From Logistics to Digital Technologies: Kazakhstan and Bulgaria Advance Their Partnership

On 20 October 2026, Sofia hosted the inaugural meeting of the Kazakhstan–Bulgaria Business Council, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Bulgaria, the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event brought together representatives of the two countries’ business communities to discuss trade, investment and technological cooperation.

Opening remarks were delivered by Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Murat Karimsakov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken”, Chairman of the Board of KazCIC and Chairman of the Kazakh section of the Business Council; and Viktor Temirbayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Bulgaria.

In his remarks, Murat Karimsakov noted that the inaugural meeting of the Business Council marks a new stage in practical cooperation between Kazakh and Bulgarian entrepreneurs and contributes to advancing joint projects.

“Our platform is designed to remove information and administrative barriers, facilitate direct contacts and move our trade relations beyond the exchange of raw materials towards deeper technological and investment cooperation,” he emphasised.

Currently, 104 enterprises with Bulgarian capital participation are registered in Kazakhstan, of which 64 are actively operating across various sectors of the economy.

Transport and logistics cooperation was one of the meeting’s key topics. Particular attention was paid to the prospects for integrating Bulgaria’s Black Sea ports of Burgas and Varna with the Middle Corridor. Developing links between Caspian and Black Sea port infrastructure creates additional opportunities for transport between Central Asia and Europe.

Other promising areas discussed included agricultural and food industry cooperation, agricultural processing and digital technologies. The head of KazCIC spoke about a project being developed by the Bulgarian company Lekkerbek together with Shymkentmai to establish a ready-to-eat food production facility in Shymkent using sous-vide technology. Planned investment amounts to approximately USD 20 million.

The sector-focused session featured presentations on the capabilities of the Port of Aktau, Bugin Holding Corp and National Information Technologies JSC. The Bulgarian side also presented its vision for the further development of business ties.

During the event, the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an Agreement on the Establishment of the Business Council. The programme continued with a discussion and B2B negotiations, giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to establish direct contacts and explore prospects for joint work.

KazCIC will continue to facilitate contacts between Kazakh and Bulgarian companies, help identify partners and promote joint business initiatives.