(Read the full article on astanatimes.com)

The relations between Kazakhstan and Portugal have been growing gradually, THE ASTANA TIMES reported.

The year of 2019 was definitely a milestone with the foundation of the Kazakh embassy in Lisbon.

As part of the new strategy for Kazakhstan to strengthen its position globally, the main goal is to join the 30 most developed nations by 2050, with key sectors of the economy having been identified as having a relevant role to play in helping the country reach these objectives. The government is focusing on investments in technology with an emphasis on Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) and green technologies, and investments in solar power plants in Turkistan.

In addition to attracting foreign investments and developing its local industry, according to Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Portugal Daulet Batrashev, the country is also looking to deepen its relationship with European Union (EU), which is a key partner with an important impact on the Kazakh economy.

On June 4, Kazakhstan’s Honorary Consulate was inaugurated in the city of Guimarães, in northern Portugal. This consulate will support the Kazakh citizens and spread support to important northern cities such as Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braganca. To support the consulate’s activities, the Portugal-Kazakhstan Business Center called Qazaq Sauda was also created, which promotes the economic relationship between the two countries.

In an interview with the Astana Times, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Guimarães Gil Fernando Vieira spoke more about the benefits of this mutual initiative.