Kazakhstan and China are going to implement 35 joint projects worth more than $3 billion in such spheres as trade, industry, science, education and tourism. The countries have signed a corresponding agreement at the business forum on attracting investments in the International Center for Cross-Border Cooperation "Khorgos". It was here that representatives of over 100 Chinese and Kazakh enterprises met.

KAHARMAN ZHAZIN, PRESIDENT, KHORGOS ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE:
- An agreement on friendship between Zharkent and Khorgos was signed. In addition, this year we are planning to launch new facilities, such as a shopping center, hotels, and business centers. The construction of a shopping and entertainment center is about to begin. These facilities will attract Chinese tourists.

YUI CHENGZHUN, BUSINESS EXECUTIVE IN KHORGOS:
- We have signed agreements with Kazakhstani companies at the business forum. We are planning to invest nearly 120 million yuans.

It was the first business forum held in the form of a direct dialogue between investors and entrepreneurs in Khorgos. Its participants were able to discuss all the topics of interest and outline future plans. Such meetings, entrepreneurs believe, open up real opportunities for the development of business tourism, trade and cultural and humanitarian relations.

WU HAO, DEPUTY HEAD OF KHORGOS:
- Khorgos International Center for Border Cooperation provides opportunities for the development of a new market as part of the One Belt One Road Initiative. It opens the access not only to markets of China, but also to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS countries and South-East Asia. I believe that this unique project will contribute to the development of the two countries.

The Kazakh-Chinese international center of cross-border cooperation "Khorgos" received the status of a free economic zone, where entrepreneurs are exempted from paying basic taxes, except for social taxes. According to the forum participants, such a relief will help attract more investors in Kazakhstan.