Kazakhstan, Switzerland Sign $46 Million in Business Memorandums as New Cultural Center Opens

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ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Switzerland have signed memorandums of cooperation worth an estimated $46 million following a bilateral business forum in Zurich, while a new Swiss-Kazakh cultural and business center has opened in Schaffhausen to strengthen trade and cultural ties between the two countries.

The agreements were reached during a working visit to Switzerland by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev from Oct. 20 to 22, according to the ministry and QazTrade, Kazakhstan’s trade policy development center.

The forum, organized by QazTrade and Kazakhstan’s Embassy in Switzerland with support from Switzerland Global Enterprise, brought together a delegation of Kazakh manufacturers and entrepreneurs and representatives of nearly 90 Swiss companies.

The memorandums cover cooperation in trade, commercial real estate and manufacturing. During business-to-business meetings, companies from both countries discussed opportunities to supply Kazakh products to the Swiss market, attract investment and launch joint projects.

QazTrade and the Joint Chamber of Commerce also signed a memorandum aimed at strengthening economic ties and cooperation between business communities.

Shakkaliyev presented Kazakhstan’s trade policy and government support measures for exporters, highlighting efforts to increase exports of non-resource products. QazTrade Director General Nurlan Kulbatyrov outlined the country’s trade and investment opportunities and the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, to facilitate trade between Europe and Asia.

New center to promote trade and cultural ties

On Oct. 21, the Swiss-Kazakh Cultural and Business Center opened in Schaffhausen. Established at the initiative of Eurasia Group with support from Kazakhstan’s embassy, the center aims to promote trade, investment and cultural cooperation.

One of its main priorities will be helping Kazakh products enter the Swiss and other international markets, particularly goods from the metallurgical, agricultural, food and chemical industries. The center will also connect Kazakh producers with foreign importers and retail chains, support investment partnerships and promote Kazakhstan’s history and culture.

The opening ceremony was attended by Shakkaliyev, representatives of the authorities of the Canton of Schaffhausen, Kazakhstan’s embassy, QazTrade, businesses from both countries and members of the academic community.

Shakkaliyev highlighted Kazakhstan’s interest in expanding economic cooperation with Switzerland, including attracting technology, developing production expertise and implementing long-term joint projects. Kulbatyrov presented Kazakhstan’s export and investment potential and the support available to domestic producers entering the Swiss market.

Trade and investment cooperation

Bilateral economic ties are supported by substantial investment and trade flows. Swiss investment in Kazakhstan has exceeded $36.5 billion since 2005, while bilateral trade turnover reached $1.5 billion in 2025, according to figures presented by Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Switzerland, Kairat Sarzhanov.

Trade continued to grow in 2026. From January through August, bilateral trade reached $1.12 billion, an increase of 19.3% compared with the same period in 2025.

Eurasia Group, which initiated the new center, operates in Kazakhstan’s agricultural machinery market. Its investments in the country total $88.5 million, including spending on service infrastructure, equipment and workforce training. Since 2025, the company has also organized local production of John Deere agricultural machinery.

During his visit, Shakkaliyev also met with representatives of Switzerland’s export credit agency SERV and Team Switzerland Infrastructure, a platform supporting the international promotion of Swiss infrastructure solutions.

The discussions focused on opportunities for Swiss companies to participate in modernizing Kazakhstan’s energy and utilities infrastructure, including smart electricity grids, energy-efficient heating, digital metering, water treatment and wastewater management. The Swiss side presented export risk insurance and project financing support instruments.

The parties agreed to continue dialogue and facilitate contacts between Swiss companies and relevant Kazakh government bodies and infrastructure operators.

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