Unlock the Secrets of Kazakhstan's Booming Trade! Discover how a recent high-profile meeting in Moscow unveiled incredible investment opportunities and economic growth between two nations...

An expanded meeting of the Russian-Kazakh Business Council took place in Moscow at the site of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (TPP RF), showcasing Kazakhstan's trade, economic, tourism, and investment opportunities.

The event, formatted as "Hour of the Ambassador," was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Russia with the support of the TPP RF. Representatives from the business circles and leading commercial companies of Kazakhstan arrived in Moscow to participate, providing the Russian business community with the chance to get answers to pressing questions regarding cooperation with their Kazakh counterparts.

Opening the meeting, TPP RF President Sergey Katyrin stated that currently, around 80 Russian regions collaborate with Kazakhstan.

This was echoed by the Chairman of the Board of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan, Member of the Board – Head of the Secretariat of the Chairman of the Presidium of NPP "Atameken," Murat Karimssakov. He noted that the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia demonstrates stable and confident growth, with Russia accounting for nearly 20% of the Republic's total foreign trade.

"Given the high level of interaction, the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan is ready to provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs from both countries, facilitating mutual promotion of goods and the implementation of joint projects," Murat Karimssakov stated.

For his part, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Russia, Dauren Abaev, expressed satisfaction that over the past 10 years, the volume of mutual trade has doubled, reaching a record figure of $27.7 billion in 2024.

He urged Russian companies to invest in Kazakhstan and reminded them that an Investment Headquarters has been established under the Government of Kazakhstan, whose decisions are mandatory for execution.

Azizkhan Kudabekov, Project Manager at JSC "NC "KAZAKH INVEST," discussed guarantees and preferences for investors. In particular, the Investment Agreement provides for legislative stability for 25 years and tax benefits. Regarding cooperation with Russia, he mentioned that 43 projects worth $4.5 billion and creating 12,100 jobs are currently being supported.

Zhanna Diyarova, Director for Support and Attraction of Participants at the International Financial Center "Astana," highlighted the advantages of the center. Among them are a flexible legal regime, stability and transparency in the financial market, fair law enforcement and dispute resolution, a wide range of organizational and legal forms for establishing companies, and simplified labor and visa regimes, along with tax benefits.

The positive dynamics of Kazakh-Russian trade turnover opens new opportunities for strengthening cooperation.

Specifically, the Trade Representative of Russia in Kazakhstan, Anton Loginov, pointed out that products complement each other beneficially during times of shortages or sharp price spikes. For instance, in 2024, Russia supplied aviation fuel to Kazakhstan, while Russian retail chains received over a million eggs in return.

Regional Director of JSC "Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan" (KAZAKHEXPORT) in Russia, Vasily Alpatov, shared data indicating that by the end of 2024, support for Kazakh exporters reached 337 billion tenge, with a significant portion directed towards Russia.

Khalel Akimzhanov, Head of the Investment and Entrepreneurial Development Department of Astana, noted the positive dynamics of trade turnover between the capital and Russian regions. By the end of 2024, the figure reached $5.7 billion. "There are over 4,000 legal entities with Russian capital operating in Astana. Major projects with Russian participation are being implemented in e-commerce, logistics, construction, light and chemical industries. The establishment of a data storage park zone in Astana may attract Russian digital companies," said K. Akimzhanov.

For his part, Ilya Nazarenko, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kurgan Region, spoke about cooperation with the North Kazakhstan Region, noting that two productive visits have opened promising prospects for strengthening bilateral ties.

Summarizing the event, participants noted that the business communities of Kazakhstan and Russia must do everything possible to enhance cooperation potential while also demonstrating flexibility in responding to emerging challenges amidst serious global issues. They believe that in today's conditions, only close interaction, prompt experience sharing, and joint efforts to eliminate barriers can ensure stability for businesses in both countries.