Kazakhstan is no longer quietly testing Asian markets — it is entering them at full speed.
At the first-ever Kazakhstan–Thailand trade and economic mission held in Bangkok, businesses from the two countries signed agreements worth $101 million, signaling a new phase in economic cooperation between Central Asia and Southeast Asia, DKNews.kz reports.
The event, organized within the Kazakhstan–Thailand Business Forum and alongside the massive THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 exhibition, brought together government officials, exporters, investors, logistics companies, retailers, and major industry players looking for new trade routes and fresh partnerships.
And the numbers already show momentum.
Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Thailand reached $255.1 million in 2025, growing by nearly 8 percent. But the real breakthrough came from Kazakh exports: shipments to Thailand jumped 6.3 times in a single year, reaching $38.6 million.
The trend accelerated even further in 2026.
In just the first three months of the year, trade between the countries surged by 69.2 percent compared to the same period last year. Kazakhstan’s exports to Thailand skyrocketed 22 times, totaling $27.8 million.
Why Thailand Suddenly Matters for Kazakhstan
Thailand has long been one of Southeast Asia’s largest consumer and logistics hubs. For Kazakhstan, gaining a stronger foothold there means more than just export growth — it opens doors to the entire ASEAN market.
At the forum, Thai businesses showed growing interest in Kazakhstan not only as a supplier of products, but also as a strategic transit corridor connecting Asia and Europe.
For Kazakhstan, this is exactly the positioning it has been trying to strengthen in recent years: not just a resource exporter, but a regional logistics and manufacturing bridge.
The Bangkok mission became a practical test of that strategy.
From Flour to IT: What Kazakhstan Wants to Sell
The Kazakh delegation included 20 domestic companies representing industries far beyond raw materials.
Among them were producers of flour, pasta, meat products, dairy goods, confectionery, beverages, cosmetics, household chemicals, petrochemicals, fashion brands, and IT solutions.
Several companies held direct B2B negotiations with Thai distributors, retailers, and importers during the forum. Discussions focused on long-term supply contracts, distribution channels, and joint projects aimed at entering wider Southeast Asian markets.
For many Kazakh businesses, Thailand represents not just another export destination — but a gateway to hundreds of millions of consumers across the region.
A Key Deal Behind the Scenes
One of the major outcomes of the forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between JSC “QazTrade” and the Board of Trade of Thailand.
The agreement is designed to strengthen institutional cooperation, exchange market information, and help businesses from both countries establish direct partnerships faster.
In simple terms: fewer barriers, more contacts, and potentially much larger trade volumes ahead.
Kazakhstan Is Betting Big on Non-Oil Exports
The Bangkok mission also highlighted a broader shift in Kazakhstan’s economic priorities.
For years, officials have talked about diversifying exports beyond oil and metals. Now, the government is increasingly backing food producers, manufacturing companies, and tech businesses seeking international markets.
Trade missions like this are becoming one of the main tools for that strategy.
By connecting exporters directly with foreign buyers and retail networks, Kazakhstan hopes to accelerate the growth of non-commodity exports and reduce dependence on traditional сырьевые sectors.
And judging by the $101 million signed in Bangkok, the approach may already be working.
Why This Story Matters
While global supply chains continue to shift and Asian markets become more competitive, Kazakhstan is trying to secure its place before others do.
The Bangkok forum showed something important: Kazakhstan is no longer approaching Southeast Asia as a distant opportunity. It is treating the region as a priority market.
And if export growth continues at the current pace, Thailand may become one of Kazakhstan’s most important economic partners in Asia much sooner than expected.
