On an official visit to Kazakhstan, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who conferred SM Lee the Order of Dostyk (Friendship of the First Class), and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, who hosted him for dinner.
“As ASEAN Chair next year, Singapore looks forward to creating more opportunities for ASEAN to engage partners beyond our traditional networks,” said SM Lee.
The push to strengthen links between the two regions comes as Singapore and Kazakhstan expand their own cooperation into new areas, with agreements signed on Aug 26 covering the digital integration of a major Eurasian trade route and water management.
Kazakhstan is Singapore’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. Bilateral trade in goods amounted to $326.6 million, while trade in services was $159 million. Singapore’s stock of direct investment in Kazakhstan stood at $2.1 billion, with 158 Singapore overseas affiliates operating there.
