Kazakhstan and China Strengthen Energy and Road Infrastructure Cooperation
Kazakh Prime Minister Discusses Investment Cooperation in Energy Industry with Chinese Officials
ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov recently met with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Chairman Dai Houliang to discuss deepening investment cooperation in the energy industry. This meeting took place as part of the Chinese President’s state visit to Kazakhstan on July 2.
During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on a joint project to enhance the production capacity of the Shymkent oil refinery. The parties reviewed the project’s progress and expressed their commitment to expedite the modernization process to ensure timely completion of the facility.
In addition to the Shymkent oil refinery project, discussions also included measures to secure an adequate supply of raw materials to the plant and expand the Kenkiyak-Atyrau and Kenkiyak-Kumkol oil pipelines. Kazakh and Chinese experts are currently working on the necessary calculations for these initiatives.
Furthermore, the parties highlighted the successful implementation of the first line of the Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent gas pipeline and explored further cooperation opportunities in the gas sector.
CNPC, a leading global oil company, has invested over $45 billion in Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry and employs more than 30,000 people in the country, with 98.3% of them being Kazakh citizens.
In another meeting with Citic Group Chairman Xi Guohua, Prime Minister Bektenov discussed joint Kazakh-Chinese projects and collaboration in energy and industry. The discussions focused on various large infrastructure projects with Chinese participation, including the reconstruction of key national roads.
Projects such as the Taldykorgan-Oskemen highway and the Karagandy-Balkhash highway are currently in progress, with significant construction works underway to enhance road infrastructure in Kazakhstan. Additionally, progress on increasing the capacity of the Caspi Bitum plant to meet the high demand for bitumen during the peak construction season was also reviewed.
Citic Group, established in 1979, is actively involved in implementing projects in Kazakhstan across various sectors, including energy, chemical industry, finance, infrastructure, and more.
Overall, the meetings between Kazakh and Chinese officials underscored the strong partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to enhancing investment cooperation in the energy sector and promoting sustainable development in Kazakhstan.
