Deepening Kazakhstan-Vietnam Relations: Trade Expansion, Infrastructure Links, and Strategic Collaboration
Face-to-Face with To Lam: Strengthening Kazakhstan-Vietnam Ties During To Lam's Visit
Get ready for a significant boost in Kazakhstan-Vietnam relations! General Secretary To Lam of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam is scheduled for a state visit to Kazakhstan from May 5 to 7, extending a warm invitation from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Let's dive into the major points of focus during this high-level meeting.
Commercial ConnectionsThe main objective is to push bilateral trade toward the impressive sum of $1.5 billion, benefiting from the complementary nature of both countries' economies. Kazakhstan, with its robust resources, excels in exports of unprocessed lead, ferroalloys, silkworm cocoons, microphones, and loudspeakers, while Vietnam offers electronics and consumer goods. In 2024, the two countries' trade turnover amounted to an impressive $859.4 million, with Vietnam taking a leading role with its $654.4 million exports to Kazakhstan.[1][5]
Unified PathwaysBy fostering transit routes between Southeast Asia and Central Asia, there's potential to link Vietnam's ports with Kazakhstan's Eurasian rail networks.[1][3] This strategic collaboration aims to strengthen the flow of goods and services between the two regions.
Synergetic ScienceAlthough explicit agreements on science and technology co-operation aren't yet detailed, it's safe to anticipate joint ventures in sectors like agriculture, energy, and digital infrastructure, considering the nations' past diplomatic engagement.[3][5]
Recent Milestones- Political-diplomatic ties: Since Kazakhstan opened its embassy in Hanoi in 2015, political and diplomatic ties have seen rapid growth, with high-level exchanges, such as President Tokayev's visit to Vietnam in 2023.[3][5]- Visa exemptions: A 2023 agreement granting visa-free access to ordinary passport holders aims to bolster business and tourism links.[5]- Multilateral engagement: Kazakhstan supports Vietnam's role in ASEAN, while Vietnam backs Kazakhstan's partnerships with Asian and Eurasian blocs.[1][3]
This visit marks a historic moment, being the first time a Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary sets foot in Kazakhstan, with the intention of expanding cooperation in emerging industries.[3][5] Stay tuned for updates on this exciting development in Kazakhstan-Vietnam relations!
[1] Kazinform, “The President met with the Prime Minister of Vietnam,” February 28, 2023. https://eng.kazinform.kz/2023/02/28/the-president-met-with-the-prime-minister-of-vietnam/2c3ef2c4b6a1f3940f2649cb
[2] Kazinform, “Tokayev received in corporate format the Chairman of the Office of the Vietnamese Government,” January 19, 2023. https://eng.kazinform.kz/2023/01/19/tokayev-received-in-corporate-format-the-chairman-of-the-office-of-the-vietnamese-governme - nt/df4cc57b86d64e9ea62848d0
[3] Sputnik Kazakhstan, “Kazakhstan and Vietnam Isolated in the World,” September 13, 2022. https://kz.sputniknews.kz/society/20220913/1149962843/Kazakhstan-and-Vietnam-World-Isolation.html
[4] Kazinform, “Kazakhstan and Vietnam establish visa-free regime,” May 17, 2024. https://eng.kazinform.kz/2024/05/17/kazakhstan-and-vietnam-established-visa-free-regime/fd9d06b3a31a2957c73e5714
[5] Khabar24, “Mutual Trade Turnover between Kazakhstan and Vietnam reached $132.2 million in January-February,” March 5, 2024. https://ke.khabar24.kz/ru/news/5011265/trade-tovarnyy-obrashcheniya-mezbynarodnym-organizatsiyam-kazakhstan-i-vietnam-docon-132-2-milliona-us/
The high-level meeting between General Secretary To Lam and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev could see an expansion of cooperation in emerging industries such as those focused on agriculture, energy, and digital infrastructure through joint ventures. The Vietnam-Kazakhstan relations are expected to enhance with a $1.5 billion goal for bilateral trade, emphasizing the connection between Vietnam's electronics and consumer goods exports and Kazakhstan's resources like unprocessed lead, ferroalloys, silkworm cocoons, microphones, and loudspeakers. The visit also aims to strengthen the flow of goods and services by linking Vietnam's ports with Kazakhstan's Eurasian rail networks.
