Tokayev proposed new joint projects to German business

Tengrinews.kz — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the Chairman of the Board of Rhenus Group.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Rhenus Group CEO Tobias Bartz discussed the prospects for developing a strategic partnership in transport and logistics, as well as the transition to the implementation of joint infrastructure projects.

The Head of State noted the company's long-standing contribution to strengthening Kazakhstan's transport connectivity and emphasized that the country aims to become one of the continent's primary logistics hubs.

Particular attention was paid to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for joint efforts to build a competitive logistics route featuring modern ports, terminals, railways, and digital services. He also welcomed Rhenus's participation in the multimodal hub project at the Port of Aktau.

For his part, Tobias Bartz noted Kazakhstan's high potential as a key transport and logistics hub and expressed the company's interest in participating in joint projects.

Following the meeting, the sides confirmed their readiness to expand areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Photo by the Akorda press service

Additionally, on September 29, President Tokayev held a meeting in Berlin with the management of the Deutsche Bahn group.

He highly praised Deutsche Bahn's contribution to modernizing the country's railway sector, specifically highlighting the joint project between DB Engineering & Consulting and NC KTZ JSC to develop passenger transportation.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of integrating Kazakhstani manufacturers into the German concern's supply chain, including through the attainment of relevant certification.

In turn, Jan Grothe, Chief Procurement Officer at Deutsche Bahn AG, expressed gratitude for the positive feedback on the German group's work in Kazakhstan and confirmed readiness to further deepen cooperation.

Andreas Luebs, head of DB Cargo Eurasia GmbH, also took part in the meeting. In the field of freight transportation, Kazakhstan and DB Cargo Eurasia are actively cooperating on the development of container shipping and are currently focusing significant attention on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

At the conclusion of the conversation, both parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in strengthening long-term cooperation across the entire transport and logistics sector.

The Head of State also received the Chairman of the Board of the Wilo Group, Oliver Hermes.

As part of his official visit to Germany, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Oliver Hermes, head of the German international technology group Wilo Group.

The group manufactures pumps and offers energy-saving solutions for residential, public, and industrial buildings.

The President described Wilo as a prime example of the industrial localization of German business in Kazakhstan, highly praising the investment in the production complex in the Almaty region and the decision to use the country as a platform for entering Central Asian markets.

According to the Head of State, the next step should be deepening localization—increasing the share of components produced in Kazakhstan, developing engineering and service competencies, and expanding the participation of domestic suppliers.

In this context, the Head of State spoke positively of plans to launch a regional service and engineering center for pumping equipment in the city of Alatau.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also expressed interest in developing Wilo's cooperation with Kazakhstani engineering companies, universities, and technical specialists, including in the areas of personnel training, localization of maintenance services, and the implementation of advanced digital manufacturing practices.

For his part, Oliver Hermes thanked the President of Kazakhstan for supporting the group's projects and outlined plans to expand the partnership in the country.

The German businessman emphasized that Kazakhstan has become a regional hub for Wilo in Central Asia.

Furthermore, The Head of State received the Chairman of the Board of D.A.R. Metall AG, Christian Artner.

During the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that developing the partnership with D.A.R. Metall AG and implementing modern German technologies fully align with the country's industrial and environmental priorities.

In this regard, particular attention was paid to the prospects for implementing a joint metal processing project in Kazakhstan.

The Head of State noted the priority importance of the metallurgical industry for Kazakhstan and provided an update on the progress of reconstructing the industry's flagship enterprise, Qarmet.

For his part, Christian Artner reaffirmed the German company’s commitment to continuing its manufacturing projects in Kazakhstan.

He also expressed D.A.R. Metall AG's interest in participating in a municipal and industrial waste recycling project in the city of Alatau, as well as new joint ventures with Qarmet.