Kazakhstan is targeting higher-value cooperation. Astana has proposed moving beyond raw-material trade with Canada toward joint production, while expanding talks on nuclear energy, critical minerals and investment, DKNews.kz reports.
The proposals were discussed during a telephone conversation between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu.
The most concrete figure to emerge from the talks is a list of 45 categories of Kazakh goods worth approximately $255 million that could potentially be exported to Canada.
Kazakhstan identifies $255 million in potential exports
More than 160 joint ventures involving Canadian capital currently operate in Kazakhstan. However, both sides believe the existing level of bilateral trade does not reflect the full potential of economic cooperation.
Shakkaliyev proposed moving toward flagship joint projects and developing a Kazakhstan–Canada economic action plan with specific priorities. Trade facilitation, investment and sector-specific cooperation are expected to form its core.
The two sides also discussed initiatives under the “Made with Canada” approach and opportunities to expand the presence of Canadian products in Kazakhstan.
At the same time, Astana wants greater access for Kazakh goods to the Canadian market.
«We have prepared a list of potential Kazakh export goods across 45 product categories totaling approximately $255 million. We are ready to work together with the Canadian side to identify specific mechanisms for promoting these products in the Canadian market. At the same time, Kazakhstan can become an important platform for Canadian partners seeking access to the markets of China and other countries in the region», — Shakkaliyev said.
Canada offers expertise in small modular reactors
Nuclear energy emerged as one of the most significant areas of the talks.
The Canadian side proposed sharing its experience in implementing small modular reactor projects, including the Darlington SMR project, as well as expertise related to CANDU technology.
The two ministers also discussed potential participation by Canadian companies in Kazakhstan’s plans to develop its nuclear energy sector.
This could broaden bilateral cooperation beyond uranium and mining into nuclear technology, power generation projects and industry expertise.
Critical minerals could move beyond extraction
Critical minerals and mining formed another major part of the discussion.
Kazakhstan and Canada both have significant experience in the sector, but the next proposed step is to move from raw-material cooperation toward processing and the production of higher-value goods.
For Kazakhstan, the distinction is significant. The economic value of such cooperation would depend not only on extracting minerals but also on how much processing and manufacturing takes place inside the country.
Canadian technology could help Kazakhstan use less water
Agriculture was also discussed, with particular attention to productivity and resource efficiency.
The two sides considered the use of Canadian agricultural technologies to increase yields while using water and other resources more efficiently. Agricultural processing was identified as another potential area for cooperation.
«Regarding agriculture, Canadian companies in the field of agricultural technologies can help increase yields with less use of fertilizers and water, which will contribute to ensuring your food security», — Sidhu said.
For Kazakhstan, this part of the proposal has a direct practical dimension: increasing agricultural output while reducing the amount of water and fertilizers required to produce it.
Investment protection and firefighting aircraft enter the agenda
The potential cooperation extends beyond mining, nuclear power and agriculture.
Canada expressed readiness to deepen ties in the aerospace sector, including firefighting aviation and the use of relevant Canadian aircraft and technologies.
The two countries also agreed to continue preliminary work on a possible Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, or FIPA.
According to the Canadian side, such a framework could support greater investment cooperation, particularly in mining, agriculture and industries linked to international supply chains.
Kazakhstan positions itself as Canada's gateway to the region
Transport and access to neighboring markets formed another part of the talks.
The two sides discussed using the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route to further diversify foreign trade. Kazakhstan also proposed exploring a broader Canadian economic strategy for Central Asia, drawing on Canada’s experience with its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
This connects directly with Shakkaliyev’s export proposal. Kazakhstan is presenting itself not only as a market for Canadian businesses, but also as a potential platform for reaching China and other economies in the region.
The immediate task is now to turn a wide-ranging agenda into a joint economic plan covering priority sectors, trade facilitation and investment cooperation.
Shakkaliyev invited Sidhu to attend Digital Bridge and the Astana International Forum. The Canadian side, in turn, invited the Kazakh minister to continue discussions in Canada, including at the PDAC mining conference.
The scale of the agenda is broad, but its measurable starting point is already clear: Kazakhstan has identified 45 categories of goods worth around $255 million that it wants to bring to the Canadian market.
