Kazakhstan Strengthens Partnership with Iran: Memorandum of Understanding Signed

On December 11, 2025, the Kazakhstan–Iran Business Forum was held in Astana with the participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit. The event served as a key platform for expanding economic ties and strengthening institutional cooperation between the two countries.

The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken” took an active part in the business program of the forum. Chairman of the Presidium of the Chamber Raimbek Batalov signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Atameken and the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, followed by an official exchange of folders. The Memorandum aims to expand business opportunities in both countries, promote cooperation, advance joint initiatives, and strengthen institutional partnership.

Alisher Darkembayev, Director of the Department of Commercial Activities of the Kazakhstan Foreign Trade Chamber, delivered a welcome address at the forum. In his remarks, he emphasized that the restoration and revitalization of the Kazakhstan–Iran Business Council mark a new stage of systematic and strategically grounded cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.

He noted that the Council is becoming a key platform where trust, new partnerships, and real economic projects are formed, and that Kazakhstan and Iran possess significant potential for deepening cooperation — from industrial collaboration and the agro-industrial complex to the development of logistics, energy, digital trade, healthcare and education.

The forum also highlighted that the private sector plays a crucial role as the main driver of innovation and investment. The need to establish transparent and effective support mechanisms for entrepreneurs implementing joint projects was stressed. It was also noted that the activities of the Kazakhstan–Iran Business Council help transform intentions into concrete agreements and initiatives, strengthening the legal and institutional foundations of cooperation between the two countries.

Participation in the business forum and the signing of the Memorandum became an important step for Atameken in developing international economic partnerships and creating additional opportunities for Kazakhstani businesses in Middle Eastern markets.