Kazakhstan plans to use Singapore's experience in building new Astana airportPresident Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries, the presidential press service said.Tokayev noted the dynamic development of bilateral relations, marked by regular political dialogue, growing trade and accelerating Singaporean investment in Kazakhstan. He said several Singaporean companies and funds, including PSA International and Temasek Holdings, are operating successfully in the country."Kazakhstan and Singapore remain each other's largest trading partners in their respective regions — Central and Southeast Asia. The number of companies with Singaporean capital in our country has reached nearly 500 and continues to grow," Tokayev said.Tokayev said a new, modern airport would be built in Astana as part of efforts to develop an aviation hub."We have a strong interest in Singapore's experience in this area. Changi Airport is widely seen as the gold standard of global aviation, known for its efficiency, innovation and service quality. We intend to draw on that experience as we move forward with this project and take our aviation cooperation to the next level," Tokayev said.The president also proposed stepping up cooperation between Kazakhstan and Singapore in artificial intelligence and digitalization."Exactly 35 years ago, in September 1991 — at the dawn of Kazakhstan's independence — your father, Lee Kuan Yew, visited our country. His visit laid a solid foundation for our bilateral relations. We greatly value the far-sighted policies of Singapore's leadership and its impressive transformation into a global hub for finance, trade, innovation and technology. Your country's experience serves as an inspiring example to the entire international community," the president said.Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Tokayev on the successful first Kurultai elections and expressed Singapore's support for Kazakhstan's wide-ranging political reforms."We note the growing interest of Kazakh companies in entering the Singapore market. The legal framework is steadily expanding. I am pleased to note the ratification of the Investment Protection Treaty and the Trade in Services and Investment Agreement," Lee Hsien Loong said.The talks also focused on prospects for deepening ties in the economy, transport, logistics, smart cities, agriculture, critical minerals and tourism. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX