Slovak investments in Kazakhstan have reached just over $21mn since independence, with expectations for this figure to rise in the coming years. This growing interest was palpable at the recent Kazakh-Slovak business forum held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, coinciding with the 10th Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation meeting.
Supported by “NC “Kazakh Invest” and the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), the event attracted over 80 representatives from leading Kazakh and Slovak companies. The forum centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation in key economic sectors such as energy, industry, agriculture, transport, logistics, and education. It served as a vital platform for discussing fresh opportunities and fostering connections between the business communities of both nations.
Key speakers from Kazakhstan included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko, Chairman of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan NCE “Atameken” Murat Karimsakov, and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest Madiyar Sultanbek. They highlighted the importance of the event in strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and Slovakia.
Opening the plenary session, Deputy Minister Vassilenko expressed gratitude to the forum’s organizers and participants, emphasizing Slovakia’s keen interest in expanding comprehensive cooperation with Kazakhstan.
“Kazakhstan is ready to further enhance our mutually beneficial partnership. The significant presence of Kazakhstani entrepreneurs at this forum indicates our serious intentions. I would like to highlight key sectors such as energy, industry, defense, agriculture, transport, logistics, and education,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister also stressed Kazakhstan’s interest in adopting Slovakia’s best practices in water resource management, standardization, and nuclear energy.
Madiyar Sultanbek, Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Invest, provided insights into Kazakhstan’s investment climate, showcasing the country’s appeal to foreign investors.
“We are the largest platform for foreign direct investment in Central Asia, with total investment exceeding $431bn since 1991. In 2023, our GDP was $264bn. With 14 special economic zones offering tax benefits and simplified business conditions, Slovak companies have access to over 200 ready-made investment projects. We invite them to collaborate for mutual success,” he stated.
As the forum concluded, representatives from both countries committed to further strengthening investment cooperation. Numerous bilateral meetings in the B2B format laid the groundwork for specific business projects in the future.
The Kazakh-Slovak business forum marked a step towards fostering new business relationships and exchanging knowledge, highlighting both nations’ aspirations to enhance economic and investment cooperation amid global economic changes.
