France builds an ever-long-term partnership with Kazakhstan
A relation anchored in mutual trust
For almost twenty years, France and Kazakhstan have nurtured a partnership founded on mutual trust, respect and shared ambition. Since the establishment of our strategic partnership in 2008, our dialogue has steadily grown deeper. High-level meetings between our Heads of State – the last one took place in New-York on September 23rd – have reaffirmed this commitment and illustrate the maturity of a relationship that continues to strengthen year after year.
Our economic ties reflect the solidity of this partnership. France was among the earliest European countries to recognise Kazakhstan’s economic potential, and last year, bilateral trade reached almost 5 billion euros, placing France among Kazakhstan’s top five economic partners. Furthermore, France is one of Kazakhstan’s leading foreign investors. These figures demonstrate the confidence of French companies in Kazakhstan’s long-term development and the country’s central role in the economic architecture of Central Asia.
France’s economic engagement in Kazakhstan is guided by principles of transparency, predictability and mutual benefit. Our objective is not only to develop commercial exchanges, but to also build durable and fair partnerships that contribute to Kazakhstan’s strategic goals, and the growth of its industrial base. This is a cooperation based on results, respect for national priorities, and the belief that long-term prosperity is best achieved through open and balanced collaboration.
Kazakhstan’s importance for Europe and France’s commitment to support its economic transformation
As Kazakhstan accelerates the diversification and modernisation of its economy – whether in industry, digitalisation, agriculture, transport or energy transition – France welcomes these efforts and stands ready to contribute where its expertise aligns with Kazakhstan’s priorities, as a committed and reliable partner. A stable, prosperous and connected Kazakhstan is essential for Europe, acknowledging Kazakhstan’s role as a regional hub and exporter and a key bridge between Europe and Asia.
France is deepening cooperation in sectors where Kazakhstan seeks to diversify and increase local value creation. Going forward, sectors such as health, biotechnologies, and sustainable agriculture offer promising avenues and illustrate the potential for innovation partnerships that benefit both sides.
AFD – a French key actor to accompany Kazakhstani top priorities
The opening of the French Development Agency’s (AFD) office in Astana in 2024 marked a major step forward. The AFD operates in full alignment with Kazakhstan’s development priorities and offers financing without conditionality. Its mandate focuses on sustainable cities, sustainable mining, climate adaptation, water and sanitation, public services and health systems. Through these projects, France seeks to contribute to long-term, inclusive growth across Kazakhstan’s regions.
The success of the 16th Joint Economic Commission
The 16th Franco-Kazakh Joint Economic Commission, held in Paris on December 5th and co-chaired by Minister Nagaspayev, once again highlighted the relevance and effectiveness of our structured dialogue. This format, which has served our two countries for many years, provides a stable framework to put forward further projects of common interest. This latest session delivered significant progress, among which the confirmation of Air Astana’s purchase of 25 Airbus aircrafts; major advances in renewable energy and the signature of major contracts for the Mirny wind powerplant led by TotalEnergies. The Joint Commission witnessed breakthroughs in the fields of water sanitation and heating systems, smart cities and academic trainings.
The projects launched or confirmed this year – whether in wind energy at Mirny, smart city solutions in Taldykorgan, training partnerships between French and Kazakh universities – are engineered to generate concrete benefits for local communities. They support regional development, contribute to job creation, and help strengthen Kazakhstan’s capacity to produce higher value-added goods and services, which in turn contribute to growing Kazakhstan’s export potential. The presence of Alstom and Airbus Helicopters, whose factories in Astana are unique in Central Asia and are capable to supply high value-added machines to the region at large, illustrates this. This cooperative approach reflects our shared objective: to build sustainable opportunities across the country, aligned with Kazakhstan’s priorities.
