Belgium is interested in investing in Kazakhstan. The two countries discussed Kazakhstan’s business opportunities as part of the new Silk Road in Brussels. Bankers, businessmen, diplomats and Wallonia investment agency’s representatives identified the areas and ways for cooperation and points of common interest. The Kazakh delegation told about the new conditions of doing business in the country, pointing out the economy’s most profitable investment areas. The Kazakh Ambassador to Belgium emphasized that the country takes systematic measures to improve the business environment such as a liberal tax regime for investors, creation of an investment ombudsman, and the abolition of visas for citizens of more than 50 countries.

ASKAR NAMAZBAYEV, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, EBRD OFFICE IN KAZAKHSTAN:

The Silk Road’s development has high investment potential. Certainly, it poses interest to our partners, not only in terms of investment in infrastructure but also in the use of this infrastructure for trade between the two economic poles - the European Union and Asia. I believe that it was a very useful initiative which has great potential to attract more investment, and generally promote Kazakhstan’s image in the world.

CHANTAL DE BLEU, GENERAL MANAGER, WALLONIA EXPORT-INVESTMENT AGENCY:

I know about it also because I’ve been working since the beginning of my career with the former Soviet Union and what it has become now so I see the evolution it’s a very good evolution and I hope that you will go on progressing very positively.

Belgian businessmen working in Kazakhstan told about the business environment and investment climate here. One of the success stories is the project "Dry port Khorgos - Eastern Gate" with modern logistics technologies facilitating export and import of goods - a key element of the state program "Kazakhstan - New Silk Road".

KARL GEIS, DIRECTOR GENERAL, KTZE KHORGOS GATEWAY:

This project is not just about bringing goods from East to the West, it’s not just about trade and containers, it’s much more. It is creating; it is putting Kazakhstan on a map within Central Asia. It is putting Central Asia on a map so it gives Kazakhstan leading role, to take the lead in central Asia to develop the region. So it is good to bring additional investments. It will generate a new economy in Kazakhstan, a new regional economy.

DENIS VAN DEN VEYHE, CEO, ZENGE:

Kazakhstan is a very stable country. Its economy is developing very rapidly. People live peacefully. I am never worried about my safety when I am here. Therefore I would invite my Belgian colleagues to consider investing in the agrarian sector, in IT, the chemical sphere is quite attractive, that is, to choose an appropriate sphere worth of developing a business that will bring lots of profit in the future.

The businessmen decided to hold the next meeting in Kazakhstan in spring next year. According to Belgians, they have things to do here; they also want to discuss the opportunity of starting joint business in Kazakhstan especially as part of the new Silk Road and ahead of Expo 2017 in Astana.