UAE, Kazakh officials sign agreements in Abu Dhabi

Trade, investment, energy, mining, infrastructure and food security are among the areas in which the UAE is looking forward to promoting cooperation with Kazakhstan.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Sunday received Nursultan Nazarbayev, the president of Kazakhstan, at Al Mushrif Palace in the capital.  Ryan Carter / Crown Prince’s Court – Abu Dhabi
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ABU DHABI // Agreements on diplomatic missions, visa exemptions and tourism were signed between the UAE and Kazakhstan were signed on Sunday at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev witnessed the signing of the various agreements.

The two countries agreed to allocate land for diplomatic missions, amend an agreement on mutual visa exemptions and establish a consular commission, reported the state news agency, Wam.

Memorandums were also signed on tourism and international transportation, religious affairs, and Expo 2020.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, said the UAE is looking forward to promoting cooperation with Kazakhstan in trade, investment, energy, mining, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture and food security.

He made the comments during a meeting between UAE and Kazakh officials, including its minister of investment and development, Zhenis Kassymbek.

Dr Al Jaber said that Expo 2017 in Astana, the Kazakh capital, and Expo 2020 in Dubai can improve the countries’ relations in energy, trade and foreign direct investment.

About 200 Emirati companies operate in Kazakhstan, and UAE investments there from 2005 to the first quarter of last year reached US$2 billion (Dh7.3bn). Non-oil trade between the countries was $185 million (Dh679.5m) in 2015.

Mr Kassymbek said the meeting reflected Kazakhstan’s determination to forge a partnership empowering the countries to contribute to peace, security and stability in their regions.

UAE airlines operate 15 weekly passenger flights and two weekly cargo flights to and from Kazakhstan.

newsdesk@thenational.ae