A joint appearance by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is providing renewed political impetus to the German-Kazakh economic partnership: At the German-Kazakh Business Forum on 29 September at the House of German Business in Berlin, approximately 300 representatives from politics and business will discuss new cooperation projects in industry, energy, raw materials, as well as transport and logistics. The forum is organised by the German Eastern Business Association, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the Delegation of the German Economy for Central Asia (AHK), and the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

"Kazakhstan is Germany’s most important economic partner in Central Asia, accounting for around 80 per cent of our trade with the region. The country offers excellent opportunities for German technology providers and investors and contributes to the diversification of energy and raw material supplies to Europe. The participation of both presidents underlines the strategic importance of our relationship,” says Michael Harms, Managing Director of the German Eastern Business Association. “The challenge now is to turn high political attention into concrete projects and long-term investments."

DIHK President Peter Adrian: "It is a strong signal that both presidents are meeting today at the House of German Business. Kazakhstan is an anchor partner for the German economy in Central Asia – as a market, a reliable source of raw materials and energy, and increasingly in green energy and hydrogen. German companies contribute technology and expertise for this. Through our network of 79 IHKs and the AHK on-site, we support them in turning interest into investments. To achieve this, both sides need reliable and investment-friendly framework conditions."

High-ranking participants include Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Construction Yersain Nagaspaev, Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, and German Minister for Economic Affairs Katharina Reiche. Discussions will focus on new potential for economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of transport, resources, and industry. Following their bilateral meeting at the Federal President's Office, Tokayev and Steinmeier will jointly address representatives of the German and Kazakh business sectors.

At the end of the business forum, following the speeches of the two presidents, a number of new German-Kazakh project cooperations will be presented. The signing of 37 bilateral projects with a total volume of 1.8 billion euros is planned.

Strong growth in bilateral trade

German companies have been active for many years in the world's ninth-largest country by area. Important German-Kazakh cooperation fields include mechanical and plant engineering, agriculture, energy, raw material extraction and processing, logistics, circular economy, and water management. Kazakhstan has experienced annual growth rates of approximately five per cent in recent years. In 2025, German-Kazakh trade reached a volume of around eight billion euros. Germany imported goods worth 5.3 billion euros from Kazakhstan and exported goods worth 2.7 billion euros to the Central Asian country. Based on these figures, there was strong trade growth of more than 25 per cent in the first half of 2026, although this was solely due to imports from Kazakhstan.

A significant part of German imports consists of oil and natural gas. In view of the critical situation in the Gulf and sanctions against Russia, Kazakhstan plays a stabilising role as a supplier for Germany. German exports were dominated by machinery, vehicles, chemical and pharmaceutical products, and electrical equipment. Additionally, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a producer of green energy and, in the future, as an exporter of green hydrogen.

The economic-political exchange with the Central Asian country is developing dynamically and is supported by a close-knit network: In August, the 17th meeting of the German-Kazakh Economic Council was held in Berlin, at which numerous bilateral projects were presented. Via the Berlin Eurasian Club (BEK), three major networking events are organised annually in Berlin, Brussels, and Astana. In April, a large delegation from the German Eastern Business Association met President Tokayev in Kazakhstan's capital to discuss further expansion of bilateral economic relations. With the Delegation of the German Economy for Central Asia (AHK), headquartered in Almaty, there has been a permanent point of contact for German investors in the region for over 30 years.

Organisational Notes

Please note that, due to security and space reasons, no further accreditation for the business forum is possible. German media were able to register for the event via the Federal President's Office last week. The final admission is at 1:30 p.m.

About the organisers

DIHK:
As the umbrella organisation of the 79 Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Germany, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) represents the interests of the German economy at both European and federal levels. It also coordinates the network of approximately 150 German Chambers of Commerce Abroad, delegations, and representations of the German economy in 90 countries. This network advises, supports, and represents German companies worldwide that wish to establish or expand their foreign business, thereby turning national success into international achievements.

German Eastern Business Association:
The German Eastern Business Association e.V. (founded in 1952) promotes German companies in the 29 countries of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. German Eastern trade accounts for about one-fifth of all German foreign trade, making it more significant than trade with the US and China combined. The German Eastern Business Association has around 350 member companies and associations and is supported by five leading associations of the German economy – BDI, BGA, Banking Association, DIHK, and ZDH.

Delegation of the German Economy for Central Asia (AHK):
The Delegation of the German Economy for Central Asia (AHK) is part of the global network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad and promotes economic relations between Germany and the countries of Central Asia. For more than 30 years, it has supported German companies in entering and developing markets in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Furthermore, it serves as a platform for dialogue between business, politics, and institutions in the region.