The Kazakhstan-Denmark Business Forum was held at ASP ARENA in Konaev with the support of NC KAZAKH INVEST JSC and the Akimat of Almaty Region as part of the official visit of Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, to the Republic of Kazakhstan. More than 100 representatives of government agencies, development institutions and business communities from the two countries discussed how to turn Danish business interest in Kazakhstan into concrete investment projects.Welcoming remarks were delivered by Chingis Arinov, Akim of Almaty Region, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ardak Zebeshev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Nazgul Khatepova, Vice Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The forum was moderated by Mads Nipper, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MacArtney Underwater Technology A/S.“Kazakhstan is interested in making its economic cooperation with Denmark increasingly practical. We see opportunities not only to expand trade, but also to launch joint projects, localize production and introduce advanced technologies, primarily in logistics, water management, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and energy, where Danish companies are recognized leaders. Our task is to create conditions under which business interest translates into concrete, long-term projects in Kazakhstan,” said Ardak Zebeshev.The key practical outcome of the forum for JSC “NC “KAZAKH INVEST” was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI). The document was signed by Ulbolsyn Sarybayeva, Overseas Representative of NC KAZAKH INVEST JSC, and Jens Holst-Nielsen, Global Market Development Director of DI. The Memorandum will enable direct engagement with the Danish business community, the exchange of promising projects and support for companies interested in developing their business in Kazakhstan.MAERSK, Novo Nordisk, FLSmidth, Scan Global Logistics, Byteall Energy, Grundfos, DanBred and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) presented their solutions in logistics, pharmaceuticals, water technologies, energy and agriculture. Participants paid particular attention to opportunities for localizing production and developing industrial cooperation in Kazakhstan.A clear example of successful Danish investment in Kazakhstan is the Carlsberg Group soft drinks plant opened on the same day in the village of Boraldai, Almaty Region. Investment in the project amounted to USD 344 million, with a design capacity of approximately 1 billion liters per year and more than 230 jobs created. The opening ceremony was attended by Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ardak Zebeshev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and representatives of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Following the forum, “NC “KAZAKH INVEST” JSC together with relevant government agencies and regional authorities, will continue working with interested Danish companies. Promising initiatives will be supported at the project level, from identifying local partners and project sites to developing state support measures, financing mechanisms and localization opportunities.