Austria and Kazakhstan discussed cooperation instruments within the framework of the World Mining Congress
Kazakhstan, Almaty, August 23, 2017 - In the trade department of the Embassy of the Republic of Austria «ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA» in Almaty hosted a meeting between representatives of the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Kazakhstan in the course of which the mechanisms of cooperation in the framework of the World Mining Congress (WMC) in 2018 in Astana were discussed.
The meeting was attended by the Director of the Austrian Association of Nonferrous Metallurgy Roman Stiftner, the representative of the Federal Economic Chamber of Austria Sonja Bredl, the Marketing Manager of Advantage Austria Tatyana Sokolova and the team of the organizers of the WMC 2018 led by the operator of the event, exhibition company Iteca.
The parties came to preliminary agreement on participation in WMC of the Austrian delegation, consisting of representatives of the major industrial companies and professional associations: the Austrian Mining and Metallurgical Association, the Austrian Industry Federation, the Geological Survey of Austria, the Austrian Society of Metallurgy and Materials and others. The participation of the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economics of the Republic of Austria was also discussed.
The purpose of the visit of the Austrian delegation is to strengthen the Kazakh-Austrian cooperation. Over the past 5 years, trade and economic relations between the countries demonstrate exceptionally positive dynamics. According to the Commercial Counsellor & Trade Commissioner of the Austrian Embassy for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan Michael Mueller, during the period of cooperation, the amount of Austrian investments amounted to more than $ 4 billion. As a result of 2016, Kazakhstan showed a positive trade balance in relations with Austria - 439.3 million euros. The main export products are oil, minerals and metals.
Among the priority areas of cooperation, the processing industry sector and such sectors as engineering, mining and metallurgy, logistics and chemical production were noted.
The parties also discussed the business program of the forthcoming WMC and determined the points at which Austria can provide its expertise in accordance with the priority areas of its economy. When considering the program, Roman Stiftner showed interest in such sections as Industry 4.0, waste processing of MMC and sustainable development.
As part of the negotiations, parties reached an agreement on installation of a national stand of the Austrian Republic, at which Austrian companies will present the latest developments and technologies. In addition, it is planned to hold the days of the MMC of Austria.
The World Mining Congress is the largest industry event that brings together specialists and scientists from 50 countries working in the field of development of deposits of solid minerals, science and technology, as well as environmental protection and industrial safety.
25th Anniversary World Mining Congress will be held 19-22 June 2017 in Astana under the moto: "Innovation excellence - step forward to mining growth".
To date, participation in the Congress has been confirmed by delegations from Australia, Austria, Canada, Norway and France. The organizers invited the heads of state of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Australia and Poland.