In his speech, the President stressed that the meeting with the representatives of top-ranked Japanese companies is among the most important ones inside of his visit.
- I am sure that the results of this visit will play a crucial role in taking the strategic partnership between our countries to a qualitatively new level, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan noted that the two countries cooperate on a wide range of areas, including the oil and gas industry, metallurgy, finance, mining industry; there are more than 50 Japanese companies working in our country.
- At the same time, the potential of our relationship has not been fully realized. Therefore, the current meeting is intended to enhance trade and economic cooperation, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The Head of State underscored that Kazakhstan is taking systematic measures to improve the business environment and attracting investment, and it takes the 35th place according to the World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business'.
The Kazakh President made a point of the work being carried out to further improve the business environment and changes in the structure of our country‘s economy.
- The state program of industrial-innovative development is being implemented so that to get away from the raw material orientation. It names several priority sectors of the economy. They are oil refining, oil-gas, agricultural chemistry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, food processing, automotive industry and electrical engineering. Investors in priority sectors are exempt from corporate income tax and land tax for 10 years, and the property tax - for 8 years, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The Head of State also noted that during the years of independence the total investment only from Japan amounted to about $ 10 billion.
- We have a liberal tax regime and the tax administration is quite simple, only 13 taxes. Consistency of regulations in respect of tax rates and employment sector is guaranteed. In 2015 we expanded the list of visa-free regime for citizens of 35 countries, and the next year there will be 56 countries. Investors from Japan can freely enter Kazakhstan, the President of Kazakhstan said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev also drew attention to the opportunities offered in connection with the implemented large-scale privatization program in the country, which covers about 800 companies worth about $ 10 billion.
In addition, the President of Kazakhstan spoke about the activities of special economic areas with a package of incentives and easing of licensing procedures as well as industrial zones, where the participants are provided with necessary infrastructure by the government.
- We are prepared to give Japanese companies a platform for the purposes of projects in special and industrial zones. In addition, we are ready to place these areas under management of the Japanese companies, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The Head of State made it clear that Tokyo’s experience is significant for the project to establish “Astana" International Financial Centre, which will enforce the best practice and has already got the cooperation with Japan Securities Dealers Association going.
The President of Kazakhstan called the companies of Japan to take an active part in the international trade show "EXPO-2017", adding that the "Mixed Smart Technology - Experience and Challenges" pavilion of Japan promises to be the biggest and most interesting.
Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed confidence that Kazakhstan's large-scale economic initiatives will make Japanese businesspeople interested.
- Our today's meeting is crucial as it is the business community that will implement the agreements reached with your country’s government. We have a desire to broaden relations, to deepen trade and boost the trade turnover, he said.
The President of Kazakhstan noted that our country is busy with modernizing transport infrastructure; it participates in the project of the new Silk Road, which provides a means of solving the issues of logistics and opens up fresh opportunities for cooperation between our countries' business communities.
