Kazakhstan and Lithuania Expand Business Cooperation in Logistics, Industry and Investment

A meeting of the Kazakhstan–Lithuania Business Council and a business forum took place in Astana, bringing together representatives of government agencies and business communities from both countries. Participants explored prospects for developing transport routes, increasing bilateral trade, implementing investment projects and introducing technological solutions.

The event was attended by Maksat Kaliakparov, Vice Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the Kazakh section of the Kazakhstan–Lithuania Business Council. The Lithuanian side was represented by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, Ambassador of Lithuania to Kazakhstan Egidijus Navikas, Chairman of the Lithuanian section of the Business Council Romas Austinskas, Director General of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority Algis Latakas, and business representatives.

Addressing the participants, Murat Karimsakov highlighted the importance of systematic dialogue between government agencies and entrepreneurs. The Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Kazakhstan–Lithuania Business Council play an important role in translating the bilateral economic agenda into practical action.

“We need to strengthen our capacity to increase trade not only through the development of transport and logistics, but also through sectors such as industry, digitalisation, agriculture and tourism. Relations between Kazakhstan and Lithuania hold significant potential, and we remain committed to strengthening the partnership between our countries,” Murat Karimsakov emphasised.

Economic cooperation between the two countries continues to show positive momentum. In the first seven months of 2026, bilateral trade increased by 6.4% to USD 78 million. In 2025, investment inflows from Lithuania to Kazakhstan grew by 18%, reaching approximately USD 12 million. Kazakhstan exports mineral resources and products of the mining and manufacturing industries to Lithuania. Lithuanian supplies include machinery, equipment, chemical products and light industry goods.

More than 170 companies with Lithuanian capital are registered in Kazakhstan. They operate in transport and logistics, construction, insurance, manufacturing and real estate. These include Everwest Group, LTG Cargo, Sigma Telas, Libella Bottlers Almaty, Trevio, TL Nika and Cargoline Kazakhstan.

Transport and logistics remain among the key areas of bilateral cooperation. In the first eight months of 2026, rail freight volumes reached 93,000 tonnes. Transit freight amounted to 34,000 tonnes, exceeding the full-year 2025 figure of 25,700 tonnes. Road freight also increased: in the first half of 2026, volumes exceeded 127,000 tonnes, up 61% compared with the same period of the previous year. Transit freight volumes rose 6.3-fold over this period to 60,500 tonnes.

To maintain this positive momentum and ensure unimpeded transit, the head of KazCIC proposed considering an increase in the quota of transport permit forms allocated on a parity basis, alongside the introduction of E-Permit electronic permits. These measures would improve procedural transparency and simplify operations for carriers from both countries.

Cooperation in maritime and port infrastructure is another area of partnership. One example of investment cooperation is the project being implemented by Kazakhstan’s HILL Group in Klaipėda. The company is developing a production complex for re-refining used oils and blending lubricants, with an investment exceeding EUR 100 million. The facility’s designed annual capacity includes blending up to 150,000 tonnes of lubricants and processing up to 60,000 tonnes of used oils. The project will expand opportunities for Kazakh businesses to access markets in the European Union and Northern Europe, strengthening industrial, trade and economic ties between the two countries.

During the business forum, Lithuanian companies presented solutions in freight transport, customs support, transport infrastructure, industrial equipment, digital metering and energy resource management. Kazakh companies also showcased their capabilities. The programme continued with individual B2B meetings aimed at establishing direct business contacts and exploring areas for cooperation.