Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Canada Dauletbek Kussainov met with Canada's Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen to discuss issues of bilateral cooperation, including in the field of official development assistance (ODA), El.kz cites MFA.
Ambassador Kussainov informed the interlocutor about the current situation in Kazakhstan and the ongoing large-scale political and socio-economic reforms of President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev.
The parties discussed the potential for trade, economic, and investment cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the growth of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Canada. In 2022, the trade turnover reached $838.6 million (exports: $680.1 mln, imports: $158.5 mln), which is the highest recorded in the past decade.
The Minister paid special attention to international development issues. In particular, the Canadian side highly appreciated the establishment of the national official development assistance agency “KazAID”.
Minister Hussen expressed interest in the implementation of joint ODA projects in Central Asia aimed at developing human capital, improving health care and education, strengthening social justice and ensuring economic growth.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue contacts between Kazakhstan and Canada on the full range of bilateral and international issues, including the possible implementation of joint projects in the field of ODA.