Kazakhstan-China Trade Reaches US$49 Billion
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Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and China reached US$49 billion in 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to the Akorda presidential press service.
"More than 8,500 Chinese companies are now successfully operating in Kazakhstan. Major joint projects are being implemented across various sectors of the economy, including industry, energy, gas chemicals, mechanical engineering and agriculture," the statement said.
Tokayev noted that cultural and humanitarian ties between the two countries continue to grow stronger each year.
"Last year, Kazakhstan welcomed more than one million Chinese citizens. Cultural centres have opened in the capitals of both countries. Luban Workshops are operating successfully in Kazakhstan. This is further evidence of the friendship and mutual trust that have developed between our two peoples," the president said.
The head of state also highlighted the high level of cooperation between Kazakhstan and China on the international stage. He noted that the two countries share similar positions on global sustainable development and security issues. In particular, they maintain effective cooperation within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and the Central Asia-China format.
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Kazakhstan, EU Discuss Energy Supplies via CPC
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Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas held a telephone conversation.
The two sides discussed cooperation in the energy sector, including prospects for international infrastructure for energy supplies and the operation of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).
According to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, the conversation also covered agreements reached during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Brussels on 23 June.
Kosherbayev and Kallas discussed expanding trade and economic ties, promising areas for cooperation, as well as the schedule of upcoming bilateral and multilateral meetings.
The two sides reaffirmed their interest in further strengthening the partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union.
Earlier, Kazakhstan and Greece discussed the security of oil supplies via the CPC.
Kazakhstan is also considering additional routes for oil exports following temporary restrictions imposed by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium on accepting crude oil.
On 20 July, another attack on a civilian tanker occurred at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s marine terminal, resulting in the suspension of oil loading operations.
In addition, during the night of 30 July, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker NIFFOS SIFNOS, which was loading oil at Single Point Mooring 3 (SPM-3) at the CPC marine terminal, came under a drone attack.
The Isle of Man-flagged tanker MARATHI was also attacked six nautical miles from the CPC marine terminal, in territorial waters, while it was heading to the terminal to take on oil.
Ukraine later agreed to halt attacks on the CPC, Bloomberg reported.
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Kazakhstan, China Move to Deepen Industrial and Energy Cooperation
Kazakhstan and China intend to continue strengthening cooperation in industry, construction and energy. The issue was discussed during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlan Nalibayev and Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin, according to the government’s press service.
"During the meeting, the sides reviewed the current state of Kazakh-Chinese cooperation in industry, construction and energy, the progress of joint initiatives, as well as promising areas for further strengthening cooperation," the statement said.
Nalibayev highlighted the strategic nature of relations between Kazakhstan and China and the significant potential for further developing cooperation between the two countries.
Han Chunlin, in turn, reaffirmed China’s readiness to further develop the mutually beneficial partnership.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the sides agreed to maintain contacts on key issues of bilateral cooperation.
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Belgian Companies Eye Grain Processing Projects in Kazakhstan
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Belgian companies Maselis and Borlix NV are considering cooperation with Kazakhstan in deep grain processing and the production of food ingredients and animal feed, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said following a working visit by Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium Roman Vassilenko to the province of West Flanders.
During meetings with company executives, the sides discussed bringing modern processing technologies to Kazakhstan and potential joint investment projects in the agricultural sector.
According to the Kazakh side, Kazakhstan’s exports to Belgium rose by 48% in 2025 to $311.5 million. Flaxseed was the country’s main export commodity. Belgium remains the largest European market for Kazakh flaxseed, while Kazakhstan ranks as the European Union’s leading supplier of flaxseed.
Vassilenko also highlighted the potential of the Middle Corridor and the use of Antwerp-Bruges port infrastructure to increase exports of Kazakh agricultural products to the EU. During the visit, he toured the Zeebrugge port complex.
The ambassador also met with Blankenberge Mayor Björn Prasse. They discussed cooperation between the Belgian city and Kazakhstan’s tourist regions, including resort management, environmental projects, the development of yachting infrastructure and urban mobility.
The two sides also intend to develop direct ties between regions and municipalities in Kazakhstan and Belgium.
Belgian companies are being considered as potential partners ahead of the first state visit by Belgium’s King Philippe to Kazakhstan, scheduled for autumn 2026.
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Kazakhstan's Economy Grows 4.1% in January-July
Kazakhstan's GDP grew 4.1% year-on-year in January-July 2026, maintaining the same pace of growth recorded in the first half of the year, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of National Statistics.
Economic growth remained resilient despite an 8.9% decline in oil production to 53.2 million tonnes. Kazakhstan's non-resource sector expanded by 5.4% over the seven-month period, according to estimates by the Ministry of National Economy.
Manufacturing output increased by 9%. The strongest growth was recorded in pharmaceuticals at 38.5%, fabricated metal products at 35%, the chemical industry at 26.9%, and machinery manufacturing at 22%.
Food production rose 13.9%, while the production of construction materials increased 9.4%.
Growth was also recorded in construction at 15.3%, transportation and warehousing at 7.4%, trade at 5.9%, agriculture at 5%, and communications at 4.3%.
In previous years, Kazakhstan's economic performance was more heavily dependent on the oil sector, with lower oil production slowing GDP growth and higher output accelerating it.
In recent years, however, the economy's dependence on oil production has declined amid the development of manufacturing and transport infrastructure, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and increased investment in non-resource sectors. Oil production accounted for 7.8% of Kazakhstan's GDP in 2025.
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Kazakhstan Seeks to Strengthen Economic Cooperation with 10 Countries
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Kazakhstan plans to strengthen its trade, economic and investment cooperation with 10 countries, First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlibek Nalibayev said during a government meeting.
The countries are Turkey, China, Azerbaijan, South Korea, Japan, Tajikistan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Turkmenistan.
Nalibayev said the development of mutually beneficial ties with these countries is receiving particular attention from the President of Kazakhstan.
During the meeting, representatives of government agencies and national companies provided updates on ongoing joint projects. Participants discussed key areas of economic cooperation and identified priorities for further engagement.
According to Nalibayev, trade and investment cooperation with international partners plays an important role in Kazakhstan’s industrial and technological development.
Following the meeting, government agencies and relevant organisations were instructed to step up efforts to implement existing agreements and develop new joint initiatives.
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KazMunayGas Boosts Oil and Gas Condensate Output by 10% to 26.2 Million Tonnes
Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas increased its oil and gas condensate production by 10% in 2025 to 26.2 million tonnes. The figures were presented at a meeting of the Samruk-Kazyna Public Council, according to the agency’s correspondent.
"The volume of oil refining in Kazakhstan reached 14.7 million tonnes, an increase of 3.2%," the Samruk-Kazyna press service said.
KazMunayGas also achieved a record level of light petroleum product output in 2025, producing 1.2 million tonnes more than a year earlier.
The company continues to expand its resource base. As part of its geological exploration programme, 23 projects are currently at various stages of preparation. The main focus is on deep-lying formations, underexplored stratigraphic complexes and territories.
According to the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), KazMunayGas remains Kazakhstan’s largest company by market capitalisation, valued at $44.5 billion. As of August 4, 2026, one KazMunayGas share was worth 34,650 tenge, compared with 8,406 tenge at the time of its initial public offering (IPO).
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EAEU Plans to Cut Roaming Call Charges from 2028
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The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), together with telecom operators across the EAEU member states, is working to reduce the cost of mobile services in international roaming.
The bloc plans to introduce fairer rates for roaming voice calls from 2028, EEC Chairman Bakytzhan Sagintayev said following a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council.
"Ultimately, this should lead to tariffs that are as close as possible to domestic rates, meaning a significant reduction in the cost of calls," Sagintayev said.
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EAEU Sets New Rules for Foreign Online Purchases From 2027
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The heads of government of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states have instructed relevant authorities to complete preparations for the introduction of new rules governing cross-border e-commerce from Jan. 1, 2027.
According to the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have already completed the ratification of a protocol amending the EAEU Customs Code Treaty. The document will enter into force once the EEC receives the final instrument of ratification.
EEC Minister in charge of Trade Andrey Slepnev said the key change is the introduction of a separate category for goods purchased through foreign online stores, which will be subject to specific regulatory rules.
In preparation for the changes, EAEU member states are developing the necessary regulatory framework and updating their national legislation and information systems.
Once the new rules take effect, most e-commerce goods will be subject to a uniform customs duty of 5% of their value, but no less than €1 per kilogram. The €200 duty-free threshold will remain in place.
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