Comprehensive interview with Ambassador Daniyar Sarekenov
DANIYAR Sarekenov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Malaysia, shared further insights with theSun CMO Prashun Dutt, regarding Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, economic growth and relationship with Malaysia/Southeast Asia.
Ambassador Sarekenov joined the Kazakh foreign service in 1993 and has been on diplomatic postings in Japan and Korea, besides important roles in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He remains an active sportsman, despite his busy schedule, explores restaurants serving various kinds of local and traditional cuisine, besides enjoying interacting with a wide cross-section of people.
Critical excerpts: theSun: Kazakhstan is probably the most dynamic economy in Central Asia/Eurasian Region. What would you identify as the five (or six) most important factors driving: a) this growth of Kazakhstan’s Economy and b) Kazakhstan’s increasing influence and
stature in the global arena?
Sarekenov: Despite substantial export options of natural resources, Kazakhstan’s strategic aspiration is to become a modern, diversified economy with high value-added and high-tech components, well integrated into the global economy. • Kazakhstan’s economy perceives the need for further, accelerated integration into international economic relations, inter alia through: 1) utilisation of unique reserves
of energy and mineral resources; 2) vast possibilities in exporting industrial
and agricultural products; 3) developing our country’s transi/
transport potential; and 4) Increasing the availability of highly
qualified specialists in different spheres.
Strategy “Kazakhstan-2050” envisages our stated priority to be counted among top 30 developed countries of the world by 2050, besides accelerating diversification of our economy. • Six priority sectors were selected: metallurgy, chemical, petrochemical industry, engineering, construction materials, and the food industry. These are further divided into 14 spheres: 1) ferrous metallurgy; 2) non-ferrous metallurgy; 3) oil refining; 4) petrochemical industry; 5) food production; 6) agricultural chemistry; 7) production of industrial chemicals 8) production of motor vehicles, motor
parts, mountings and engines; 9) production of electrical machinery and
electronic equipment; 10) production of agricultural equipment; 11) production of railway engineering; 12) production of machinery and
equipment for mining industry; 1 13) production of machinery and equipment for the oil producing and refining industry; 14) production of construction materials.
• Attraction of foreign direct investments will prove a key factor in realising these plans and accelerating economic growth. • Confidence in our carefully structured, transparent policies and social/political stability, has helped attract US$255 billion of foreign direct investments into various industries in Kazakhstan, since its independence.
The transparent objective of becoming an economically competitive and mature democratic nation has attracted the serious interest of other matured economies and potential trading/business partners. Consequently, Kazakhstan’s basic foreign policy was founded on two main pillars: 1) A balanced model “...based on openness towards the outside world” and “promoting equal, respectful and mutually beneficial relations” with all potential partners; 2) Assuming the role of a responsible and trusted citizen of the world “committed to global security, progress” and the “pursuit of peace” plus “amicable constructive dialogue”.
Having experienced the ravages of nuclear testing, Kazakhstan executed the strategic decision to eliminate its own arsenal of nuclear weapons immediately after achieving its independence from the Soviet Union.Thereby acquiring the moral authority to drive conscientious persuasion of nuclear disarmament.
Kazakhstan is among the most active leaders in nuclear disarmament worldwide. Together with our neighbours, we have established the Central Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, an initiative, which has won the backing of all the major nuclear powers.
These mutually reinforcing pillars, policies and initiatives generated recognition for Kazakhstan’s sovereignty, security and economic development, besides earning non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
theSun: How does Kazakhstan wish to increase interaction with Malaysia. a) Especially in sectors such as: i. mutual development of trade and
Sarekenov: Malaysia is among our leading political, trade and economic partners in SE Asia. President Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak envisioned to promote the bilateral cooperation up to the level of “comprehensive partnership” across the wide spectrum of relations. This is evidenced by the regular exchanges of top and high-level visits, as well as the similarity of views on topical issues of the international agenda. • Despite all our efforts, we can still see huge untapped potential in bilateral economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Malaysia. Currently, the volume of our mutual trade is only around US$ 100 million. We are certain this amount will be elevated to more impressive digits once both sides implement the bilateral investment agreements reached over the last few years, and valued at above US$1 billion. • Malaysia is a major player in the field of Islamic finance. We are interested in accessing Malaysian expertise/financial institutions towards developing the Islamic banking in Kazakhstan. • With the imminent launch Astana International Financial Centre Kazakhstan looks forward to turning into a regional Islamic banking powerhouse in the Eurasian/Central Asian region, and be counted among Top 10 financial centres in Asia. I can also perceive positive potential for bilateral cooperation in the halal food industry. We are keen to interact with the Halal Development Corporation (HDC), for Kazakhstan also aspires to become a halal hub for the entire Central Asian region. • Oil and gas sector is among the most promising avenues for collaboration, including upstream and downstream oil and gas development and servicing.
Kazakhstan is interested in attracting •
business interests, ii. inviting participation in infrastructure
development (in Kazakhstan); iii. interaction with various chambers of
commerce; iv. cultural interaction; and v. as a source/venue for education, to increase knowledge and skills of Kazakhstan students? Could you also identify some specific sectors/projects in which Kazakhstan would be most keen to invite participation from Malaysian banks, corporate sector, industrial companies, businessmen/ entrepreneurs, medical and academic sectors? Malaysian companies to implementing hi-tech infrastructural and construction projects, possibly on public-private partnership terms. • Tourism: Kazakhstan’s vast land mass provides a diverse range of attractions, including authentic cultural tourism, nature-based activities and ecotourism. Tremendous potential for cooperation with Malaysian companies in this field. • We are ambitious about Green Energy and have established close cooperation with GreenTech Malaysia Corporation. We are ultra-keen to glean their experience with technologies and implementation based on public-private partnership terms. • We are honoured that over 50 Malaysian companies are participating in Expo 2017 in Astana. Particularly Malaysian companies with advanced know-how in the field of alternative energy.
The Republic of Kazakhstan has announced a large-scale privatisation of the Government-Owned Companies (GOC) for 2016-2020 years. This initiative aims at reduction of the state’s presence in the business and correlates with the policy of the Government of Kazakhstan directed at strengthening the economy foundations via development of the private sector. By 2020 the share of state ownership should be reduced to the level of the OECD member states, which is 15% of the GDP. In this regard, I am greatly pleased to invite Malaysian companies to take part in the above mentioned privatisation programme what undoubtedly will open new investment opportunities in one of the most dynamic regions.
• Our countries have a history of cooperation in education, Malaysia being a favorite destination for Kazakh. • Human capital development is an important area of our collaboration. Apart from university students and youth undergoing English language and other short-term training, the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme has offered training courses in many fields to Kazakh officials. • The Joint Trade and Economic Committee (JTEC) and the Business Council are among the most efficient mechanisms of bilateral cooperation between our countries. Such efficient platforms provide scope to discuss (on a case-by-case basis and systemic manner) all relevant issues related to bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation. It helps to maintain close contacts with different business entities in Malaysia. • During the first quarter of 2017 we are planning to hold the third meeting of JTEC in Kuala Lumpur.
theSun: Likewise, how does Kazakhstan wish to increase interaction with other core Southeast Asian economies like Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Sarekenov: Kazakhstan definitely intends to increase cooperation and interaction with Southeast Asia and Asean, strengthening this vector of our foreign policy. • This region has experienced dynamic growth during most of the past three decades. It is very important for our country to continue development of long-term, mutually beneficial economic and trade relations; and • To cooperate with Asean which we recognise as one of the most prominent regional organisations in the world. •