Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov took part in the plenary session of the Berne Union – the world’s largest international association of export credit and investment insurers.

The forum is being held for the first time in the Central Asian region. The session was attended by around 240 delegates from more than 70 countries, including heads of leading export credit agencies, export-import banks, international financial institutions, and global insurance corporations.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the strategic importance of the congress. Strengthening the country’s investment attractiveness is inextricably linked with the development of international trade, transport and logistics potential, and export opportunities — key areas of activity for Berne Union members.

Olzhas Bektenov stressed that under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan is consistently implementing a comprehensive program of political and economic modernization. The new Constitution, adopted by nationwide referendum, is aimed at building a Just and Strong Kazakhstan.

Participants were briefed on the work being carried out to develop investment, export, and business potential in line with the tasks set by the President. For the state, building a trusting dialogue with reliable foreign partners is an integral part of foreign economic policy.

“The Head of our State constantly pays special attention to improving the business climate. Today, Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in Central Asia, continues the structural transformation of its national economy. Foreign direct investment grew by 14.4% and reached $20.5 billion, while investment in fixed capital increased by 13% and hit a record high of $43.5 billion. In 2025, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover grew to $144 billion. The geography and range of Kazakh products are expanding. Today, our goods are exported to 127 countries, and the number of active commodity items has approached 4,000,” Olzhas Bektenov noted.

Under the Trade Policy Concept until 2030, Kazakhstan aims to increase non-resource exports to $52 billion. The country is expanding its network of international free trade agreements. In addition to existing agreements with Vietnam and Serbia, new ones have been added with the UAE, Mongolia, and Indonesia. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route plays a special role in this architecture, where a number of major infrastructure projects are being implemented to improve the system of transcontinental economic corridors, increase trade turnover, and improve the well-being of the population of our countries. On the instruction of the President, migration policy is being improved to create favorable conditions for attracting quality foreign human capital. A special visa regime “Golden Visa” is being introduced for investors and highly qualified specialists. Kazakhstan’s foreign trade representatives and offices of the Export Credit Agency, located in priority markets, are focused on providing targeted support to enterprises and promptly responding to requests from international businesses.

The digital agenda is identified as one of the key areas for increasing the competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s economy and creating modern infrastructure for business.

“Special attention is paid by the President of the country to the development of artificial intelligence and turning Kazakhstan into a full-fledged digital country. The nationwide strategy Digital Qazaqstan, which is being adopted, aims at the advanced development of this sector,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

An important institution in this regard is the Astana International Financial Centre, which offers unique conditions under English common law for the development of green and Islamic financial instruments.

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan invited the delegates to actively cooperate, taking into account the opportunities created in Kazakhstan for business development, expansion of trade relations, and investment presence in the region. Through the Export Credit Agency, effective mechanisms for insuring cross-border transactions are available. Through the Baiterek Holding, financing is provided for the implementation of strategic international investment projects in Kazakhstan.

“We are consolidating financing, insurance, and guarantee instruments into a single support system, the result of which is the creation of new jobs, growth in tax revenues, and the inflow of quality investments. Currently, Baiterek is transitioning to a proactive investment holding model. Together with the Government, a pool of promising projects worth about $170 billion until 2032 has been formed. In the implementation of this large-scale strategy, the role of Berne Union members in providing insurance and co-financing instruments becomes particularly significant,” Rustam Karagoyshin, Chairman of the Board of the National Investment Holding “Baiterek, said.

President of the Berne Union Yuichiro Akita, in his speech, focused on current trends and the direction of market development amid changing realities.

“From the era of the Great Silk Road to the present day, Kazakhstan has consistently maintained its status as a key link, located at the intersection of global trade flows, investments, and cutting-edge ideas. It is symbolic that it is here that we are reflecting on new challenges: today the world community has once again found itself at a historic crossroads. A qualitatively different architecture of interaction is being formed, where export credit agencies are shifting to a more strategic and selective approach. I am confident that the constructive exchange of views during the current meetings will create a solid foundation for developing effective joint solutions,” Berne Union President Yuichiro Akita said.

In 2025, the total volume of insurance coverage provided by Berne Union members amounted to approximately $3.7 trillion annually, covering about 13% of global cross-border trade turnover.

The plenary session of the Berne Union continued in the format of panel sessions on the global economic agenda, investments and development strategy in Central Asia, as well as issues of financing and innovation.

For reference: The Berne Union is the leading international non-profit organization uniting the largest export credit and investment insurers. Founded in 1934 in Bern (Switzerland), the Union is now based in London (United Kingdom). The Organization’s activities are aimed at promoting the development of world trade, introducing international standards in export credit insurance, and creating a platform for interstate exchange of expert experience and information.

JSC Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan is a national development institution specializing in the support and promotion of non-resource exports. The company is part of the structure of the National Investment Holding Baiterek and is a full member of the Prague Club of the Berne Union.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Economy #Finance #International Cooperation #Investments #Logistics #President's instruction

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