Critical Raw Materials, Logistics and Investment: Kazakhstan and Germany Discuss Cooperation Priorities

On 15 June, a meeting was held in Astana between Kanat Sharlapayev, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”, and a delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany led by Ulrich Kinne, Permanent Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Kazakhstan. The parties discussed prospects for expanding trade, economic, investment and industrial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany.

The German delegation included representatives of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA), the Eastern Committee of the German Economy, the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK), Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), the German Energy Agency (DENA), KfW IPEX-Bank, as well as leading German companies operating in industry, logistics, energy, mechanical engineering, infrastructure and mining.

Welcoming the participants, Kanat Sharlapayev highlighted the high level of Kazakhstan-Germany partnership and its significant potential for further development.

"For many years, Kazakhstan and Germany have been building stable, trust-based and deeply integrated economic relations. Germany has traditionally been one of Kazakhstan’s largest and most important trade and economic partners in Europe and among the most significant investors in the regional economy. In 2025, bilateral trade reached USD 4.4 billion, demonstrating a 9.5% increase. Our goal is not only to maintain the current trade volume but also to bring bilateral relations to a fundamentally new strategic level through the development of high-tech industries, industrial cooperation and joint value chains," Kanat Sharlapayev emphasized.

During the meeting, it was noted that Germany remains one of Kazakhstan’s key economic partners within the European Union. In 2025, Kazakhstan’s exports to Germany amounted to USD 1.2 billion, with more than 78% consisting of crude oil. Imports from Germany reached USD 3.1 billion and were primarily represented by high-tech products, including pharmaceuticals, electric generating equipment, industrial machinery and agricultural equipment.

Particular attention was paid to ensuring sustainable supplies of critical raw materials. Kazakhstan was recognized as a reliable producer of strategic metals with significant potential for joint projects in the extraction and processing of critical raw materials, including materials required for modern high-tech industries and the global energy transition.

The participants also discussed prospects for cooperation in energy, mechanical engineering, transport and logistics infrastructure, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and industrial cooperation. Special interest was expressed in projects related to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, modernization of railway infrastructure, implementation of energy-efficient technologies and localization of production in Kazakhstan.

The discussion also emphasized that Kazakhstan continues to be the most attractive investment destination in Central Asia due to systematic efforts to improve the business climate, enhance transport connectivity and protect investors’ rights. Approximately 50% of disputes between businesses and government agencies are resolved in favor of entrepreneurs, demonstrating the transparency and effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms. In addition, the mining sector employs more than 250,000 people and remains one of the key sectors of the national economy.

The meeting was also attended by Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan. He noted that Kazakhstan and Germany have broad opportunities to deepen cooperation between the business communities of the two countries, particularly in industrial cooperation, logistics, raw material processing and attracting investment into non-resource sectors of the economy.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation, developing direct business contacts and implementing new joint projects aimed at strengthening the long-term partnership between Kazakhstan and Germany.