Kazakhstan is increasingly positioning itself as a key pharmaceutical hub for Central Asia and the Caucasus. This trend was clearly reflected during meetings held by the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Slovenia, Altay Abibullayev, with the leadership of Slovenia’s world-famous pharmaceutical companies KRKA and Lek–Sandoz. The discussions focused on the current state and future prospects of bilateral investment cooperation, as well as on expanding the presence of advanced Slovenian medicines in the Kazakh market, DKNews.kz reports.
These talks went far beyond routine diplomacy. In essence, they outlined a long-term vision in which Kazakhstan is viewed not merely as a destination market, but as a strategic platform for regional expansion.
Trade Turnover and a Strategic Role
During the meetings, the Ambassador noted that amid growing business activity and institutional mechanisms supporting investment and foreign economic cooperation, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Slovenia has reached around 170 million euros. A significant share of this volume is generated by KRKA and Lek–Sandoz, highlighting their system-forming role in bilateral economic relations.
Special emphasis was placed on Kazakhstan’s role as a regional hub for Central Asia and the Caucasus. Thanks to harmonized registration and regulatory procedures, pharmaceutical companies operating in Kazakhstan gain opportunities to scale their presence into neighboring markets, using the country as a springboard for wider regional outreach.
KRKA: Scale, Innovation and Global Reach
KRKA’s leadership presented the Ambassador with one of the most modern and advanced pharmaceutical plants in Europe. They also shared detailed insights into the company’s global structure, which spans 70 countries, and its significant investments in research and development, amounting to 185 million euros.
By the end of 2025, KRKA’s turnover reached 2.05 billion euros, marking a 7 percent increase compared to 2024. The company employs around 13,000 people worldwide, including 103 employees in Kazakhstan. Looking ahead, KRKA plans to produce more than 300 billion tablets in 2026, underscoring the industrial scale of its operations.
Particular attention was given to the development of operational and commercial activities in Kazakhstan, including expanded marketing efforts and closer professional cooperation with the medical community.
Lek–Sandoz: Localization and Investment Security
Negotiations with Lek–Sandoz focused on regulatory conditions and access to the Kazakh market. The discussions covered participation in government and corporate procurement, as well as opportunities to deepen investment cooperation.
Among the key topics were prospects for localizing production in Kazakhstan, making use of special economic zones, and applying instruments of the Astana International Financial Center to enhance predictability and strengthen investor protection. Lek–Sandoz currently employs about 23,000 people globally, invests around 100 million euros in research and development, and reported a turnover of 530 million euros by the end of 2025.
Digitalization, AI and the Pharma of the Future
Ambassador Abibullayev invited the management of both companies to take an active part in the “AI&Digital Bridge” Business Forum in Ljubljana on March 12, as well as the meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on March 13. These platforms are expected to focus on innovation, digital solutions and the application of artificial intelligence in industry and the pharmaceutical sector.
The companies also expressed interest in participating in the Kazakhstan Pharmaceutical Forum, scheduled to take place in Turkestan on March 4–5, 2026.
A Long-Term Strategic Bet
Both KRKA and Lek–Sandoz confirmed their strong interest in deepening strategic economic partnership with Kazakhstan, expanding their investment presence, and developing a practical roadmap for cooperation. The emphasis is on long-term sustainability, technological advancement and mutual economic benefit.
For Kazakhstan, these discussions signal more than increased imports of high-quality medicines. They point to technology transfer, potential localization of production, and the country’s growing role as a pharmaceutical center for the wider region. For European companies, Kazakhstan offers a stable, scalable and strategically located platform for future growth.
