Governor Vitaly Khotsenko discussed cooperation in trade, economic, investment and humanitarian spheres with Ambassador of Kazakhstan Dauren Abayev.

Vitaly Khotsenko stressed that Kazakhstan is a strategically important partner of the Omsk region, providing about a third of the region's foreign trade turnover.

Cooperation with the Republic is built in the field of industry and trade, agriculture and environmental protection, and in the humanitarian sphere. Omsk region is actively increasing food supplies to the Republic. Kazakhstani products are also in demand in the Omsk market. Another important area of cooperation is joint breeding work. Omsk Agricultural Research Center traditionally sells seeds of higher reproductions to Kazakhstan.

The parties attach particular importance to the deepening of industrial cooperation and the creation of joint ventures. Omsk machine builders sell a wide range of agricultural machinery to Kazakhstani farmers. There is a mutual interest in developing relations not only in the economy, but also in the fields of education, culture, tourism, sports and youth policy. Today, more than a lot of young citizens of Kazakhstan study at Omsk universities and technical schools. In general, the Omsk Region is second only to Moscow and the northern capital, St. Petersburg, in terms of the number of international students.

According to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation Dauren Abayev, he greatly appreciates the support provided by Omsk residents to national associations in their desire to learn their native language and preserve their traditions.

"I am currently in the Omsk region on a study visit, but on our next visit we plan to bring a Kazakhstani business delegation. I think we can do a lot of joint projects through industrial cooperation, especially given the fact that the Omsk Region is an advanced region with a highly developed industry and agriculture. I wish that our cooperation with the Omsk region would only flourish," said Dauren Abayev, head of the diplomatic mission of Kazakhstan in Russia.

"The Omsk region and the Republic of Kazakhstan are connected not only by more than a thousand kilometers of common border. We are connected by history, people, and life destinies. Russian President Vladimir Putin prioritizes our friendship and aims to further deepen mutual cooperation not only in the economy, but also in the humanitarian sphere, culture, and student exchange, and these are also human stories. So we will continue to cooperate, develop tourism potential, interregional cooperation, and help establish contacts for businesses that are interested not only in supplying their products, but are also ready to invest in the creation of joint ventures, and this already speaks to the belief in partnership relations between our countries," said Vitaly Khotsenko.

The governor also said that the Omsk region is ready to once again act as a venue for the Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan in 2 years.

"In 2003, the first Forum of Interregional Cooperation was held in Omsk. In 2019, we also became a venue for it. And we would like to host the Forum again in 2026. We will apply accordingly and hope for your support," said Vitaliy Khotsenko.

The interstate platform is aimed at developing cooperation between the regions of Russia and Kazakhstan. The event is held alternately in the territories of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan to maintain and develop economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between the two countries.