Yunnan Seeks Business Opportunity at Astana Expo

Yunnan celebrated its provincial day in the China Pavilion of the 2017 Astana Expo on July 24.

Wang Shufen, deputy head of the Yunnan Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee, Yu Jianlong, general-secretary of China Chamber of International Commerce(CCOIC), Zhang Hanhui, Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, Bekturova Malika Yerlanovna, deputy mayor of Astana, Talgat Doskenov, vice-chairman of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Aidyn Bayedilov, general director of the Kazakhstan Investment Cooperation Agency, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

More than 100 guests attended the event, including representatives of the China's and Kazakhstan's business associations and enterprises as well as pavilions from other countries.

"Yunnan has many favorable conditions such as beautiful natural scenery, abundance of resources, resources of colorful ethnic culture and unique geographical advantages, providing marvelous opportunities for development," said Wang Shufen.

She pointed out that the GDP of Yunnan expands at an average growth rate of 8.5 percent per year, making it a promising place for investment. She said that she hopes Yunnan will strengthen the development and cooperation on renewable energy with friends around the world and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Yu Jianlong said that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kazakhstan and the China Tourism Year. China's participation in the expo is conducive to promoting development and cooperation on economics and trade, and culture and tourism between China and Kazakhstan. It is of great significance to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan. Yunnan boasts unique geographical advantages as it is the only province in China that can communicate with Southeast Asia and South Asia overland, and also to connect Europe and Africa via the Middle East. It plays a role of connecting in the construction of Belt and Road Initiative.

Zhang Hanhui said in his speech that the ethnic diversity, gorgeous culture and beautiful natural scenery help form a colorful Yunnan – one of China's most distinctive provinces. "If Kazakhstan is regarded as the first stop to the northwest of the Belt and Road Initiative, Yunnan would be the exit to the southwest." He said that he wishes Yunnan and Kazakhstan could work together to achieve the effective docking of Belt and Road Initiative and the "Bright Road" plan, and jointly promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

Bekturova, vice mayor of Astana, said in her speech that although Astana is one of the world's youngest capitals, it boasts one of the fastest growing cities in not just Central Asia but the entire world. Astana Expo provides a platform for a large number of countries to showcase their achievements. On the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations, especially with the joint support of the two heads, Astana will fully promote cooperation with China in agriculture, energy and other fields.

Doskenov said that there are many similarities between Astana and the Yunnan province, apart from its beautiful scenery and warm hearted people, it also have similar customs where multi-ethnic groups harmoniously live together. The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan will fully promote cooperation with Yunnan province.

Director Aydin said that Kazakhstan has just conducted in-depth exchanges with relevant departments of Yunnan province on the previous day. Kazakhstan plans to import bananas and other agricultural products from Yunnan, and discuss matters concerning enterprises investments in Karaganda of Kazakhstan. These projects will be beneficial for Kazakhstan to carry out economic and trade cooperation with Yunnan province.

On that day, there were other activities, including exhibitions of biomass gasification power generation system and Pu'er tea ceremony, Yunnan tourism promotion fair, economic and trade exchange fair, and business signing ceremonies. The moves aim to make full use of the platform to expand the publicity of Yunnan province, to extensively communicate with the participating countries, to deepen cooperation with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, especially the Central Asian countries, in the field of energy.

The Yunnan delegation will also visit other countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to attend activities including the economic and trade investment promotion fair and "China - South Asia Expo" promotion fair.

Shu Huan, deputy government representative and curator of China Pavilion, will attend the above activities.