BENELUX COUNTRIES EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR KAZAKHSTAN'S MEDICAL AND PHARMA INDUSTRY

On June 5, the first meeting of the Belgium-Kazakhstan Business Council in Kazakhstan was held in the capital, the creation of which was one of the instructions of the Head of State after his last state visit to the Kingdom of Belgium. This important event was organized by the BeniLux Chamber of Commerce in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan.

Belgium is a major political and trade partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union and an important source of investment and new technologies.

The Kazakh-Belgian Business Council will serve as a platform for regular meetings between representatives of the business community of Kazakhstan and Belgium, where common interests will be discussed and proposals will be developed to strengthen constructive interaction with the government bodies of both countries.

Representatives of the official and business circles of Kazakhstan and Belgium became participants in the historic event. Among them: Ambassador of Belgium to the Republic of Kazakhstan Henri Vantigem, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Belgium Margulan Baimukhan, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Foreign Trade of Kazakhstan Ayan Yerenov, President of the Chamber of BeniLux Denis Van den Weich, Director for the Greater Europe Region, AWEX (Walloon Agency for Export and investments) Yves Richard, representatives of the Belgian business "OTN systems", "Puratos" including those working in the pharmaceutical field and the production of medical equipment - the company "Janssen".

The Kazakh side was represented by Kanat Sharlapayev, Chairman of Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC, Saken Abilmazhinov, General Director of Samruk-Kazyna Invest JSC, Erkhat Iskaliyev, Head of the SK-Pharmacy Single Distributor, as well as representatives of Kazakh Invest NC JSC and the International Financial center "Astana".

After the grand opening, representatives of AWEX (Walloon Export and Investment Agency), Baiterek National Management Holding JSC and National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna JSC made presentations.

The event program included two panel sessions: "Investment projects and business opportunities in Kazakhstan" and "Cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment."

At the dialogue platform, the parties considered the main goals of the Kazakh-Belgian Business Council, issues of expanding the presence of Belgian companies in the Kazakhstan market, further developing trade, economic and investment cooperation between Belgium and Kazakhstan, creating new opportunities for business interaction in various sectors of the economy.

In terms of current and potential joint initiatives, the following priority areas have been identified: renewable energy and the environment; agriculture, animal husbandry and meat processing; connectivity, transport and logistics; engineering, water treatment and infrastructure; IT, digitalization and communication, as well as the chemical industry and biotechnology. One of the important aspects remains healthcare, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.

During the event, representatives of the Belgian business in Kazakhstan Janssen Kazakhstan LLP made a presentation, noting the positive dynamics of economic growth with Kazakhstan. Currently, more than 70 enterprises with the participation of Belgian capital operate on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Representatives of NC Kazakh Invest JSC, Astana International Financial Center, RSE on PVC Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Kazakhmys Smelters also spoke about the activities of their companies. The speakers noted the effectiveness of interaction between Kazakh-Belgian relations, which became an example of successful and mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of the citizens of the two countries.

The head of the company familiarized the participants with the functions and main areas of work of the Single Distributor. European countries occupy a leading position in the share of purchases of medicines. The single distributor, in turn, takes an active position on the entry of European pharmaceutical companies into the Kazakhstani market.

To support and develop the domestic pharmaceutical and medical industry, the Single Distributor takes the initiative to provide a platform for major brands to enter the country from packaging to the full production cycle.

Recall that at the beginning of this year, a webinar was held at the site of the Single Distributor to attract investment from the countries of the European Union to the pharmaceutical industry and the production of medical equipment in Kazakhstan, organized jointly with the BeniLux Chamber of Commerce.

The parties attach paramount importance to attracting investments and competencies of the BeniLux countries (the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) in the pharmaceutical industry and the medical industry of Kazakhstan and further developing partnerships between the countries.

Having outlined clear common prospects for joint interaction, the BeniLux Chamber of Commerce and the Single Distributor concluded a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation.