Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov met with Anke Rehlinger, President of the Bundesrat of Germany, during her official visit to Kazakhstan, to discuss the expansion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The talks focused on deepening collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including energy, metallurgy, industrial development, logistics, and digital technologies. Both sides emphasized the importance of fulfilling agreements previously reached at the level of their heads of state.
Kazakhstan remains Germany’s top economic partner in Central Asia, accounting for 81% of Germany’s total trade with the region. In 2024, bilateral trade rose by 5.9% to nearly $4bn, with Kazakhstani exports increasing by 56.8% to $1.2bn.
Investment cooperation was a key area of focus. Since 2005, German firms have invested approximately $7.2bn in Kazakhstan, with over 90% directed into the non-resource sectors such as manufacturing, chemicals, construction materials, transport, and agriculture.
The joint investment portfolio includes 65 projects valued at more than $54.4bn. Currently, around 1,100 enterprises with German capital operate in Kazakhstan, and 32 investment projects worth over $1.1bn have been successfully implemented.
Energy remains central to the bilateral partnership. Kazakhstan is the third-largest supplier of oil to Germany, exporting 10.6mn tonnes in 2024. Discussions also explored further cooperation in hydrogen and renewable energy, mineral development, and the establishment of high-tech industrial clusters.
“Our goal is to build a strong industrial foundation and ensure economic self-sufficiency,” said Prime Minister Bektenov. “Kazakhstan offers a range of incentives for foreign investors, from tax breaks to customs preferences, along with access to diversified energy sources, abundant natural resources, and strategic transport corridors.”
Rehlinger underlined Germany’s strategic interest in Kazakhstan as a key regional partner.
“We view your country with great interest as a key partner for us in Central Asia,” said Rehlinger. “Expanding economic cooperation is of great importance to us. We see Kazakhstan primarily as a good partner.”
Transport and logistics were highlighted as critical for enhancing trade flows. In 2024, over 4.5mn tonnes of cargo moved through the Middle Corridor to Europe, including Germany. Both sides noted the significance of upgrading Kazakhstan’s transport infrastructure to meet growing demand and support wider EU interests.
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