French companies seek to expand presence in Kazakhstan
Tengrinews.kz - President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Laurent Saint-Martin, citing the Akorda press service.
On the sidelines of the Astana International Forum, Tokayev held talks with Laurent Saint-Martin, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly Bruno Fuchs, and executives from EDF, SUEZ, and Sanofi.
The President noted that France remains one of Kazakhstan’s key trade and investment partners in the European Union. According to him, bilateral trade and French investment in Kazakhstan have steadily grown in recent years, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening economic ties. He emphasized the need to maintain this positive momentum.
Tokayev praised the outcomes of the Kazakh-French business forum held the day before, during which 17 agreements were signed. He stressed the importance of timely implementation of the agreements reached.
The sides discussed cooperation in energy, nuclear industry, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, water resource management, and other sectors. On this occasion, Tokayev also conveyed his greetings to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Laurent Saint-Martin said he was accompanied in Astana by more than 40 representatives of French companies from various industries, all seeking to expand their business cooperation with Kazakhstan.
In 2024, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and France reached $5.5 billion, marking a 31 percent increase. Between 2005 and 2024, France invested a total of $20 billion in Kazakhstan’s economy.
The Astana International Forum is taking place on May 29–30. It serves as a platform for dialogue among governments, international organizations, major companies, and scholars to address global challenges, ranging from the economy and security to the environment and climate. The forum's theme is "Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future."
Earlier, speaking at the opening of the Astana International Forum, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the key challenges of the modern world: the escalation of armed conflicts, growing nuclear tensions, and the disconnect between rapid technological progress and outdated military solutions.