Kazakhstan bolsters position as key link in Eurasian trade, logistics
With the support of Kazakhstan’s diplomatic missions in Switzerland the Kazakhstan Commodity Forum was held in Geneva on June 11, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Kazakh MFA press service.
The event brought together around 200 participants, including representatives of government institutions, Swiss and international financial organizations, as well as leading global companies operating in commodity trading, energy, agriculture, transport, and logistics, such as Gunvor, Mercuria, Fracht Group, MSC, SOCAR, COFCO, ADM, Louis Dreyfus Company, Cargill, ESM Foundation, and others.
Opening the forum, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Switzerland Kairat Sarzhanov highlighted the importance of ongoing institutional reforms in Kazakhstan, including the adoption of the new Constitution. He emphasized their role in strengthening the rule of law, enhancing transparency in public governance, and reinforcing investor rights protection. He also underlined the steady growth of bilateral economic engagement as a key indicator of foreign partners’ confidence and the attractiveness of Kazakhstan’s business environment. In 2025, trade between Kazakhstan and Switzerland reached 1.5 billion USD, while cumulative Swiss direct investment in Kazakhstan exceeded 36 billion USD, making Switzerland the third-largest foreign investor in the country. The Ambassador noted significant potential for further cooperation, stressing that amid the transformation of global supply chains, Kazakhstan offers substantial strategic resources, reliable infrastructure, and broad opportunities for long-term partnerships.
In turn, the Director General of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vincent Subilia highlighted sustained Swiss business interest in Kazakhstan, evidenced by the presence of around 400 companies with Swiss capital operating in the country across key sectors, including mining, energy, transport, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and financial services.
During the forum, representatives of Kazakhstan’s national companies, including Baiterek National Managing Holding, KazMunayGas, Food Corporation of Kazakhstan, as well as the National Association of Oilseed Processors, presented effective approaches to developing high value-added production, expanding export opportunities, and implementing joint investment projects.
Participants in the panel discussions noted Kazakhstan’s growing role as a reliable partner in energy, logistics, and strategic resource supply. Particular interest was given to the modernization of the agro-industrial sector, expansion of export potential, development of processing industries, and integration into international production and logistics chains.
The forum served as an effective platform for substantive and constructive exchange on expanding trade and investment cooperation in energy, metallurgy, agriculture, and transport and infrastructure development. The strong representation of leading companies and positive feedback from participants confirmed the high level of Swiss business interest in Kazakhstan.
The initiative to organize the Kazakhstan Commodity Forum was led by the Commodity Trading Club, with financial support provided by Harvest Agro.
As Qazinform News Agency reported, the European Parliament hosted a roundtable discussion entitled “Kazakhstan’s New Political Modernization and the Future of the Kazakhstan–EU Strategic Partnership.”
