Kazakhstan seeks to expand non-commodity exports to $52bn
Baku, May 12, AZERTAC
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov participated in the plenary session of the Berne Union, the largest international association of export credit and investment insurers, Kazinform News Agency reported.
Marking a historic first for the Central Asian region, this forum unites over 240 high-level representatives from more than 70 countries, gathering top leadership from export credit agencies, eximbanks, international financial institutions, and global insurance corporations.
In his remarks, Kazakh Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the strategic mission of this convention. Strengthening the country's investment attractiveness is inextricably linked to the development of international trade, transport and logistics potential, and export opportunities - key areas of activity for the members of the Berne Union. Bektenov highlighted that Kazakhstan, led by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is consistently implementing a comprehensive program of political and economic modernization. The new Constitution, adopted through a nationwide referendum, aims to build a Just and Strong Kazakhstan. The participants of the meeting were informed about the ongoing efforts to develop investment, export, and business potential in line with the objectives set by the president. For the state, building a trustworthy dialogue with reliable foreign partners is an essential part of its foreign economic policy.
“The head of our state pays constant, special attention to improving the business climate. Today, Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in the Central Asian region, continues the structural transformation of its national economy. Foreign direct investment has grown by 14.4%, reaching 20.5 billion US dollars, while fixed capital investment has increased by 13, hitting a historic milestone of 43.5 billion US dollars. In 2025, Kazakhstan's foreign trade turnover rose to 144 billion US dollars. The geography and range of Kazakhstani product supplies are expanding. Today, our goods are exported to 127 countries, and the list of active product categories has approached four thousand items,” said Bektenov.
Within the framework of the Trade Policy Concept through 2030, Kazakhstan aims to increase non-commodity exports to 52 billion US dollars. Kazakhstan is actively expanding its network of international free trade agreements, as the UAE, Mongolia, and Indonesia recently joined existing agreements with Vietnam and Serbia. A pivotal role in this architecture is played by the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). The implementation of several large-scale infrastructure projects along this route will facilitate the refinement of transcontinental economic corridors, increase trade turnover, and enhance the socio-economic well-being of the participating nations. Pursuant to the president’s directives, migration policy is being modernized to create optimal conditions for attracting high-quality foreign human capital. This includes the introduction of the Altyn Visa, a specialized visa regime designed for investors and highly qualified professionals. Furthermore, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade representatives and Export Credit Agency offices situated in priority markets are tasked with providing targeted support to enterprises and ensuring a rapid response to the requirements of international commerce. The digital agenda remains a strategic priority, serving as a key driver for enhancing economic competitiveness and establishing a sophisticated infrastructure for business.
“The president pays special attention to the development of artificial intelligence and transforming Kazakhstan into a fully-fledged digital nation. The nationwide Digital Qazaqstan strategy being adopted is aimed at the advanced development of this sector,” stated Bektenov.
A key institution in this effort is the Astana International Financial Centre, which offers unique conditions under English law jurisdiction for the development of green and Islamic financial instruments. The Kazakh Premier invited delegates to collaborate actively, taking advantage of the opportunities created in Kazakhstan for business development, expanding trade relations, and building an investment presence in the region. Effective insurance mechanisms for cross-border transactions are available through the Export Credit Agency. Additionally, the Baiterek Holding provides financing for the implementation of strategic international investment projects in Kazakhstan.
In his speech, President of the Berne Union Yuichiro Akita focused on current trends and the vector of market development amidst changing realities.
“From the era of the Great Silk Road to the present day, Kazakhstan has consistently maintained its status as a key link, positioned at the intersection of global trade flows, investments, and advanced ideas. It is symbolic that we are contemplating new challenges here: today, the global community has once again found itself at a historical crossroads. A fundamentally different architecture of interaction is forming, where export credit agencies are shifting to a more strategic and selective approach. I am confident that the constructive exchange of views within these meetings will create a reliable foundation for developing effective joint solutions,” said Yuichiro Akita.
In 2025, Berne Union members provided roughly 3.7 trillion US dollars in annual insurance coverage, accounting for about 13 percent of global cross-border trade turnover.
The Berne Union plenary session continued with panel sessions on the global economic agenda, investments, and development strategy in Central Asia, as well as finance and innovation issues.
Earlier, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva explained the Government's approach to implementing the Presidential Decree aimed at improving migration policy.
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