Kazakhstan–Slovakia Business Forum Held in Astana with Participation of Heads of Government
The Kazakhstan–Slovakia Business Forum was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the participation of Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico.
The forum focused on expanding bilateral investment cooperation, supporting mutual business interest, and identifying new areas for trade and economic collaboration. Special attention was given to opportunities for joint projects in industry, agriculture, transport, and logistics.
Opening the forum, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov noted that Slovakia is an important partner for Kazakhstan in Central Europe, and that Kazakhstan is committed to developing not only trade but also long-term investment ties. According to him, Slovakia has invested over $20 million in Kazakhstan since 2005, and both sides are now interested in expanding their investment cooperation. Kazakhstan can offer Slovak businesses access to the markets of Central Asia and the broader Eurasian region, while Kazakh companies view Europe, including Slovakia, as a promising direction for localization and technological partnership.
On the Kazakh side, participants included representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, KazakhExport, and senior executives and experts from the national company KAZAKH INVEST. The Slovak side was represented by the Investment and Trade Development Agency SARIO, Slovakia’s Export–Import Bank, and industry-specific associations.
Particular attention at the forum was devoted to the business segment. A high-level delegation of 27 Slovak companies arrived in Astana, representing sectors such as mechanical engineering, agro-processing, water technologies, medical equipment, logistics, and more. Following the official part of the forum, intensive B2B and B2G negotiations were held between business and government representatives of both countries. Participants noted the high level of interest in the joint implementation of investment and trade projects.
Two documents were signed during the forum: a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing, as well as an agreement between PROMA and GreenEcoService.
