Kazakh-German Business Council Meeting Held in Astana

On May 20, the 16th meeting of the Kazakh-German Business Council took place with the participation of the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Roman Sklyar. The event was attended by the management of Baiterek National Managing Holding, representatives of relevant ministries, and leading figures from the Kazakh business community. The discussions focused on the current state and future prospects of bilateral economic cooperation.

“Our platform is indeed in high demand and proves to be very useful. Such meetings allow both sides to ‘synchronize watches,’ identify pressing issues, and discuss joint plans and steps to deepen business cooperation between our countries. It is encouraging to see that the number of participants is steadily growing, and the agenda is becoming increasingly practical,” said Roman Sklyar, Co-Chair of the Council from the Kazakh side, in his opening remarks.

Rustam Karagoishin, Chairman of the Management Board of Baiterek National Managing Holding, emphasized that Kazakh-German relations rightfully occupy a special place in expanding economic and political engagement between Central Asia and Europe.

“Germany, as one of the world’s leading economies, is Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner among European Union countries. At the same time, Kazakhstan ranks among Germany’s top 50 foreign trade partners, placing 43rd by the end of 2024. Furthermore, Kazakhstan is viewed as a key partner of the Federal Republic of Germany in Central Asia, accounting for 83% of Germany’s total trade volume with the region,” stated Rustam Karagoishin, Co-Chair of the Council from the Kazakh side.

Kazakhstan and Germany continue to build their cooperation on a solid investment foundation. Successfully completed projects include the construction of a solar power plant, cement and engineering plants, the launch of a geological exploration laboratory, and other industrial facilities involving companies such as Linde, Heidelberg Materials, CLAAS, Horsch, WIKA, and Zollman.

Kazakhstan considers Germany one of its key partners in implementing its strategic priorities — particularly in sectors that enable high value-added production and technological collaboration. These include manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, metallurgy, chemical industry, and the agro-industrial complex.

Cooperation with Germany is especially relevant in the development of high-tech and sustainable solutions aimed at modernizing the energy sector, driving digital transformation, and implementing innovations in industrial production. In this context, Baiterek Holding, acting as an institutional bridge, is ready to offer joint financing tools — from co-investment to guarantee mechanisms — to support such projects. These intersections of economic interests and strategic objectives provide real and scalable opportunities for long-term partnership with Germany.

During the meeting, documents were signed to promote industrial cooperation, technological partnership, and the implementation of joint investment projects. These included memorandums of understanding between Baiterek National Managing Holding and KfW Development Bank, between Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. and IMI zimmermann & jansen technologies gmbh, a cooperation agreement between Zhezkazganredmet State Enterprise and German company DAR Metall AG, as well as key financing terms between Development Bank of Kazakhstan and KfW Development Bank.

Michael Harms, Co-Chair and Managing Director of the German Eastern Business Association, emphasized that the stability and predictability of Kazakhstan’s business climate, along with its readiness for structural reforms and technological partnerships, make the country one of Germany’s key partners in Central Asia.

“German companies see great potential in working with Kazakhstan and are ready to expand their presence in priority economic sectors — from raw material processing to high-tech mechanical engineering,” noted the German Co-Chair of the Council.

Panel sessions were held as part of the Business Council meeting, during which participants discussed ways to strengthen economic ties between Kazakhstan and Germany, as well as mechanisms for financing joint projects. German experts included Per Brodersen, Director General of the German Agribusiness Alliance, and representatives from financial institutions such as KfW Banking Group, KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH, ODDO BHF SE, AKA Bank, and others.

Kazakh speakers included Olzhas Saparbekov, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Meiram Pshembayev, Chairman of the Board of the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Kazakhstan; Nurlan Onzhanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Federal Republic of Germany; and others.

The outcomes of the event were summarized by Yersain Khamitov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Baiterek Holding, who described the dialogue between Kazakh and German businesses as productive.

“Baiterek Holding is always ready to assist joint ventures with Germany in their implementation in Kazakhstan. We welcome German investors, German capital, and German projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Through the memorandums and agreements signed today, we are opening credit lines to attract investments. Investment projects in mechanical engineering, energy, and renewable energy sources are already being implemented through our institution,” concluded the Deputy Chairman of the Management Board.

In conclusion, the participants expressed confidence that the discussions held would contribute to further development of mutually beneficial cooperation.