The bold leadership of Kazakhstan under President Tokayev and Singapore’s forward-thinking strategies highlight shared aspirations for growth, inclusivity, and robust international partnerships.
2024 is fast approaching its end, making me reflect on the valuable lessons learned, as well as on the way forward. This year has been momentous in many regards. Geopolitically, it is hard to imagine a time in recent history when there has been so much at stake globally. In times of geopolitical disruption, a strong national leadership is in short supply.
Over the past five and a half years, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Administration has been steadfastly building a Just and Emboldened Kazakhstan. In September, in his annual State-of-the-Nation Address titled ‘Just Kazakhstan: Law and Order, Economic Growth, Public Optimism’ President Tokayev made it crystal clear – we will not deviate from this strategic path, however challenging it could be.
Today, Kazakhstan’s economy is sound and business-friendly, effective institutions and democratic fundamentals are firmly in place. The social fabric is strong, and all citizens feel they have a stake in Kazakhstan’s future.
Despite global challenges, Kazakhstan remains by far the largest economy and FDI destination in Central Asia. Truly, Kazakhstan is and will always be a Born Bold nation as long as our country-fellows remain united, open-minded, and enterprising.
In many regards, President Tokayev’s vision echoes the ‘Forward Singapore’ exercise to refresh Singapore’s social compact. Both of them “Put People First”, and envisage that the fruits of progress must be shared fairly, with no one left behind.
2024 has been a truly remarkable year for the Kazakhstan-Singapore relations too. In May, President Tokayev paid a successful State Visit to Singapore meeting with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He also delivered the 46th Singapore Lecture titled ‘Kazakhstan and Role of the Middle Powers: Fostering Security, Stability and Sustainable Development.’
A few weeks before, the Speaker of the Singapore Parliament Seah Kian Peng visited Kazakhstan. Those and several other high-level exchanges throughout 2024 highlighted Singapore’s position as one of Kazakhstan’s key partners in ASEAN and the wider Asia-Pacific. Trade and economic ties remain the backbone of our partnership. In 2024, the parties ratified the Bilateral Investment Treaty that boosts investor confidence.
Soon, we anticipate ratification of the Trade in Services and Investment Agreement, which will facilitate access to each other’s service sectors and provide even better protection for our investors. Therefore, we invite Singaporean investors to step out of their comfort zone and harness the opportunities in Kazakhstan’s emerging strategic sectors such as AI, renewable energy, critical materials, logistics, agribusiness, education, and tourism, to name a few.
Despite the geographic distance, differences in size, history, and geopolitical context, Kazakhstan and Singapore share many common aspirations. Next year, our two countries will proudly celebrate their respective historic milestones – the 35th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s State Sovereignty, and Singapore’s 60th Independence Day.
I strongly hope that in the years ahead, together, we will spare no effort towards building a successful future for our comprehensive partnership.
This would be a truly excellent endeavour for Kazakhstan and Singapore!
Source: H.E. Askar Kuttykadam, Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Singapore
