Photo: The Presidential Office of Kazakhstan
Trade tripled: Philippe and Mathilde at the state dinner in Astana
President Tokayev hosted a state dinner at the Reception House in Astana on Monday evening. Earlier in the day King Philippe called Kazakhstan a bridge builder, noting that trade between the two countries has almost tripled in less than a decade.
The first day of the Belgian state visit to Kazakhstan ended with a state dinner at Saltanat Saraiy, the Reception House in Astana, where President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
"A bridge builder"
Earlier in the day the King gave a speech during the talks at the presidential palace, and it was clear about why Belgium is looking towards Central Asia.
"Kazakhstan is now at the core of the Middle Corridor, literally in the heart of the region. As a bridge builder, Kazakhstan is more than ever the promoter of dialogue, the rules-based international order and the firm belief in multilateralism as a way to solve disputes", he said.
He added that the country is well equipped: "With a well-educated population, a large middle class and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Kazakhstan is ready to tackle challenges for the future."
From 220 to 765 million euros
The King pointed to the figures to show how fast the relationship has grown. Trade between Belgium and Kazakhstan has almost tripled in less than a decade, from 220 million euros in 2016 to 765 million in 2025.
He has followed the country for a long time. Twenty-four years ago he was at the Baikonur cosmodrome when the Belgian astronaut Frank De Winne returned from the space station, and in 2010 he led Belgium's first economic mission to Kazakhstan. That trip, the King said, ushered in a period of growing relations between the two countries.
The state visit runs until 14 October. The final leg goes to Almaty, the country's largest city.