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UAE + Kazakhstan ink MoU for new data center: The UAE’s Investment Minister Hassan Alsuwaidi has signed an MoU with Kazakhstan’s Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry Minister Bagdat Mussin and National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna Management Board Chairman Nurlan Zhakupov to develop a framework for investment collaboration in data centers and AI projects in Kazakhstan, Wam reported on Friday. “The strategic development of data centers not only enhances [Kazakhstan’s] domestic capabilities but also acts as a magnet for foreign investments,” Zhakupov said. Kazakhstan’s data center market is projected to rise at 6.8% to a market volume of USD 416 mn between 2024 and 2028.
Qatar + Czech Republic eye stronger trade ties: Qatar Chamber Acting General Manager Ali Saeed Bu Sherbak Al Mansouri met with CEO of the Czech Trade Promotion Agency (CzechTrade) Radomil Dolezal to discuss means to boost trade and investment between the two countries, Qatar News Agency reports. Trade between Qatar and the Czech Republic hit QAR 666 mn in 2022, up 10% y-o-y, Al Mansouri said. Al Mansouri suggested increased business visits as a means to boost bilateral trade and Dolezal urged his Qatari counterpart to explore avenues for investments in the Czech Republic.
Saudi Arabia is set to exchange trade delegations with Canada after a five-year hiatus, the Saudi Gazette reported on Friday. The Federation of Saudi Chambers has agreed to set up the Saudi-Canadian Business Council in a bid to strengthen commercial cooperation between the two countries. President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi met with Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jean-Philippe Lento as well as Chairman of the Canadian-Saudi Business Council Jeffrey Steiner in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss boosting bilateral trade and investment ties.
Egypt + Rwanda touch on key transport projects: Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel Al Wazir met with Rwanda’s Ambassador in Cairo Dan Muñoza to discuss two transport initiatives to boost trade between African countries, according to a statement released last week. The first is the Cairo-Cape Town project, spanning 10.2k km long across nine African countries and the second is the Victoria-Mediterranean waterway initiative to connect Lake Victoria with the Mediterranean. The waterway project requires the rehabilitation of the course of the Nile River as well as specialized training centers in river transport, the statement said.
Two railway lines in the works: Qalaa Holdings is also looking to invest in two railway lines in the East African region, the statement notes. The meeting also saw discussions on strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries to boost trade and tap into new markets.
And discusses cooperation with Lithuania: Al-Wazir also met with Lithuanian Ambassador to Cairo Arturas Gailiunas to explore cooperation in the transport sector, according to a statement released last week. The pair discussed expanding cooperation between Lithuania’s Klaipeda Port and Egypt’s Alexandria Port and Port Said to strengthen maritime trade, with an emphasis on investigating ways to reduce the cost of maritime transport between the two countries and boosting bilateral trade via railway lines or ports in neighboring countries.
OTHER DIPLO STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-
- UAE + India discuss cooperation: UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met to discuss furthering cooperation in trade, maritime security, energy, commercial investment, and health. (Wam)
- Rwanda + Algeria to strengthen trade ties: Rwanda’s senate president François Xavier Kalinda met with Algerian Ambassador Mohamed Mellah to discuss signing bilateral trade cooperation agreements. (KT Press)
- KSA + Republic of Kosovo discuss logistics cooperation: KSA Transport and Logistics Services Minister Saleh Al-Jasser met with Republic of Kosovo’s Deputy Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Minister Krashnik Ahmadi to discuss cooperation in transport and logistics. (Statement)
- Morocco joins regional coalition: Morocco has joined the region’s Integrated Industrial Coalition for Sustainable Economic Development, joining existing members the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and Bahrain. The coalition aims to support and develop regional sustainable economic growth. (Statement)
