Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held talks with Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Bandar Al-Khorayef, who arrived in Astana to participate in the Astana Mining & Metallurgy 2026 congress, DKNews.kz reports.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the mining and metallurgical sector and exploring opportunities for joint projects involving critical minerals.
Trade and investment ties continue to grow
Saudi Arabia remains one of Kazakhstan’s key trade and economic partners in the Middle East.
During the meeting, it was noted that strong and trusting relations have been established between the two countries thanks to the support of their leaders.
According to official figures:
- bilateral trade increased by 17% in 2025, reaching $11.7 million
- trade turnover in January–April 2026 grew 2.9 times year-on-year and exceeded $6.1 million
- direct investments from Saudi Arabia into Kazakhstan reached $115.3 million over the past 20 years
The sides also highlighted the importance of two agreements signed in February this year:
- the Agreement on the Establishment of the Kazakhstan–Saudi Coordination Council
- the Agreement on Mutual Encouragement and Protection of Investments
These agreements are expected to create additional opportunities for new investment and business initiatives.
Focus on critical minerals and value-added production
A significant part of the discussions was devoted to cooperation in the mining and metallurgical industry.
The parties explored opportunities for collaboration in:
- geological exploration
- mineral extraction
- mineral processing
- critical minerals development
- high value-added production
The talks reflected growing international interest in critical minerals, which are increasingly important for advanced manufacturing, renewable energy technologies and industrial development.
Astana Mining & Metallurgy provides platform for dialogue
The visit took place on the sidelines of the Astana Mining & Metallurgy 2026 congress, one of the region’s key industry events.
The forum brings together government officials, investors and industry leaders to discuss the future of mining, metallurgy and resource development.
Commitment to deeper partnership
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides confirmed their readiness to strengthen cooperation and expand bilateral projects in the mining and metallurgical sector.
The parties also expressed interest in developing long-term partnerships aimed at unlocking new opportunities in the field of critical minerals.
Why this matters
As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, Kazakhstan is seeking to strengthen international partnerships and attract investment into resource development and processing industries.
Closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia could help support new projects, increase value-added production and further diversify Kazakhstan’s economy while reinforcing economic ties between Central Asia and the Middle East.
