BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 6. Oman is
looking to expand trade cooperation with Kazakhstan through a
corridor running via Omani ports, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said
said following expanded-format talks with President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev in Astana, according to the presidential press service.
Thanking Tokayev for the hospitality and the talks,
the Sultan noted the steady development of comprehensive
cooperation between the two countries.
"Oman attaches great importance to cooperation with
Kazakhstan. We welcome the momentum that bilateral cooperation has
gained in recent years. Exchanges of high-level visits and the work
of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission have created a solid
foundation that will allow us to reach a more ambitious level of
cooperation," Sultan Haitham said.
According to the Sultan, Oman sees significant
opportunities for growth, investment and cooperation with
Kazakhstan across several sectors, including energy and mining,
agriculture and food security, transport and logistics, financial
services, tourism, and technology and artificial intelligence.
"We welcome the implementation of projects bringing
together our sovereign investment institutions, the private sector
and specialized government structures. Transport connectivity is
another area of significant importance. Kazakhstan occupies a
strategic position along the main global trade corridors connecting
Asia and Europe, while Oman provides direct maritime access to key
markets in the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, Asia and Africa.
Leveraging these complementary advantages opens up significant
opportunities for growth and represents great value for both
countries. We therefore look forward to developing cooperation in
transport and logistics, including the development of a trade
corridor through Omani ports, as well as strengthening air
connectivity between our countries," the Sultan said.
He invited Tokayev to visit Oman at a time convenient
for him.
During the expanded-format talks, Tokayev welcomed the
Sultan to Kazakhstan, noting it was his first visit to Central Asia
as head of state.
"We view Oman as a time-tested and reliable partner of
Kazakhstan in the Arab world. Next year we will proudly mark a
significant milestone — the 35th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between Kazakhstan and Oman," Tokayev said, pointing to a
recent visit to Astana by a high-level Omani delegation led by
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Sayyid Theyazin bin
Haitham Al Said as evidence of deepening synergy between the two
countries.
Tokayev said the two sides would sign a significant
package of bilateral agreements covering energy, transport and
logistics, agriculture, information technology and digitalization,
healthcare and other areas, along with a joint statement outlining
priority areas of partnership.
The Kazakh leader also highlighted progress on a
number of joint projects, including development of the Dunga oil
field, Solidcore Resources' operations in the Pavlodar and North
Kazakhstan regions, a joint investment fund with the Oman
Investment Authority, and the development of hotel and resort
infrastructure.
