ALMATY, Sept 8 –— Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov and Yu Baocai, president of Chinese energy company Sinopec, have discussed cooperation in the oil and gas industry, the Kazakh government said on Friday, reported Sputnik.
"Sinopec is interested in participating in new oil and gas projects in Kazakhstan," the government said in a statement.
The company has contributed to many Kazakh projects, including the modernization of the Atyrau oil refinery, the prime minister said, adding that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had recently ordered the establishment of a strong industrial framework for the country, especially in the oil and gas chemical industries.
"In this regard, the Polyethylene 'anchor' project is an important step towards the development of the petrochemical industry, while its implementation will have a multiplier effect on the country's economy. With Sinopec being one of the world's leaders in the industry, the company's entry into the project as an equal partner is a matter of strategic importance," the Kazakh government quoted Smailov as saying.
Sinopec is also considering participation in other promising projects in Kazakhstan, the statement read, adding that Yu believes Kazakh-Chinese energy cooperation is developing at a good pace.
— Bernama-Sputnik
