Kazakhstan-German Business Council meeting held in Astana
Images | primeminister.kz
The 16th meeting of the Kazakhstan-German Business Council took place in Astana with the participation of First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar. The event brought together representatives of key ministries, leadership of Baiterek National Managing Holding, and leading members of the Kazakhstan business community. The main focus of the meeting was the current state and future prospects of bilateral economic cooperation, primeminister.kz reports.
Our platform is in high demand and has proven to be very effective. Meetings like this allow both sides to align their agendas, identify pressing issues, and discuss concrete plans to deepen cooperation between the business communities of our two countries. It is encouraging to see the circle of participants continuously expanding and the agenda becoming increasingly practical," Roman Sklyar stated in his opening remarks.
Rustam Karagoishin, Chairman of the Board of Baiterek Holding, highlighted that Kazakh-German relations play a key role in strengthening economic and political ties between Central Asia and Europe.
Germany, as one of the world’s leading economies, is Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner among EU countries. At the same time, Kazakhstan ranks among Germany’s top 50 external trade partners, holding 43rd position in 2024. In addition, Kazakhstan is considered a key partner for Germany in Central Asia, accounting for 83 % of Germany’s total trade with the region," Rustam Karagoishin said.
Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany continues to develop on a solid investment foundation. Successful projects include the construction of a solar power park, cement and machinery plants, the launch of a geological exploration laboratory, and other industrial facilities with the participation of companies such as Linde, Heidelberg Materials, CLAAS, Horsch, WIKA, and Zollmann.
Kazakhstan views Germany as a strategic partner in achieving its national priorities, particularly in sectors with high added value and opportunities for technological cooperation. These include manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, metallurgy, chemical industry, and the agro-industrial complex.
Partnership with Germany is especially relevant in developing high-tech and sustainable solutions aimed at energy modernization, digital transformation, and innovation in industrial production. In this context, Baiterek Holding, acting as an institutional bridge, stands ready to offer joint financing tools - from co-investment to guarantee mechanisms - for the implementation of such projects. These intersections of economic interest and strategic priorities create scalable and long-term opportunities for partnership with Germany.
Several agreements were signed during the meeting to support industrial cooperation, technological partnerships, and joint investment initiatives. These included a cooperation agreement between Zhezkazganredmet and German company DAR Metall AG, a term sheet between the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and KfW Development Bank, as well as memorandums of understanding between Baiterek Holding and KfW Development Bank, and between Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. and IMI zimmermann & jansen technologies gmbh.
Michael Harms, Managing Director of the German Eastern Business Association, noted that the stability and predictability of Kazakhstan’s business environment, along with its commitment to structural reforms and technological partnerships, make the country one of Germany’s key partners in Central Asia.
German companies see great potential in cooperation with Kazakhstan and are ready to expand their presence in priority sectors - from raw materials processing to high-tech engineering," he emphasized.
The Business Council included panel sessions focused on deepening economic ties between Kazakhstan and Germany and exploring financing mechanisms for joint projects. German experts included Per Brodersen, Director General of the German Agribusiness Alliance, and representatives of financial institutions such as KfW Banking Group, KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH, ODDO BHF SE, AKA Bank, and others.
On the Kazakh side, speakers included Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Olzhas Saparbekov, Chairman of the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Kazakhstan Meiram Pshembayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Federal Republic of Germany Nurlan Onzhanov, and others.
In conclusion, participants expressed confidence that the outcomes of the discussions would contribute to further development of mutually beneficial cooperation.
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relevant news
Tokayev arrives in Saint Petersburg
Images | Akorda
Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov and Governor of Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko welcomed the Kazakh President at the Pulkovo International Airport, Qazinform News Agency learned from the Akorda press service.
Previously we reported that on December 21-22, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is set to visit Saint Petersburg, Russia, to participate in a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and an informal meeting of the CIS Heads of State.
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Participates in the Central Asia–Japan Business Forum
Images | akorda.kz
Alongside the President of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also took part in the event, akorda.kz reports.
The business forum featured sessions on topics such as "Green and Resilience", "Digital Transformation and Connectivity", "Finance, Human Resources, and Social System Development for Business" as well as meetings between business representatives from Central Asia and Japan.
As a result of the official visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the Central Asia–Japan Business Forum, more than 60 documents were signed, totaling $3.72 billion between Kazakhstan and Japanese business entities.
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan Presents Credentials to the President of the United States
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan Presents Credentials to the President of the United States, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Magzhan Ilyassov, presented his credentials to the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, during a formal ceremony at the White House," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
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Tokayev Addresses the First Central Asia-Japan Dialogue Summit
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In his address, the Head of State expressed gratitude to Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi for the initiative to convene today’s historic meeting and for the warm hospitality, akorda.kz reports.
Hosting such an important forum in Tokyo, a global metropolis renowned for its high level of development, is an event of great significance for Kazakhstan and, I believe, for the whole of Central Asia. It is symbolic that Japan, represented by former Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, initiated the establishment of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue. The first meeting at the level of foreign ministers was held in Astana in 2004. This event served as an example for launching similar Central Asia platforms with other major countries," - the President of Kazakhstan stated.
In his view, such summits demonstrate the strengthening of Central Asia’s international agency and its significant role in global processes.
The Kazakh people have always held the history, traditions, and culture of the Japanese people in deep respect. Japanese philosophy is grounded in the values of harmony, restraint, and wisdom, which resonate with the Kazakh people. As early as the 7th century, Prince Shōtoku spoke of harmony as the highest value, calling for unity and cooperation. Japan has entered the historic Reiwa era - the ‘Era of Beautiful Harmony.’ Today’s relations between Japan and the countries of Central Asia are rooted in the distant past when our peoples were united by the Great Silk Road," - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.
The Head of State highlighted Japan's economic successes, which consistently place it at the forefront of scientific, technical, and technological progress, as well as the dynamic development of the Central Asian region, with vast potential for comprehensive international cooperation
The President expressed Kazakhstan's readiness to create the necessary conditions and ensure a favorable investment climate for the successful implementation of joint projects with Japan.
In this context, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shared his vision for promising areas of Kazakh-Japanese cooperation.
During the President of Kazakhstan’s visit to Japan, more than 60 bilateral documents were signed, with a total value exceeding $3.7 billion
First and foremost, greater efforts are needed to intensify trade, economic and investment ties. Last year, bilateral trade reached approximately $2 billion. Kazakhstan supplies the Japanese market with uranium, rare earth metals, as well as oil. Japan has become one of the major investors in Kazakhstan’s economy, with total investments exceeding $8.5 billion. For many years, Kazakhstan has successfully cooperated with leading Japanese corporations and actively supports the activities of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises in our country. I am confident that the outcomes of the Central Asia-Japan Business Forum will help strengthen B2B contacts and lead to concrete agreements on the implementation of new investment projects. As part of my visit to Japan, more than 60 bilateral documents, including commercial agreements totaling over $3.7 billion, have been signed.
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Kazakhstan and UNDP discuss strengthening cooperation and plans for 2026
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Yerzhan Ashikbayev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, met with Katarzyna Wawiernia, the UNDP Permanent Representative in Kazakhstan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The parties discussed the cooperation outcomes in 2025 and outlined the plans for further engagement between Kazakhstan and UNDP.
In particular, they highlighted the adoption of the UNDP Country Programme for Kazakhstan for 2026-2030, the successful presentation of Kazakhstan’s third Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the SDGs at the UN Headquarters in New York in July, as well as the results of cooperation in the fields of healthcare, gender equality, education and others.
The meeting also addressed prospects for expanding cooperation with UNDP through the newly established UN Regional SDG Centre for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, as well as opportunities to scale up the UNDP Regional Development Programme to other regions of the country.
Issues related to climate change, ecology and water resource management, including challenges linked to the Aral Sea, also became an important topic of the discussions ahead of the Regional Environmental Summit scheduled for April. In this context, UNDP representatives announced plans to organize a High-Level Event on the margins of the Summit dedicated to the formation of a regional portfolio of climate and environmental investments for Central Asia.
In addition, the parties discussed UNDP’s participation in activities planned for 2026, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, which officially launched in December at the UN Headquarters in New York.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued joint efforts aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership, advancing priority areas of cooperation, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Kazakhstan and North Macedonia Discussed Prospects for Investment, Trade and Economic Cooperation
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan to North Macedonia Satybaldy Burshakov met with the Director of Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, Refik Xhemaili, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The Kazakh Ambassador briefed the Macedonian side with the political and economic reforms consistently implemented in our country by the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and also informed about the main provisions of the President's State-to-the-Nation Address. Burshakov noted that the conceptual framework of the new Address was the idea of deep digital transformation of the country, diversification and digitalization of the economy, the development of artificial intelligence.
At the meeting, important agreements were emphasized during the working visits of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mutsunski to Astana in May-June of this year. First of all, it is the creation of a business council, the holding of a business forum, and the expansion of bilateral trade.
Having reviewed with interest the Embassy's presentation on attracting foreign investment to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Agency's leadership expressed readiness to assist in promoting the mutually agreed high-level arrangements in the sphere of trade and economic cooperation.
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