Kazakhstan, Estonia sign $517 mln in deals at business forum
ASTANA. Nov 18 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan and Estonia signed 11 commercial agreements valued at over $517 million during a business forum in Astana on Tuesday, held as part of Estonian President Alar Karis's official visit, the Kazakh president's press service said.
The forum, attended by both Karis and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, focused on expanding trade and economic cooperation between the two nations. Tokayev highlighted several promising sectors for partnership, including transport and logistics, digitalization, agriculture, industry, finance and education.
The president also confirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to providing comprehensive support for Estonian businesses seeking to expand their presence in the Central Asian country.
The partnership also yielded significant industrial and technology transfer agreements.
The partnership includes a strategic cooperation declaration between Kazakhstan's JSC Kazpost and Estonia's Omniva to create a joint venture focused on developing IT solutions and digital postal services for the Central Asian market.
The port of Sillamae and Nord Panels company signed an agreement for investments in creating a production line for construction materials in Estonia. In a separate deal, Alstom Kazakhstan and SLD Consult concluded an automation agreement covering cooperation in implementing locomotive electronics and safety systems.
In the logistics sector, several key agreements were concluded. KazAzot Prime LLP and Estonia's AS SILSTEVE agreed to expand exports of Kazakh fertilizers through the port of Sillamase. Additionally, KTZ Express LLP and AS SILSTEVE signed a logistics agreement to develop multimodal routes and improve transport operations efficiency.
A separate memorandum of understanding establishes a transport corridor for exporting Kazakh grain and oilseeds to European markets via the Port of Tallinn. The agreement between Kazakhstan's Kedentransservice JSC and "Food Corporation JSC with Estonia's Port of Tallinn and Muuga Grain Terminal includes special tariff conditions, discounts on port operations, and an export plan targeting up to 2 million tonnes of grain. Further port cooperation between the ports of Kuryk and Tallinn aims to develop port infrastructure, passenger transport and new logistics routes.
The energy sector saw the signing of a transit agreement between Aktobe Oil Refinery LLP and Estonia's Olerex company, covering cooperation in oil refining and marine fuel trade using Estonian infrastructure.
Urban development agreements included a deal between the Almaty city administration and Aquaphor company to construct a plant for household and industrial water filters in Almaty. A separate mobility agreement between the Almaty akimat and "Bolt" company envisions launching mobile services and developing urban transport infrastructure.
The partnership also extends to agriculture, with the signing of a pedigree livestock breeding agreement between Kayip Ata LLP and the Estonian Cattle Breeders' Association.
