Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have discussed expanding trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation during a meeting in Astana between Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov and UK Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia David Reed, DKNews.kz reports.
The talks focused on strengthening economic partnership and preparing for the upcoming session of the bilateral Intergovernmental Commission.
Kazakhstan remains UK’s largest trading partner in Central Asia
During the meeting, the sides highlighted positive growth in bilateral trade and the strong potential for further expansion.
Officials noted that Kazakhstan is currently the United Kingdom’s largest trading partner in Central Asia.
According to the figures presented:
- total UK trade with Central Asia is close to 5 billion pounds sterling
- around 2.7 billion pounds accounts for Kazakhstan
This underlines Kazakhstan’s growing importance in Britain’s regional economic strategy.
Focus on investment and strategic sectors
Particular attention during the talks was given to investment cooperation in several key sectors.
Among them:
- critical minerals
- energy
- infrastructure
- transport and logistics
- financial services
- digitalization
- artificial intelligence
- education
The sides also discussed opportunities for British participation in major industrial and infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan.
Middle Corridor highlighted
The meeting also addressed cooperation on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor.
Officials emphasized Kazakhstan’s strategic geographic position and its role in strengthening resilient supply chains between Europe and Asia.
The corridor is increasingly viewed as an important alternative trade route linking:
- Central Asia
- the Caucasus
- Europe
- Asian markets
British expertise and financing discussed
The parties reviewed opportunities to attract British expertise and financial instruments for projects in Kazakhstan.
The ratified Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was highlighted as an important framework for:
- implementing joint projects
- expanding institutional cooperation
- strengthening long-term economic engagement
Education and innovation ties growing
The sides also noted growing humanitarian and educational cooperation.
Special attention was given to:
- expanding presence of British universities in Kazakhstan
- skills development
- innovation ecosystem growth
Officials described education and innovation as important elements of long-term partnership between the two countries.
Partnership to continue expanding
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed readiness to further deepen strategic partnership and expand bilateral trade.
They also emphasized the importance of practical implementation of previously reached agreements.
Why this matters
The talks reflect Kazakhstan’s broader effort to strengthen ties with major Western economies while developing transport and investment partnerships.
For Kazakhstan, closer cooperation with the UK may support:
- infrastructure modernization
- access to investment and technology
- development of critical minerals sector
- growth of AI and digital industries
- expansion of educational opportunities
For the UK, Kazakhstan remains a key economic and logistics partner in Central Asia.
