A meeting between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and the Vice President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin took place in the Ukimet Uyi building.

The delegations discussed the development of trade and economic relations within the framework of the agreements reached following negotiations with the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Attention was given to the expansion of investment ties, cooperation in industry, agriculture, energy, the digital sphere, transport and logistics, water management, and other areas.

Switzerland is a stable economic partner of Kazakhstan and is among the top fifteen countries in terms of bilateral trade volumes. Over the first nine months of the current year, this figure reached approximately USD 1.1 billion. Last year, mutual trade turnover increased by 26.2 percent and exceeded USD 1.7 billion. The growth of Kazakhstani exports amounted to 30.6 percent.

The parties noted promising areas for the development of investment cooperation. In the first half of 2025, the volume of direct investment from Switzerland into Kazakhstan increased by 34.2 percent, reaching USD 568 million.

In the transport and logistics sector, the potential for cooperation in the development of international routes, seaports, logistics centres, and export–logistics production facilities was discussed. The project for the production of passenger railcars by Stadler Kazakhstan was cited as a successful example. Prospects in the aviation sector were noted in light of Kazakhstan’s ongoing work on the development of aviation hubs.

Industrial cooperation remains a key priority. The pool of joint projects includes several major initiatives worth USD 1.6 billion, creating approximately 3,300 jobs. Technology transfer in industrial sectors holds significant potential.

Given Kazakhstan’s digital agenda, shared interests were identified in the sphere of IT technologies. Potential areas of cooperation include the introduction of artificial intelligence solutions in healthcare, industry, digital infrastructure for “smart” cities, and other fields.

In agriculture, prospects were highlighted for the implementation of joint ventures using advanced Swiss technologies in the processing of dairy products for the production of cheeses and other premium-class dairy goods.

Partnership opportunities in water resource management were discussed, with emphasis on efficient use and the introduction of advanced engineering solutions.

Proposals regarding expanded cooperation in the financial, social, and energy sectors, as well as in supporting small and medium-sized businesses, were presented by President of Economiesuisse Christoph Mäder, Director General of SWISSMEM Stefan Brupbacher, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) Barbara Hayoz, Deputy Director General of Switzerland Global Enterprise Anja Fiedler, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stadler Rail AG Peter Spuhler, President of the Joint Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Marcel Pawlicek, Member of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation and Member of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group Roland Rino Büchel, and Senior Advisor of the Bilateral Cooperation Division for Europe and Central Asia of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of the Swiss Confederation Jochen Jansen.

From the Kazakh side, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayyn Nagaspaev, and Chairman of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” Raimbek Batalov delivered remarks.

Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding practical cooperation and further deepening bilateral relations.

#Olzhas Bektenov #International Cooperation #Investments #Trade and economic cooperation

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