Kazakhstan, EU boost trade and investment cooperation

Discussions covered the investment climate, harmonization of technical standards and regulatory approaches, customs administration, and the expansion of cooperation in geological exploration and critical mineral resources.

Trade and economic overview

Cooperation with the EU has shown steady dynamics in recent years. In 2025, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and EU countries amounted to $45.2 billion. In the first four months of 2026, the volume of mutual trade reached $12.4 billion, with Kazakh exports amounting to $9.27 billion. The non-resource sector shows qualitative growth; in particular, exports of domestic agricultural products to EU countries increased by 34.3%, reaching $266.2 million.

Kazakhstan's investment climate

Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister focused on the large-scale political and economic transformations being carried out in the country under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. With the adoption of the new Constitution, Kazakhstan is entering a new stage of development aimed at qualitative diversified economic growth and improving the well-being of the population. One of the priority areas of the Government’s work is further improvement of the investment climate.

In accordance with the instructions of the Head of State, Kazakhstan is implementing a proactive investment policy and updating its Concept until 2030. A special visa regime, Altyn Visa, is being introduced to attract investors and highly qualified specialists, the international presence of Kazakh Invest is expanding, and a single investor support center, Kazakhstan Investment House, is being created. To strengthen business protection, the Committee for the Protection of Investors’ Rights operates under the General Prosecutor’s Office, and “Baiterek” has been transformed into a national investment holding.

Olzhas Bektenov noted that Kazakhstan consistently pursues an investment policy based on the principles of openness, predictability, and mutual benefit, and maintains its commitment to constructive dialogue with foreign partners.

“President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches great importance to cooperation with the European Union, and our partnership is currently developing dynamically. Today, the European Union accounts for more than 30% of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade. The total volume of European investments in our country’s economy has exceeded $200 billion. These indicators clearly demonstrate the high level of mutual economic interest between our countries. Kazakhstan remains a reliable and predictable partner of the European Union in matters of energy security, industrial cooperation, and development of transport connectivity,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

Key areas of cooperation

It was noted that cooperation in critical raw materials is actively developing. Attention was paid to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. In the first five months of this year, transit transportation along the route increased by 69%, and the number of vehicles grew by 38%. Kazakhstan views the Middle Corridor as one of the key areas of interaction with the European Union and is interested in further promoting the Global Gateway initiative. The Kazakh side also stands for advancing dialogue on visa regime simplification.

Proposals

During the meeting, reports and proposals were delivered by the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aleška Simkič; Chargé d’Affaires of Germany, Ulrich Kinne; Deputy Chairman of the European Business Association of Kazakhstan (EUROBAK), Dias Assanov; General Director of Confindustria Central Asia and Caucasus, Livio Mazzuccolo; and Managing Director of Xcalibur Smart Mapping, Said Sultanov.

EU Ambassador Aleška Simkič touched upon issues of intellectual property rights protection, application of norms for the protection of pharmaceutical research data, improvement of customs administration, uniform application of technical regulations, and further increasing the transparency of the regulatory environment.

Chargé d’Affaires of Germany Ulrich Kinne raised the issue of expanding and deepening economic relations through systematic harmonization of technical standards. The importance of further convergence of approaches in the field of technical regulation, standardization, metrology, accreditation, and conformity assessment was noted, which will strengthen trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and the European Union.

Deputy Chairman of the European Business Association of Kazakhstan (EUROBAK), Dias Assanov, focused on the importance of a predictable legal and regulatory environment and further strengthening foreign investors’ trust in the regulatory policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

General Director of Confindustria Central Asia and Caucasus, Livio Mazzuccolo, voiced the Italian side’s proposals on tax and customs administration issues, as well as ensuring the predictability of the regulatory environment for investors.

Managing Director of the Spanish company Xcalibur Smart Mapping, Said Sultanov, presented a project in the field of critical raw materials on the introduction of modern geoscience, modernization of geological infrastructure, and conducting high-precision airborne geophysical surveys.

Kazakh government's response

The issues raised were commented on by representatives of Kazakhstan’s state bodies. Minister of Finance Madi Takiyev provided explanations on customs administration and the application of the risk management system. It was noted that large-scale digitalization of the industry is being carried out to ensure transparency and uniformity of customs procedures. The modernization of nine automobile checkpoints on the country’s external borders has been completed, and mechanisms for automated control and electronic declaration are being introduced.

Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration Asset Nussupov reported on the work being carried out to improve the technical regulation system and product conformity assessment procedures. It was noted that, following consultations with EUROBAK, proposals have been prepared to simplify the procedures for issuing product identification acts, expand business participation in the development of technical regulations, and improve the operation of the e-KTRM information system.

Minister of Justice Yerlan Sarsembayev gave detailed explanations on intellectual property rights protection and exclusivity of pharmaceutical data. It was emphasized that Kazakhstan, as a full member of the WTO, strictly fulfills its international obligations: national legislation, including the Code on the Health of the People, clearly guarantees six-year protection for confidential information and data of preclinical and clinical trials of medicines, without allowing their disclosure or commercial use without the applicant’s consent.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction, Iran Sharkhan, presented the position on industrial cooperation, development of the mineral resource base, and interaction in critical materials.

Comments on their areas were also provided by Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Saken Sarsenov, Deputy Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov.

Next steps

Following the meeting, Olzhas Bektenov instructed ministers and heads of national companies to hold bilateral consultations with European partners on each issue to make mutually beneficial decisions. The Government of Kazakhstan aims to maintain the most open, transparent, and constructive dialogue with the European business community and is ready to provide comprehensive support in implementing new breakthrough investment projects.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that Kazakhstan was granted observer status at the Committee of the Council of Europe Convention 108 on the Protection of Individuals concerning Automatic Processing of Personal Data.