The 16th meeting of the Kazakhstan-German Business Council took place in Astana on May 21 with the participation of First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar. The event brought together representatives of key ministries and leading members of Kazakhstan’s business community.
“Our platform is in high demand and has proven to be very effective. Meetings like this allow both sides to align their agendas, identify pressing issues, and discuss concrete plans to deepen cooperation between the business communities of our two countries. It is encouraging to see the circle of participants continuously expanding and the agenda becoming increasingly practical,” Sklyar stated in his opening remarks.
Rustam Karagoishin, Chairman of the Board of Baiterek Holding, highlighted that Kazakh-German relations play a key role in strengthening economic and political ties between Central Asia and Europe.
“Germany, as one of the world’s leading economies, is Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner among EU countries. At the same time, Kazakhstan ranks among Germany’s top 50 external trade partners, holding 43rd position in 2024. In addition, Kazakhstan is considered a key partner for Germany in Central Asia, accounting for 83% of Germany’s total trade with the region,” Karagoishin said.
Successful projects between Kazakhstan and Germany include the construction of a solar power park, cement and machinery plants, the launch of a geological exploration laboratory, and other industrial facilities with the participation of companies such as Linde, Heidelberg Materials, CLAAS, Horsch, WIKA, and Zollmann.
Partnership with Germany is especially relevant in developing high-tech and sustainable solutions aimed at energy modernization, digital transformation, and innovation in industrial production. In this context, Baiterek Holding, acting as an institutional bridge, stands ready to offer joint financing tools — from co-investment to guarantee mechanisms — for the implementation of such projects.
Michael Harms, Managing Director of the German Eastern Business Association, noted that the stability and predictability of Kazakhstan’s business environment make the country one of Germany’s key partners in Central Asia. “German companies see great potential in cooperation with Kazakhstan and are ready to expand their presence in priority sectors — from raw materials processing to high-tech engineering,” he emphasized.
