Kazakhstan and Switzerland are preparing to deepen cooperation in investment, energy, technology and artificial intelligence. On October 22, 2026, Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev met Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Bern to discuss new opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation. The negotiations form part of Kazakhstan's broader efforts to attract European investment and technology, supported by the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan.
The meeting followed the 12th session of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, held earlier that day in the Swiss capital, DKNews.kz reports.
The discussions covered agricultural exports, infrastructure, energy, critical raw materials, industrial cooperation and digital technologies. Both countries expressed interest in turning existing agreements into practical projects involving businesses, research institutions and investors.
Swiss President praises Kazakhstan's economic transformation
Guy Parmelin welcomed the development of relations between Kazakhstan and Switzerland, describing Kazakhstan as a reliable and promising partner in Central Asia.
He recalled his visit to Astana in November 2025, when he met President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and participated in the fifth meeting of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Business Council.
According to Parmelin, the agreements reached during that visit provided fresh momentum for bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
The Swiss President also offered a positive assessment of Kazakhstan's political and economic reforms under Tokayev.
He specifically referred to the adoption of Kazakhstan's new Constitution through a nationwide referendum and the establishment of the unicameral Parliament, the Kurultai.
In the Swiss side's assessment, these institutional changes contribute to political stability and improve the country's attractiveness to foreign investors.
Parmelin also highlighted Kazakhstan's economic development and progress in digitalization, identifying both areas as important factors in the country's international competitiveness.
Switzerland remains one of Kazakhstan's major investors
The latest negotiations build on an established economic relationship.
According to previously published Kazakhstan–Switzerland economic data, Swiss investment in Kazakhstan has exceeded $36 billion over approximately two decades, while around 400 companies with Swiss capital operate in the country.
These businesses are active in industries ranging from energy and manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, financial services, transport and infrastructure.
For Kazakhstan, Swiss investment represents an opportunity to attract not only capital but also industrial expertise, modern equipment and management technologies.
The current discussions suggest that the two countries intend to broaden cooperation beyond traditional investment sectors.
Agriculture, energy and critical minerals enter the agenda
During the meeting, Arman Shakkaliyev briefed Guy Parmelin on the results of the 12th session of the Intergovernmental Commission.
The minister identified several areas where Kazakhstan and Switzerland see opportunities for further cooperation:
- Agriculture: expanding exports of Kazakh agricultural products and developing commercial partnerships.
- Infrastructure: attracting technology and investment for modernization projects.
- Energy: exploring industrial cooperation and technological solutions.
- Critical raw materials: developing cooperation in strategically important resources and related industries.
- Digitalization: expanding cooperation in digital technologies and innovation.
- Industrial production: encouraging Swiss companies to participate in joint projects in Kazakhstan.
The agreements reached during the commission meeting provide a framework for further negotiations.
However, the ministerial announcement does not specify new investment amounts, confirmed construction schedules or completed industrial projects resulting directly from the meeting with Parmelin.
Kazakhstan's nuclear research centre signs cooperation roadmap
One of the concrete outcomes highlighted during the talks was the signing of a Roadmap for Cooperation Development between Kazakhstan's National Nuclear Center and Switzerland's NAGRA.
NAGRA is Switzerland's national cooperative responsible for research and planning related to the safe disposal of radioactive waste.
The roadmap creates a framework for developing cooperation between the two organizations.
For Kazakhstan, collaboration with Swiss specialists could support the exchange of technical knowledge and experience in nuclear research and related safety issues.
The precise projects, financing arrangements and implementation timetable were not detailed in the meeting announcement.
The roadmap therefore represents an agreed direction for cooperation rather than confirmation that specific projects have already been implemented.
Geneva AI Summit 2027: Kazakhstan invited into the discussion
Artificial intelligence was another important topic of the meeting.
Guy Parmelin highlighted preparations for the Geneva AI Summit, scheduled for June 21–22, 2027.
The Swiss President expressed interest in Kazakhstan's progress in developing its digital economy and artificial intelligence technologies.
He also voiced confidence that the upcoming summit would provide a platform for exchanging expertise and developing common approaches to the responsible use of AI, including through Kazakhstan's participation.
The discussion reflects the growing international importance of AI governance, technological infrastructure and the economic applications of intelligent systems.
For Kazakhstan, engagement with Swiss research and technology institutions could complement its domestic efforts to develop AI expertise and expand international partnerships.
No separate bilateral AI investment agreement was announced during the Bern meeting.
World Bank cooperation also discussed
Parmelin positively assessed cooperation between Kazakhstan and Switzerland within international financial institutions.
Particular attention was given to the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Bank Group, where Kazakhstan belongs to a constituency led by Switzerland.
This institutional relationship provides an established channel for coordination on international financial and development matters.
Cooperation through multilateral institutions complements bilateral economic ties, allowing the two countries to engage on broader questions involving investment, development financing and economic policy.
What Swiss investment could mean for Kazakhstan's industries
Arman Shakkaliyev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's interest in attracting Swiss investment and technology to priority sectors of the economy.
He invited Swiss companies to explore opportunities for industrial cooperation and the implementation of joint projects in Kazakhstan.
The minister also emphasized the government's readiness to provide comprehensive support to Swiss businesses considering participation in the Kazakh market.
For domestic manufacturers, such partnerships could offer opportunities to adopt advanced technologies, develop new production capabilities and establish connections with international supply chains.
In agriculture, potential cooperation could support access to export markets and modern processing technologies.
In energy and infrastructure, Swiss engineering expertise could contribute to modernization projects, provided commercial agreements and financing are secured.
The practical economic impact will depend on whether the discussions lead to signed contracts, operational investments and sustained business activity.
Astana and Bern aim to turn dialogue into joint projects
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed confidence that implementing the agreements reached at the highest political level and through the Intergovernmental Commission would strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations.
The negotiations in Bern show that Kazakhstan and Switzerland are seeking to develop cooperation across a wider range of industries, including sectors associated with technological modernization and economic diversification.
The immediate results include the nuclear cooperation roadmap and the identification of priority areas for further engagement.
For Kazakhstan, the next stage will involve translating these priorities into commercial agreements and projects that attract investment, expand exports and introduce new technologies.
Earlier, we reported on the $46 million in cooperation agreements reached during the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Business Forum in Zurich, which brought together representatives of approximately 90 Swiss companies. The agreements covered trade, commercial real estate and industrial cooperation, while separate discussions explored Swiss participation in modernizing Kazakhstan's energy and water infrastructure.
