Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš, who arrived in Astana on an official visit. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in trade and economic, investment, industrial, energy, transport and logistics, digital, and humanitarian spheres.

Czechia is among Kazakhstan’s significant trade and economic partners in Europe. In 2025, mutual trade turnover reached $705 million, an increase of 13% compared to the previous year, while gross inflow of direct investment from Czechia amounted to $59 million, up 39%.

“In accordance with the instruction of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Government of Kazakhstan is consistently creating conditions to attract investment, technological partnership, and the development of non-resource sectors of the economy. Czechia is a reliable partner for Kazakhstan within the European Union. It is important that our bilateral cooperation finds practical continuation in the form of specific projects in industry, energy, transport logistics, digitalization, and artificial intelligence,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan in the chemical industry, energy, water resources, and other promising areas. One of the strongest foundations of Kazakh-Czech cooperation is industrial collaboration, with an emphasis on developing service hubs and localizing production. Prospects for cooperation on critical mineral resources with a focus on deep processing and technology transfer were considered.

Special attention was paid to energy cooperation and prospects for partnership in the modernization of enterprises with the introduction of environmental technologies and advanced engineering solutions. Opportunities for cooperation in nuclear energy were noted, including within the framework of collaboration between Kazatomprom and ČEZ. Additional potential exists in the fuel cycle services sector, as well as in technological exchange, specialist training, and the implementation of related industrial projects.

Prospects for the development of transport connectivity between Kazakhstan and Czechia were discussed. In the first three months of 2026, the volume of railway transportation amounted to 10,100 tons, an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. In 2025, road transportation exceeded 38,000 tons. Kazakhstan’s geographical location and developing transport infrastructure create opportunities for Czech businesses to access regional markets.

In the field of digitalization, the potential for joint initiatives in GovTech and artificial intelligence development was highlighted. The role of the Astana International Financial Centre as a platform for attracting investment and supporting international business was noted. Czech companies, including the investment fund Wood & Company, are already operating on this platform.

In the development of humanitarian and educational ties, Kazakhstan and Czechia support active academic exchange, inter-university cooperation, and joint cultural projects. In the field of biodiversity protection and environmental initiatives, attention was paid to joint work on the reintroduction of Przewalski’s horses in Kazakhstan, aimed at preserving this unique species.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to strengthen business ties and implement joint projects aimed at developing long-term and mutually beneficial economic partnership between Kazakhstan and Czechia.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Digitalization #Energy #Industry #International Cooperation #Investments #Trade and economic cooperation

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