Kazakhstan committed to constructive cooperation with U.S. on Tengiz, Kashagan, Karachaganak projects, will continue supplying uranium - Tokayev

ASTANA. Sept 23 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan is interested in further constructive cooperation with the United States on oil field projects and aims to diversify its hydrocarbon export routes, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a roundtable discussion with U.S. business representatives in New York.

"We remain committed to constructive cooperation with our U.S. partners at the Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak oil fields, and we strive to ensure that our partnership continues to yield fair and mutually beneficial results. Kazakhstan aims at diversification of its hydrocarbon export routes," Tokayev was quoted as saying by the presidential press service.

He noted the role of investments by the U.S. corporations Chevron and ExxonMobil in the country's economy over the past 30 years and said that Kazakhstan is "ready to play a leading role in facilitating investments and expanding the presence of U.S. business in Central Asia."

"The United States, having invested over $100 billion, is the largest investor in Kazakhstan's economy. We are sincerely proud of the achievements of our economic cooperation. Currently, more than 630 U.S. companies are successfully operating in our country," he said.

Kazakhstan currently provides around 40% of the world market's uranium needs, and its share in U.S. imports of this material is 24%, he said.

"In addition, in line with U.S. energy priorities, we are also promoting clean, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy solutions based on coal, which accounts for over 70% of energy generation in Kazakhstan," he said.

At the same time, Tokayev noted the need to explore new opportunities in geological exploration and the expansion of existing projects, as well as uranium mining and processing.

"Possessing some of the world's largest coal reserves, we share the U.S. approach that considers it a reliable and secure source of energy, at least for the foreseeable future. Our energy strategy is based on four components: oil, gas, coal and uranium. And we intend to firmly adhere to this principle," he said.

Kazakhstan has "successfully created an investor-friendly jurisdiction in the mining industry, supported by transparent and comprehensive legislation," he said.