Kazakhstan has the largest economy in Central Asia and is an important strategic partner to the European Union. According to Ratas, Estonian entrepreneurs have expressed a significant interest in the Kazakhstan market, and while trading has somewhat increased in the last years, the overall economic relations are still rather modest.
“Our entrepreneurs see cooperation opportunities in all connected to innovation and e services, as well as the industries of engineering, food, and defence. Another purpose of this visit is to improve Estonian and Kazakhstani cooperation on education and research. Estonian and Kazakh universities welcome curious students and researchers from both countries with open arms,” Ratas noted.
The prime minister will participate in the opening of the Astana Hub, introduce the development and possibilities of the Estonian e-state at the international innovation forum “Digital Bridge”, and hand over the Best Digital Initiative award. He has also scheduled meetings with Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev, prime minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev, chairman of the Senate Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev, and the Estonia-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Group.
On Tuesday, Ratas will visit the 125-year old Petrovka village, which is partially of Estonian origin, and unveil the Alzhir commemorative stone.
Enterprise Estonia has organised the visit for the business delegation who is accompanying the prime minister.
The prime minister will return to Estonia on the evening of 6 November.
