Georgian, Kazakh Leaders Pledge to Boost Economic Ties

Georgia and Kazakhstan are boosting economic relations as more Kazakh investments are planned this year in Georgia, the presidents of the two countries said at a joint news conference after talks in Astana on March 6.

?We have discussed Kazakhstan?s plans to build an oil refinery in Batumi; this is a huge project worth up to USD 1 billion, which is important not only for Georgia?s economy but for the people living in the region [Adjara Autonomous Republic],? Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who arrived in Astana on March 5, said.

He said that trade between the two countries increased two-fold last year ?and it should double again this year.?

According to Kazakh sources, trade turnover between the two countries reached USD 45.7 million in 2006.

President Nazarbayev said at the news conference that Kazakh companies’ investments in Georgia reached USD 300 million in 2006, according to the Kazakh state-run news agency Kazinform.

The agency also reported that a joint communiqu? issued after the meeting of the two presidents notes that it is important to look into the possibilities of the ?increasing competitiveness of the transport corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia with efficient use of the capacities of the ports of Aktau [Kazakhstan], Batumi and Poti [Georgia].?

Nazarbayev said that talks with President Saakashvili were ?frank, as usual.?

?The major points of our cooperation are, of course, the energy and oil sectors; we have discussed all of these issues. As you know, Kazakhstan has joined the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline,? he said.

Nazarbayev also said that along with plans to build oil refinery in Batumi, Kazakhstan is also interested in constructing a grain terminal in Georgia?s Black Sea port of Poti.

Speaking at the government meeting on March 5, which was discussing Kazakhstan?s plans to expand the export capabilities of the country?s agricultural products, Nazarbayev said that the Kazakh state-run KazAgro holding should focus more on emerging markets, including Georgia.

After talks with Saakashvili, the Kazakh President also stressed Georgia?s role as a transit country and said that ?the entire Caucasus region is of special importance for us in terms of paving the way towards Europe and the Mediterranean, and Georgia is our important partner in this regard.?

In his remarks at the joint news conference President Saakashvili stressed that relations between Georgia and Kazakhstan, which are based on mutual respect, ?are a model for the CIS space.?

The Tbilisi Mayor and the Georgian capital’s chief architect are accompanying Saakashvili ?to see how Astana is being built.?

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