As part of the Kazakhstan-Turkey business forum, the OSTİM Liaison Office, which opened in the Ontustik Industrial Zone in Shymkent, has commenced operations in the OSTİM Organized Industrial Zone. The opening ceremony was attended by Ayan Kolbay, Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ankara; Nuriddin Amankul, Representative of the Kazakhstan State Investment Agency in Turkey; Orhan Aydın, Chairman of the OSTİM Board of Directors; Yaşar Özelge and Behzat Zeydan, Members of the OSTİM Board of Directors; Adem Arıcı, Regional Manager of OSTİM Organized Industrial Zone; Chairmen of Cluster Boards of Directors; and industrialists.
“This is Kazakhstan, that's OSTİM”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, OSTİM Board Chairman Orhan Aydın stated that the opening was very meaningful and also had a spiritual aspect for them. Aydın said, “We were invited to Kazakhstan a week ago. Our dear friend Canseyit Tüymebayev, who previously served as ambassador here, became the Governor of South Kazakhstan Province and started his duties with full authority. He was a friend of OSTİM. We also loved him very much. We had a close relationship with him because of his diligence, practicality, and interest in our region. Therefore, we went to Kazakhstan at his invitation. We were the largest group from Turkey; eight people attended. We said, ‘Let's make this cooperation permanent; let's develop it both materially and spiritually.’ We wanted to ensure that our contact and friendship are not broken, and that we develop this through commercial activities to the benefit of everyone.”
Aydın, noting the effectiveness of the business forum in Shymkent, said: “We also gathered information from there. We hung an exact replica of the Hoca Ahmet Yesevi (HAY) OSTİM sign in the Ontustik District, and we currently have two colleagues working there. They will explore what's happening in Kazakhstan, what's possible, what can be bought, what can be sold, and what investments can be made, and then relay this information to us. We are doing the same thing here. This is Kazakhstan, that's OSTİM, and as a result, we need to do business. Our companies will go there, come here; they will invest and trade, create jobs, and friendships will develop. Those who go there will visit Ahmet Yesevi. We believe, and still believe, that this is very fruitful. Although our sign is small symbolically, it is very significant for us. I hope that our office will be beneficial for OSTİM, for our OSTİM companies, for Ankara, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and the world.”
“It also has sentimental value”
Ayan Kolbay, Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ankara, also pointed to the friendship between the two countries, saying, “I never tire of saying it; because Kazakhstan and Turkey are two brotherly countries, these things will move faster; I strongly believe that. I see sincerity on your side.”
Emphasizing that the office opening was a tangible result of bilateral relations, the Kazakh diplomat said, “We will continue this further. As you know, these are not just economic relations; they also have spiritual value, which is very important. Therefore, I think the opening of this office, the opening of OSTİM's office in Kazakhstan, will make significant contributions. May it be auspicious and successful. I wish you all the best.”
