Poland Actively Invests In Kazakhstan Energy Production

Poland and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement, committing the two countries to closer cooperation in the development of energy production and servicing.

Polish Deputy Economy Minister Piotr Naimski told a news conference that the declaration included the implementation of the Odessa-Brody-Plock oil pipeline project, which would bring crude oil from the Ukrainian port city to Poland's Plock refinery and allow Kazakh oil to reach the Baltic states.

He added "it is the will of both countries to participate in the project to the benefit of both sides," and that Poland side wanted Polish firms to be present in the Kazakh crude oil and gas sector.

Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev said the discussion also focused on cooperation in agriculture and launching air connections between the two countries.

According to the Polish economy ministry, Polish businessmen have a growing interest in the Kazakh market. In 2003, Polish firms invested $1.8 million there, which doubled in 2004, and in the first six months of 2005 the value of Polish investment went up to $1.9 million.

There are 100 firms with Polish capital registered in Kazakhstan, most of which are in the oil, construction, transport and production sectors.