Today in Astana, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin opened the Fifth Meeting of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Business Council.

In his remarks, he noted that Switzerland remains one of the leading investors in the economy of Kazakhstan. Swiss companies operate in the energy sector, mechanical engineering, the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in a number of high-tech fields.

In the first nine months of 2025, bilateral trade turnover amounted to approximately USD 1.1 billion. Kazakhstan is interested in expanding the presence of Swiss businesses in the fields of mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, medicine and biotechnology, digitalisation, transport and logistics infrastructure, and renewable energy sources. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that Kazakhstan is prepared to provide the most favourable conditions possible for investors.

One of the significant cooperation projects is the localisation of passenger railcar production at “Stadler Kazakhstan” in Astana. A contract has been signed for the supply of 557 high-tech railcars, with the first batch expected to be delivered by the end of the current year.

Separately, Serik Zhumangarin noted Kazakhstan’s interest in Switzerland’s experience, particularly that of the city of Lugano, in the development of digital currencies and the application of blockchain technologies.

“Kazakhstan today is a ready platform for the formation of industrial clusters. We are open to creating consortia and deepening technological cooperation,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised.

Following the meeting, the participants signed a number of documents and agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation and enhancing bilateral trade and economic relations across various areas of interaction.

For reference: The Kazakhstan–Switzerland Business Council is a coordination and advisory body established in 2012 to promote cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.

The main objectives of the Business Council are:

• strengthening trade and investment cooperation;
• supporting direct contacts and information exchange between businesses of Kazakhstan and Switzerland;
• eliminating barriers in trade and economic cooperation;
• preparing recommendations for improving business conditions.

Priority areas of cooperation include energy, mechanical engineering, vocational education and training, industrial and municipal waste management, pharmaceuticals, and railway transport.

#International Cooperation #Investments #Serik Zhumangarin

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