ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 6. Kazakhstan is ready to increase the export of its products to Italy for 110 commodity items, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said at a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Astana, Trend reports.
Smailov noted that Italy is one of Kazakhstan's three largest trading partners in the world and ranks first among the EU countries. Thus, bilateral trade grew by almost 55 percent last year, reaching about $15 billion.
"However, we see significant potential for increased trade. We are ready to increase the export of Kazakh products to Italy by 110 commodity items worth over $900 million," he said.
As the Kazakh PM said, Italy is consistently among the top five largest investors from the EU in the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The total inflow of investments over the past 17 years has reached $7.3 billion. At the end of last year, their volume increased by almost 2.5 times and amounted to about $300 million.
"Investment cooperation between our countries is supported by new joint projects. We are interested in the further expansion of this cooperation," Smailov added.
Antonio Tajani, in turn, indicated Italy's readiness to strengthen relations with Kazakhstan in various directions. The priority is trade, energy, and industry.
"We are ready to open joint ventures and launch new Kazakh companies in Italy. We would also like to create a business council that would promote even stronger cooperation between our enterprises," he said.
Tajani added that Italy is interested in increasing its trade presence in Kazakhstan, in particular in the field of clothing production.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani made an official visit to Kazakhstan on September 5.
