ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Denmark are entering a more dynamic stage of their partnership, with the upcoming visit of Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expected to strengthen political dialogue and expand economic cooperation, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Denmark and Sweden Olzhas Suleimenov told The Astana Times.
Rasmussen’s visit on Oct. 1-2 will combine high-level political engagement with a substantial business agenda. He is expected to meet with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and hold talks with Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, while a Danish business delegation will participate in the Kazakhstan-Denmark Business Forum in Konayev on Oct.
1. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Denmark and Sweden Olzhas Suleimenov. Photo credit: Embassy The visit comes ahead of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Denmark in 2027. “We see it as an opportunity to give fresh momentum to both political dialogue and practical cooperation,” Suleimenov said.
Suleimenov noted that the two countries already have a “solid foundation” for expanding their economic partnership. Denmark has invested nearly $400 million in Kazakhstan since 2005, while Danish companies including Carlsberg, FLSmidth, Novo Nordisk, Danfoss and Maersk are active in the Kazakh market.
One of the most tangible examples of this cooperation is Carlsberg’s new non-alcoholic beverages plant in the Almaty Region. The facility, representing a $344 million investment, is scheduled to officially open on Oct. 1 during the visit and is expected to create more than 230 jobs.
According to Suleimenov, one priority is to establish a stronger institutional framework for economic cooperation. One expected outcome of the visit is a memorandum to establish a bilateral mechanism for trade, economic and investment cooperation. Suleimenov said such a mechanism could help move the partnership from individual initiatives towards regular engagement between the two governments and business communities.
“The Kazakhstan-Denmark Business Forum on Oct. 1 will be central to this, with concrete work expected in agriculture, industrial technologies, renewable energy, water solutions, transport and logistics, digitalization and pharmacy,” he said. These sectors, according to Suleimenov, are areas where Danish expertise can complement Kazakhstan’s market potential and strategic location between Europe and Asia.
Another priority is deeper cooperation with Maersk on the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.