ALMATY— Trade between Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic reached $705 million in 2025, marking a 13% increase year-on-year, as the two countries moved to deepen economic and investment cooperation during high-level talks in Astana on April 28. From L to R: Czech Prime Miister Andrej Babiš and Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.
Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with his Czech counterpart Andrej Babiš, who arrived in the capital on an official visit, to discuss expanding ties across key sectors, including industry, energy, transport, digitalization, and humanitarian cooperation.
Focus on investment and industrial cooperation The Czech Republic remains one of Kazakhstan’s important economic partners in Europe. In addition to growing trade, gross inflows of foreign direct investment from the Czech Republic reached $59 million in 2025, a 39% increase.
“Kazakhstan is consistently creating conditions for attracting investment, fostering technological partnerships, and developing non-resource sectors,” Bektenov said. Both sides emphasized the importance of translating political dialogue into concrete projects, particularly in industrial cooperation, including localization of production and the development of service hubs.
The Czech side expressed interest in expanding collaboration in the chemical industry, energy, water management, and critical minerals, with a focus on deep processing and technology transfer. Energy cooperation featured prominently in the talks, including prospects for modernizing industrial facilities using environmentally friendly technologies and advanced engineering solutions.
Particular attention was given to nuclear energy, including cooperation between Kazatomprom and the Czech energy company ČEZ, as well as opportunities in the nuclear fuel cycle and workforce training. The two sides also discussed strengthening transport connectivity.
In the first three months of 2026, rail cargo volumes reached 10,100 tons, an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. Road transport volumes exceeded 38,000 tons in 2025. Kazakhstan’s geographic position and developing infrastructure were highlighted as key advantages for Czech companies seeking access to broader regional markets.