Kazakhstan and EU sign agreements worth nearly $1 billion

President Tokayev highlighted the growth of trade turnover and the strengthening of investment partnerships with the EU / Photo: Akorda

The EU-Kazakhstan Business Roundtable took place in Brussels on June 23. During the event, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the signing of new commercial agreements worth nearly $1 billion.

The president said that signed agreements reflect expanding economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU and further strengthen the practical dimension of their partnership.

Tokayev highlighted that the EU remains Kazakhstan’s largest trade and investment partner, accounting for nearly half of all foreign direct investment in the country. Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the EU exceeded $45 billion in 2025. According to the president, around 4,000 European companies operate in Kazakhstan, including Airbus, Polpharma Group, Air Liquide, Škoda Group and Alstom.

The president also emphasized that over recent years, the country’s economy has been growing steadily, while Kazakhstan has been carrying out large-scale reforms aimed at increasing investment attractiveness.

«The economy of Kazakhstan continues to demonstrate resilience and dynamic growth. Last year, economic growth reached 6.5%. GDP surpassed $305 billion, while this year, according to the IMF outlook, it may reach $360 billion,» Tokayev noted.

According to him, institutional modernization is underway, the protection of investors’ rights is being reinforced, and business-oriented digital infrastructure is being developed. Tokayev highlighted the introduction of a digital investment platform and the Altyn Visa program for international investors.

Considerable attention was paid to the transport sector in his remarks. Over the past 15 years, Kazakhstan has invested more than $35 billion in developing transport and logistics infrastructure, including expanding transit routes and modernizing the ports of Aktau and Kuryk.

Tokayev highlighted that the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route aligns with the European Global Gateway initiative and strengthens Kazakhstan’s role as a key logistical hub between Europe and Asia. According to him, the volume of traffic through the Middle Corridor grew fivefold over six years and continues to grow.

The president also welcomed new agreements between the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, the European Investment Bank, and international financial institutions, signed during the visit, to develop logistical infrastructure.