Presidential talks focus on mining, logistics, and humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and Guinea-Bissau

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embaló held a joint press conference, as the Kazinform News Agency reported via Akorda.

During the conference, the two leaders shared a joint statement highlighting the outcomes of their bilateral discussions. President Tokayev emphasised that President Embaló's official visit to Kazakhstan signifies both nations' shared goals and aspirations despite their considerable geographic distance.

The talks yielded significant agreements to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, including politics, trade, economics, culture, and humanitarian efforts. Both countries expressed a keen interest in maximising opportunities in transport and logistics. A key outcome of the discussions was the decision to explore linking Guinea-Bissau's Port of Bissau with Kazakhstan's Trans-Caspian Transport Route to West Africa. This collaboration holds particular significance amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing global concerns over food security.

President Tokayev also highlighted the potential for agricultural cooperation, noting Kazakhstan's strong capacity to export grain crops to Guinea-Bissau, which could play a vital role in enhancing bilateral trade ties.

The Kazakh President stressed the importance of fully leveraging the potential for food security, which was established at the nation's initiative. He also highlighted the prospects for enhanced mining and natural resource development cooperation. Specifically, opportunities exist for collaborative efforts in exploring and developing deposits of iron, phosphate, bauxite, and other rare earth minerals.

As published in June 2024, Economic Complexity and Diversification: Kazakhstan Report by Harvard Growth Lab (MINING INDUSTRY OF KAZAKHSTAN), stated that Kazakhstan has abundant resources, including those critical for low carbon development. Kazakhstan ranks 11^th in terms of copper reserves globally, 7^th in terms of zinc reserves, 11^th in terms of bauxite (aluminium) reserves, and 8^th in terms of lead reserves.

Kazakhstan's major bauxite mines are in the Kostanay region, while the biggest aluminium facility is in Pavlodar. Pavlodar has access to cheap electricity, which is necessary for metal extraction. In 2023, Kazakhstan had the 11th-largest reserves of bauxites in the world, with 160 million tonnes.

Image credit: The Caspian Post