Kazakhstan and Germany have intensified their partnership with a focus on investment ventures the Ministry of Industry and Construction reported. This was highlighted during the inaugural visit of Kazakhstan's Vice-Minister of Industry and Construction, Olzhas Saparbekov, to the city of Erfurt in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Accompanied by representatives from Kazakhstani businesses, Vice-Minister Saparbekov engaged in a series of meetings aimed at bolstering investment opportunities between the two nations.
A notable event during the visit was a business round table dedicated to discussing cooperation in investment projects between Kazakhstan and Thuringia. Vice-Minister Saparbekov emphasized Germany's robust investment activity in key industries, citing the successful implementation of 22 cooperative projects, which included collaborations with renowned entities such as Linde Group and Knauf. Additionally, 22 more investment projects are currently in progress, underscoring the depth of collaboration between the two countries.
The discussions culminated in the signing of four agreements focusing on energy efficiency, vocational education, and road infrastructure within the housing and communal services sector. An agreement was also reached to further cooperation with the Government of Thuringia by establishing a working group.
Looking ahead, the delegation has scheduled meetings with influential bodies within the German economy, including the Eastern Committee of the German Economy and the Federal Union of Small and Central Business Germany, signaling a commitment to fostering stronger ties between Kazakhstani and German businesses.
Germany and Kazakhstan Relations
Since 1992, Germany and Kazakhstan have upheld bilateral relations, with Germany maintaining an embassy in Astana and a consulate general in Almaty. Various consultation formats have been established focusing on political, economic, and cultural cooperation. In 2012, a partnership was formalized between Germany and Kazakhstan in the fields of raw materials, industry, and technology.
Kazakhstan holds a significant position as Germany's primary trading partner in Central Asia. Trade between the two countries amounted to €9.8bn in 2022, with Germany importing goods worth €7bn and exporting goods valued at €2.8bn to Kazakhstan. Presently, around 350 German companies are operational in Kazakhstan, facilitated by the presence of the Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) office in Almaty. Additionally, a German business association and chamber of commerce in Almaty support the activities of German companies in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
In terms of cultural and educational exchanges, the Goethe-Institut and the Central Agency for Schools Abroad are key players in Kazakhstan, with five seconded teachers and 15 Kazakh schools participating in Germany's Schools: Partners for the Future global network. The DAAD sponsors stays in Germany for approximately 90 Kazakh students annually. Notably, the Kazakh-German University (DKU) in Almaty symbolizes a significant collaborative effort in higher education. During Federal President Steinmeier's visit to Kazakhstan in June 2023, a joint declaration of intent was signed to support the Kazakh-German Institute of Engineering at Yessenov University in Aktau.
The substantial population of ethnic Germans who migrated from Kazakhstan to Germany (approximately 800,000) and the German minority in Kazakhstan (about 226,000 as per the 2021 census) serve as a unique link between the two nations.
Furthermore, Kazakhstan actively participates in a variety of regional development cooperation projects initiated by Germany in Central Asia. These programs focus on advancing vocational training systems, fostering good governance, promoting sustainable economic development, environmental conservation, energy efficiency, and disaster prevention. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) maintains offices in both Astana and Almaty to oversee these initiatives.
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