The Kazakhstan embassy in Qatar opened a photo exhibition at Katara–the Cultural Village yesterday as part of Kazakhstan’s 30th Independence Day, celebrated annually on December 16. The show, themed 'Kazakhstan recognised by the world community' and running until October 26, highlighted the natural beauty and architectural masterpieces of the country, in addition to the history, culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the people of Kazakhstan.
In a statement, Kazakhstan ambassador Arman Issagaliyev said “the modern history of Kazakhstan, which is the heir of an outstanding nomadic civilisation of the Great Steppe, is closely linked with the name of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev”.
The envoy accompanied Katara general manager Prof Khalid Ibrahim al-Sulaiti to the show, as he cited Kazakhstan’s key domestic political and socio-economic achievements “during the years of independence, and its successes in the international arena.”
Issagaliyev also underlined the strong bilateral relations between Qatar and Kazakhstan in various fields of co-operation, including trade and commerce. “We are very pleased with the positive dynamics of the development of our relations. This year, despite the (Covid-19) pandemic, was very active and full of bilateral contacts,” he said, noting that the leaders of the two States – His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made phone conversations, “co-ordinating joint efforts to bring bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level”.
“The leaders of our countries confirmed their commitment to expanding co-operation, and also noted the existence of serious potential and resources to fill the Kazakh – Qatari co-operation with new content,” he said. The envoy added that a number of important visits took place this year: the visit of the HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to Nur Sultan; and the visit of the First Deputy Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov to Doha. “These visits have given a huge impetus to bilateral co-operation,” he stressed.
According to Issagaliyev, the activity of the Kazakh–Qatari Business Council has resumed, further boosting the economic and investment co-operation between the two countries after a successful Doha meeting of the council in August. “The trade turnover between the two countries has significantly increased. We already have successes in the field of trade, now you can find Kazakhstani products in Qatari supermarkets,” he said. Besides resuming a “visa-free regime”, the envoy said there is also a plan to launch a direct flight between Qatar and Kazakhstan from November 19. “We are confident that the direct flight will serve as a serious impetus for the further development of bilateral relations in various fields, and will also serve to bring our peoples closer together,” Issagaliyev said.
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