05/13/2026
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The spring meeting of the Berne Union (International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers) continues in the capital of Kazakhstan. The third day of the delegates' work was devoted to the issues of medium and long-term insurance (MLT), as well as the activities of the Prague Club Committee, which unites new and developing export credit agencies (ECAs).
"The host of this year's meeting is the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan, which is part of the structure of the National Investment Holding ""Baiterek"", which is not only the organizer of the event, but also the co-chairman of the structures of the Berne Union." This demonstrates the high confidence of the international community in Kazakhstan's financial institutions and their recognition of their expert role in risk management in the Great Silk Road space.
The main event of the day within the framework of the MLT Committee was a panel discussion titled "Is it a strategic milestone for Central Asia?". Participants discussed how geopolitical changes are turning the region into an important hub connecting China, the EU and neighboring markets.
"Deputy Chairman of the Board of ""Baiterek"" Holding Zhandos Shaikhi spoke as the keynote speaker from the receiving side." During the discussion with representatives of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the EBRD, he noted the role of Kazakhstan in strengthening regional ties and attracting investments in the extraction of important minerals and infrastructure projects.
"Today, Central Asia is becoming an increasingly important region for global trade, energy and food security, as well as international logistics. Kazakhstan considers this period not only as a geopolitical moment, but also as an opportunity to pave the way for large-scale economic transformation. We see our country and the region as a future industrial and infrastructure hub between Europe and Asia, Zhandos Shaikhi said."
"Within the framework of the business program of the forum, the Managing Director of ""Baiterek"" Holding Saken Olzhabayev took part in the discussion of the transformation of global trade flows and new approaches to risk management in international trade." "During the discussion, special attention was paid to the growing role of the international transport route of Central Asia and the Trans-Caspian Sea, as well as the transition of export-credit agencies from the traditional model of ""country risk"" to the approach of comprehensive assessment of logistics, sanctions and transactional risks." The participants also discussed the growing interest of international investors in Kazakhstan as a platform for the development of new industries, logistics and non-primary exports.
A meeting of the Prague Club Committee (PCC) was also held. "It was moderated by Deputy Chairman of the PCC and Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC ""Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan"" Ayan Bektybayeva." Within the framework of the meetings of the Committee, the mechanisms of support for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as the introduction of digital technologies were discussed. Delegates noted that ECAs have become "smarter" by introducing more than 70 innovations each year, including artificial intelligence (LLM)-based tools to accelerate underwriting.
At the session "Local exporters and the ecosystem of the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan", Kazakhstani business leaders presented their real cases:
The speakers discussed how the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan helps young companies to enter new markets and manage risks, as well as the role of state institutions in creating a digital ecosystem for exporters.
"As co-chairs and host parties of the Berne Union, we see that the export credit industry is in a stage of transformation. Our task is not only to insure risks, but also to create an intelligent ecosystem of support for exporters. The exchange of experience within the framework of the Prague Club will allow us to quickly adapt the best world practices to stimulate Kazakhstan's non-primary exports, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Export and Credit Agency of Kazakhstan Ayan Bektybayeva said."
In addition, the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan is a candidate for the composition of the Committee on Short-Term Insurance. This is seen as a transition to a qualitatively new level of international integration and recognition of the agency of Kazakhstan as a full-fledged member of the global expert community.
"A separate part of the agenda was devoted to the activities of JSC ""Development Bank of Kazakhstan""." Within the framework of the forum, DBK signed a memorandum with the Korean Trade Insurance Corporation K-SURE. The document provides for the launch of an on-lending program to finance projects related to Korean technologies and investments in Kazakhstan. "Logistics, energy, manufacturing industry and ""green"" technologies were identified as priority areas of cooperation."
Chairman of the Board of the Development Bank of Kazakhstan Marat Elibayev spoke at the session of the MLT Committee and spoke about the mechanisms for insuring political risks in the field of mining and the role of the Bank in attracting private investments in infrastructure and processing projects.
In the first days of the forum, strategic agreements were signed between the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan and major international financial institutions - Türk Eximbank, Saudi EXIM Bank, BAEZ and ASHRA , as well as a plenary session with a series of bilateral meetings in the B2B format. The work of the forum will continue on May 13-14 within the framework of the meetings of the relevant committees and the Prague Club.
As a result of the discussions, it was officially announced that the next meeting of the Union will be hosted in Tokyo (Japan).
