Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides met on Tuesday with Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Cypurs Galym Orazbakov, with whom he reviewed the good relations between the two countries and discussed the general consequences of the global financial crisis on the economies of Cyprus and Kazakhstan, as well as various issues concerning the Ministry of Commerce.
According to an official press release, in the sector of trade they examined ways to promote cooperation with an aim to further enhance commercial ties between Cyprus and Kazakhstan, and agreed on the necessity to intensify efforts in order to increase imports and exports.
Pachalides noted the excellent prospects for strengthening economic ties between the two countries and elaborated on the advantages Cyprus offers as a business and services centre.
He also referred to his forthcoming visit to Kazakhstan, expected to take place in September, with an aim to enhance cooperation between Cypriot companies providing services and the respective Kazakh companies.
The visit will include a seminar to present the services provided in Cyprus, as well as meetings between businesspeople of both countries.
Orazbakov assured Paschalides that every effort would be made to arrange meetings with Kazakh businesspeople during the visit and noted that there are already quite a few Cypriot investments in Kazakhstan, as well as 107 joint ventures between businesspeople from the two countries.
Regarding tourism, Orazbakov and Paschalides exchanged views on how to find ways to increase the flow of tourists between Cyprus and Kazakhstan.
Paschalides proposed that the possibility of signing a tourist agreement between the two countries be examined, and assured Orazbakov that all necessary actions would be made to facilitate the validation of passports of Kazakh citizens by the Cypriot authorities.
He also suggested the examination of a direct air link between Cyprus and Kazakhstan, with the possibility of providing incentives to interested companies.
Orazbakov expressed his country’s wish to enhance tourist relations between the two countries and noted he intended to organise a visit of tourist company representatives to Cyprus, with an aim to determine the huge prospects of the island regarding tourism.
