Kazakhstan and Tatarstan discuss joint projects in engineering and petrochemicals

ALMATY. Sept 9 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has met with Tatarstan Head Rustam Minnikhanov, who arrived in Astana for the opening ceremony of the 5th World Nomad Games.

"President Tokayev expressed satisfaction with the ongoing development of trade and economic cooperation, stressing the importance of timely and high-quality implementation of joint projects in engineering and petrochemicals," the Kazakh president's press service said.

Tokayev thanked Minnikhanov for attending the Games and highlighted the strong presence of Russian athletes, including those from Tatarstan. In response, Minnikhanov expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the opportunity to participate in the World Nomad Games, which honor the shared history and traditions of Turkic peoples and nomadic cultures.

Minnikhanov also reaffirmed Tatarstan's commitment to initiating new joint projects in high-value manufacturing, IT, and other mutually beneficial sectors.

The leaders discussed interregional cooperation and the agenda for the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to be held in Kazan in October 2024.

They reviewed several joint ventures, including the KamaTyresK tire production facility in Saran, a collaboration between Kazakhstan's Allur Group and Tatarstan's Tatneft, which began mass production of tires under the Attar brand in August 2024. Since 2023, Tatneft has also been involved in the joint petrochemical venture Butadiene LLP, which will supply raw materials for the KamaTyresKz plant once the factory is completed. Additionally, Tatneft holds a 50% stake in Karaton Operating Ltd., the operator of the Karaton Podsolevoy oil field in Kazakhstan, with production expected to start in 2028.