Kazakhstan has secured $46 million in cooperation agreements. The deals signed following a business forum in Zurich target trade, commercial real estate and industrial cooperation, while Swiss companies are also exploring opportunities to modernize Kazakhstan’s energy and water infrastructure, деп хабарлайды DKNews.kz.

The agreements were reached during the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Business Forum, organized by QazTrade and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Switzerland with support from Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE). The forum took place during Trade and Integration Minister Arman Shakkaliyev’s working visit on October 20–22, 2026.

$46 million in agreements: what Kazakhstan and Switzerland agreed on

The Zurich forum brought together Kazakh manufacturers, entrepreneurs and representatives of approximately 90 Swiss companies.

The outcome was cooperation memoranda with a combined estimated value of $46 million.

The agreements cover three areas: trade, commercial real estate and industrial cooperation.

For Kazakhstan, the commercial focus is significant. The country is seeking to expand exports beyond raw materials and establish direct relationships with European buyers.

The $46 million figure represents the estimated value of the memoranda, rather than confirmed investment already transferred or revenue generated.

The next commercial challenge is turning the agreements into actual contracts, shipments and operating projects.

Swiss companies are looking at Kazakhstan's energy and water systems

Beyond the business forum, another set of discussions could have implications for Kazakhstan’s infrastructure.

Minister Arman Shakkaliyev met with C. Schulze-Bergmann, Director General of Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV), and representatives of Team Switzerland Infrastructure (TSI).

The discussions also involved Switzerland Global Enterprise and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

The Swiss side explored potential participation in projects involving:

These are areas where Swiss technology and engineering expertise could be applied to infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan.

SERV also presented mechanisms for export risk insurance and project finance support.

Such instruments can help manage financial risks associated with international infrastructure contracts. However, no specific financing amounts or confirmed infrastructure contracts were announced following these discussions.

The parties agreed to maintain dialogue and facilitate direct contacts between Swiss businesses, Kazakhstan’s government authorities and infrastructure project operators.

Team Switzerland Infrastructure brings together SECO, SERV, S-GE and industry associations Swissmem, Swissrail and suisse.ing to promote Swiss infrastructure solutions internationally.

Trade between Kazakhstan and Switzerland reaches $1.12 billion

The Zurich agreements come against a backdrop of growing bilateral commerce.

The figures confirm that commercial activity between the two countries was already expanding before the latest business forum.

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration, Kazakh exports to Switzerland reached $820.5 million in the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 15.4%.

The ministry has identified 30 product categories with potential for expanding processed-goods exports to Switzerland.

These include products from metallurgy, food processing, petrochemicals, mechanical engineering and the chemical industry.

Potential exports range from aluminium and rolled steel to sunflower oil, pasta and confectionery.

For Kazakh manufacturers, Switzerland represents an additional market for processed products and an opportunity to build commercial relationships beyond traditional commodity exports.

The Middle Corridor enters the Swiss business agenda

Transportation was another prominent topic in Zurich.

N. Kulbatyrov, Director General of QazTrade JSC, presented Kazakhstan’s investment and export potential and the agency’s instruments for supporting domestic businesses abroad.

He also highlighted the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, widely known as the Middle Corridor.

The route connects Asia and Europe through the Caspian region and offers a transportation option for companies developing trade between the two markets.

For Kazakhstan, expanding interest in this corridor could support its ambition to strengthen its role in Eurasian logistics.

During the forum, Kazakh businesses presented products and investment proposals directly to Swiss counterparts.

Bilateral B2B negotiations focused on entering the Swiss market, attracting investment and developing joint projects.

QazTrade and the Joint Chamber of Commerce (JCC) also signed a memorandum aimed at strengthening business ties and supporting further trade cooperation.

Swiss business interest extends beyond raw materials

S. Lalive d’Epinay, Chief of Corporate Services and Development at Switzerland Global Enterprise, described Kazakhstan as an important economic partner for Switzerland in Central Asia.

She also pointed to growing interest among Swiss companies in the Kazakh market.

Minister Shakkaliyev outlined Kazakhstan’s trade policy and government support measures for exporters, encouraging Swiss businesses to consider importing more Kazakh products.

The discussions in Zurich suggest that bilateral economic cooperation is broadening to include manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure technology and commercial property.

For Kazakhstan, these sectors offer different opportunities: manufacturers can seek buyers, infrastructure operators can engage technology providers, and businesses can establish partnerships with Swiss companies.

The outcomes remain at different stages. The $46 million in memoranda has been announced, while the infrastructure projects discussed with Swiss representatives still require further negotiations.

The wider investment relationship is already substantial. According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, Switzerland has invested more than $36 billion in Kazakhstan over the past two decades, and approximately 400 companies with Swiss capital operate in the country.

Earlier, we reported on Swiss investors’ interest in projects across Kazakhstan’s key economic sectors. The latest negotiations in Zurich add energy networks, water treatment and municipal infrastructure to the areas under discussion.

The immediate result is $46 million in cooperation memoranda. Whether the Zurich meetings lead to new export contracts and financed infrastructure projects will depend on the next stage of negotiations between the companies and institutions involved.