Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko convened with Pascale Delcomminette, CEO of the Wallonia Export and Investment Agency (AWEX) and Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI), to explore avenues for deepening bilateral trade, economic, and investment relations between the Central Asian nation and Belgium's Wallonia region.
The discussions centered on several high-priority sectors including critical minerals and metallurgy, petrochemicals, agriculture and agri-tech, logistics infrastructure along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route—commonly known as the Middle Corridor—digitalization and artificial intelligence, green energy transition, and cooperation in science, education and innovation.
Vassilenko underscored Kazakhstan's standing as a dependable partner for both the European Union and Belgium, noting the country's ongoing commitment to economic reforms focused on diversification and investment attraction. He emphasized that Kazakhstan plays a pivotal role in global resource security, holding the position of the world's largest producer and exporter of uranium while serving as a key supplier of critical raw materials essential for European industrial supply chains.
Particular emphasis was placed on fostering industrial cooperation and establishing value-added production chains. Kazakhstan is actively seeking to engage Walloon companies equipped with advanced technologies and specialized expertise in metallurgy, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and engineering solutions.
The talks also addressed digital transformation, artificial intelligence development, and the green transition, including renewable energy projects. Delcomminette acknowledged that trade between Kazakhstan and Wallonia has demonstrated dynamic growth but retains substantial room for further expansion and qualitative improvement.
Both parties concluded the meeting by stressing the importance of strengthening direct business-to-business engagement, proposing initiatives such as trade missions, sectoral forums, and targeted B2B meetings involving Walloon enterprises, with AWEX identified as a key facilitator in advancing these partnerships.
Wallonia represents Belgium's second-largest regional economy after Flanders, contributing approximately €150 billion to the country's GDP in 2024. The region's industrial base encompasses pharmaceuticals, mining operations, rubber and plastics manufacturing, electrical equipment production, and metallurgy and metal products. The region is also actively developing innovative sectors including biotechnology, medical technologies, and green industry, supported by robust research institutions based in Liège, Louvain-la-Neuve, and Namur.