Almaty Mayor met with Czech Vice Minister of Industry and Trade

Akim of Almaty Akhmetzhan Yessimov has met with Vice Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic Milan Hovorka and Ambassador to Kazakhstan Bedrich Kopecky, the Mayor's press office told Kazinform.

The meeting was held in the framework of Kazakh-Czech Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific, Technological and Industrial Cooperation in Almaty and Ust-Kamenogorsk.

Milan Hovorka expressed gratitude to the Mayor of Almaty and all people of Kazakhstan for the warm welcome and actively participation in cooperation between the two states. He noted that for two decades Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic have maintained political dialogue, strengthened interparliamentary, regional, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The Vice Minister stressed that Almaty is of particular interest, given the prospects of its development and steadily growing investment opportunities.

Yessimov noted that for Almaty as a financial, business, scientific, cultural and tourist center of the country, it is important to develop cooperation with the Czech Republic in many areas, in particular, trade and economic relations, cultural exchange and tourism industry.

In addition, he said that Almaty is the largest commercial and industrial center and has a favorable geopolitical position making it a sort of bridge between Europe and Asia. In addition, Almaty has the largest number of enterprises with Czech capital and representatives of the leading Czech companies.

As a result of 2011 the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic amounted to USD 211.7 million, which is 2.2 percent more than in 2010. Kazakhstan exports to the Czech Republic products of oil and gas industry, chemical industry, in particular, yellow phosphorus, and metals. Imports from the Czech Republic consists of various equipment, components, electrical appliances, pharmaceutical products, furniture, glass, ceramics and other consumer goods.

On 30 September 2011 the volume of direct investment from the Czech Republic to Kazakhstan amounted to USD 157.7 million.

In 2009 the Czech government included Kazakhstan into the list of 12 most promising trade partners.

In April 2007 there was opened the direct flight "Prague - Almaty - Prague" performed by the Czech Airlines three times a week.

JSC "AZIA AVTO" and SKODA Auto launched a conveyor line for assembly of cars SKODA OKTAVIA and PRESIDENT EDITION.