Kazakhstan, Laos explore new opportunities in agriculture, logistics and digital sectors

Kazakhstan and Laos are looking to broaden cooperation in agriculture, trade, logistics and digitalization after talks between Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is making his first official visit to Kazakhstan. The discussions centered on carrying out agreements previously reached between Sisoulith and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, along with ways to deepen economic ties between the two countries.

Kazakhstan said it was ready to act as a trade and logistics hub for Lao goods entering Central Asian and broader Eurasian markets. The two sides also pointed to several other fields for future cooperation, including agriculture, information and communication technologies, e-government, tourism and cultural exchanges. Agriculture was singled out as one of the key areas for expanding bilateral trade.

Laos said it was interested in importing grain, oilseeds, forage and meat products from Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan, for its part, said it was ready to import Lao agricultural and industrial goods, including coffee and rubber. The sides also looked at the possibility of setting up joint processing and storage of agricultural products. The use of modern irrigation technologies was identified as another possible area of cooperation between the two countries.

Such agricultural cooperation would widen the range of goods traded between Kazakhstan and Laos and could help further develop supply chains between Central and Southeast Asia. Trade and logistics were also discussed at the meeting. Kazakhstan said it was prepared to use its transport and logistics infrastructure to help distribute Lao products across Central Asia and other Eurasian markets.

The Kazakh side also viewed Laos as a potential partner for expanding economic and business ties with Southeast Asian countries. Digitalization was another area identified for further bilateral cooperation. During Sisoulith's visit, Kazakhstan and Laos signed a memorandum of cooperation on information and communication technologies and e-government services.

The agreement is expected to create a framework for cooperation and the exchange of experience in digital government and related technologies. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as tourism, were also discussed as areas where bilateral engagement could grow. Sisoulith arrived in Kazakhstan for his first official visit to the country and was welcomed by Tokayev at the Palace of Independence in Astana.

The presidents held talks in narrow and extended formats, discussing bilateral relations and opportunities for further cooperation. After the negotiations, Kazakhstan and Laos adopted a joint statement setting out areas for the development of bilateral relations. Sisoulith called the visit a milestone in relations between the two countries, while Kazakhstan described Laos as an important partner in developing its engagement with Southeast Asia.