Kazakhstan and Germany Hold Consultations to Boost Trade and Investment

High-Level Discussions on Economic Expansion

On January 26, 2026, Kazakhstan and Germany engaged in political consultations focused on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment. The meeting in Astana brought together Kazakhstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yermek Kosherbayev, and Germany's Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Monica Iversen. The discussions underscored the mutual interest in strengthening economic ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration.

Minister Kosherbayev highlighted the importance of implementing joint investment projects and fostering a more robust business dialogue between the two nations. Ambassador Iversen, in turn, reaffirmed Berlin's commitment to deepening cooperation with Astana, both bilaterally and within international organizations. The agenda also included exchanges of views on current interregional and international issues, alongside topics related to cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

Growing Trade Volume and Strategic Partnerships

The consultations build upon a foundation of significant economic interaction. According to Kazakhstan's Bureau of National Statistics, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Germany reached $3.914 billion from January through November 2025. During this period, Kazakhstan's exports amounted to $1.168 billion, while imports from Germany totaled $2.745 billion.

Germany is recognized as Kazakhstan's largest trading partner within the European Union. In 2024, Kazakhstan ranked 43rd among Germany's global trade partners and accounted for 83% of Germany's trade volume with Central Asia. Earlier, in 2024, bilateral trade was approximately 9.5 billion euro, with German imports from Kazakhstan at around 6.5 billion euro and exports to Kazakhstan at about 3 billion euro. Approximately 400 German companies maintain a presence in Kazakhstan.

Recent Milestones in Bilateral Cooperation

Several high-level engagements and initiatives have marked the strong partnership between Kazakhstan and Germany:

• In September 2024, German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kazakhstan, meeting with President Tokayev and participating in the C5+1 summit. During this visit, a joint declaration of intent was signed to establish a Kazakh-German school in Astana.
• The “Partnering in Business with Germany” program, jointly implemented by Kazakhstan's Ministry of National Economy and Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, was extended until 2028 in October 2025. This program has seen over 800 Kazakhstani entrepreneurs participate in training and business development in Germany.
• A Kazakh-German business meeting in Astana on May 28, 2025, reported bilateral trade in 2024 at about $4 billion, a 6% increase from 2023, with Kazakh exports to Germany rising by 49% to $1.1 billion.
• German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visit in June 2023 included a business forum that yielded 23 bilateral agreements worth $1.7 billion, with a focus on natural resources and energy sectors.

Commitment to Future Collaboration

Both nations continue to emphasize their commitment to strengthening cooperation across various sectors. The regular political consultations and ongoing programs underscore a shared vision for expanded economic partnership, investment opportunities, and cultural exchange, further solidifying the strategic relationship between Kazakhstan and Germany.