The Implementation of a Project of “Prospect Assessment in Raw Materials in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in Supporting the Production of Green Technology for Green Energy and Gems and Jewelry, Contributing to the BCG Economy of Thailand”

On 10 - 16 September 2023 the Royal Thai Embassy in Astana successfully implemented the project of “Prospect Assessment in Raw Materials in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in Supporting the Production of Green Technology for Green Energy and Gems and Jewelry, Contributing to the BCG Economy of Thailand”. The project brought together 8 representatives from Thailand’s government and private sectors, namely, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the Board of Investment, the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, International, Co., Ltd. (EGATi).

During their participation in Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan, between 10 and 13 September 2023, the Thai delegates met with Kazakhstan’s government relevant agencies on natural resources and raw materials and foreign trade and investment promotion, including the Ministry of Energy, Committee of Geology of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure, National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken", International Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan, National Company Kazakh Invest JSC, QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development Centre JSC, Export Insurance Company KazakhExport JSC. The Thai delegates also took part in a business meeting with Kazakhstan's private sector in the field of natural resources and raw materials such as ArcelorMittal Temirtau, Tau-Ken Samruk, Samruk-Energy, Kazakhmys Corporation, Sary-Arka Copper Processing, Kazakhmys, Altynalmas and the Jewelry Dealers Association of Kazakhstan. In exploring the possibility of hydrogen energy cooperation between Thailand and Kazakhstan, the Thai delegation held discussion with the executives of KazMunaiGas (KMG) and researchers from the Department of Alternative Energy of KMG Engineering.

During the visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, between 13 and 16 September 2023, the Thai delegation met with Tajikistan’s government agencies on natural resources and raw materials, and trade and investment promotion between Tajikistan and foreign countries. These agencies include the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Thai delegates also paid a study-visit to a factory of Zirkon enterprise, processing mountain rock into natural decorative stones. Another study-visit of the Thai delegation was to the 304-meter-tall Nurek Dam, which is a hydroelectric power station with an installed capacity of about 3,000 MW.

The project of “Prospect Assessment in Raw Materials in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in Supporting the Production of Green Technology for Green Energy and Gems and Jewelry, Contributing to the BCG Economy of Thailand” has allowed Thailand to gain insight into key raw materials of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, which are crucial for the production of green technology to generate renewable energy, for the contribution to the gems and jewelry industry of Thailand, as well as for the production of green hydrogen. It was also a good opportunity to expand networks and channels of trade and investment between the private sector of Thailand and Kazakhstan, and Thailand and Tajikistan, which will ultimately contribute to the overall increase in the value of trade and investment between Thailand and these two Central Asian countries.