billion USD, has extensive experience in oil and gas and mineral resource development and is keen to establish a long-term investment presence in Vietnam.
He added that the fund will send a working delegation to Vietnam to engage with relevant ministries and sectors, with a view to exploring investment opportunities in areas of Vietnamese priority such as high-speed rail, aviation, telecommunications, and mining.
Also on the morning of May 7 (local time), the Vietnamese leader and his high-level delegation visited the Astana International Financial Centre. After receiving a briefing on its scale, functions, and operational model, the delegation toured its key areas, including a green finance centre and financial court./.
