Developing Kazakh-Kenyan Bilateral Relations
During the state visit of the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, to Astana, a Kazakhstan-Kenya business forum was held, aimed at strengthening investment cooperation and bilateral economic interaction between the countries.
The event's program included panel sessions on "Catalyzing Kazakhstan-Kenya Trade Relations: Leveraging Fintech and Digital Infrastructure" and "Transport and Logistics Systems as Enablers for Trade & Investment." Speaking on behalf of Kazakhstan at the event were Gabidulla Ospankulov, Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan; Ainur Amirbekova, Managing Director for Export Development at the QazTrade Trade Policy Development Center; Daniyar Meirbekov, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Investment at the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Talgat Bisembayev, Director of TransAsia Logistics LLP; Yerzhan Tastanbekov, founder of the Zebra coffee chain; and Renat Bekturov, Managing Director of the Astana International Financial Center.
In his welcoming speech, the Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted a 20% increase in bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Kenya by 2025.
Gabidulla Ospankulov highlighted promising areas for developing mutually beneficial cooperation in energy and industry, agriculture, transport and logistics, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. "Kazakhstan is demonstrating sustainable growth in its agro-industrial complex, achieving the strategic goals set by the head of state. In recent years, we have significantly increased agricultural production, including grains, oilseeds, meat, dairy products, and processed goods," he emphasized.
Representing the Kenyan side, speakers included John Mwenda, Director General of the Kenya Investment Authority; Mustapha Ramadhan, Vice President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI); George Okoyo, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tea Development Agency; Daniel Mainda, Director General of the Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority (NIFCA); Washington Okoth, Secretary for Digital Infrastructure at the Department of State for ICT and Digital Economy; Celestine Rono, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA); and Daniel Gatira, Chief Operating Officer of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
The forum became a key platform for discussing the prospects and development of investment, trade, and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Kenya. It also brought together representatives of the business community and government agencies of both countries, representing sectors such as trade, agribusiness, agriculture, logistics, financial technology, and digital infrastructure.
The event included a series of bilateral meetings and a document signing ceremony, including a Memorandum of Understanding between Kazakh Invest NC JSC and Kenya Investment Authority, a Memorandum of Understanding between QazTrade Trade Policy Development Center JSC and the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Diplomatic Service Academy of the Republic of Kenya, and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The aforementioned documents are aimed at developing Kazakh-Kenyan relations and cooperation in the areas of investment, trade and economic relations, and education.
