Kazakhstan-Finland Business Forum Held in Astana

Kazakhstan-Finland Business Forum Held in Astana

Astana, October 28, 2025 – The Kazakhstan-Finland Business Forum was held in Astana with the participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb. The forum served as an important platform to strengthen economic ties and explore new areas of industrial and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Among the speakers were Gabidulla Ospanqulov, Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Sanzhar Zharkeshov, Vice Minister of Energy; Rakhymzhan Isakulov, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction; Janne Rekolainen, CEO of EastCham Finland; Olli Pohjanvirta, President of Nurminen Logistics; as well as representatives of national companies and business associations.

In his speech, Gabidulla Ospankulov emphasized the high level of trust between Kazakhstan and Finland and noted the significant potential for further expanding economic cooperation: “Our countries are united by mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to partnership. In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to 171.9 million US dollars, and in the first eight months of 2025 – 89.5 million US dollars. These figures demonstrate enormous potential for strengthening trade and investment relations. Finland remains an important partner and investor for Kazakhstan, with total direct investment exceeding 486 million US dollars, and 70 Finnish companies already successfully operating in the country,” he said.

The forum gathered leading companies from both countries, including Wärtsilä, Normet, EPSE, Telko, GTK, Peikko Group, Honkarakenne, Konecranes, Sweco, Lamor, Finnish Water Forum, Ponsse, Valtra, Valio, Nurminen Logistics, Eduten, and Lojer Group. From Kazakhstan, participants included Samruk-Kazyna, KazMunayGas, the Industrial Development Fund, BI Group, ERG, QazTrade, Smartlog, and others.

During the forum, six bilateral documents were signed, aimed at developing industrial cooperation, environmental technologies, and sustainable production, including:

  • A Memorandum of Cooperation between Burabay Damu JSC and Honkarakenne Plc on tourism and eco-construction development at the “Burabay” resort;
  • A Memorandum of Understanding between BI Construction & Engineering and Peikko Group on establishing joint production of DELTABEAM construction systems in Kazakhstan;
  • A Memorandum between TOR’RE Ltd and Honkarakenne Plc on implementing a pilot wooden housing construction project in Kazakhstan;
  • A Memorandum of Cooperation between Tengiz Zhasagy JSC and Lamor Corporation Plc on oil spill response and marine operations support;
  • A Memorandum of Understanding between Samruk-Kazyna Öndeu LLP and Wärtsilä Finland Oy on the development of energy technologies and optimization of energy efficiency;
  • A Memorandum between Samruk-Kazyna Öndeu LLP and EPSE Oy on the implementation of Finnish technologies for industrial and wastewater treatment.

The forum served as an effective platform for establishing direct contacts between companies, exchanging experience, and discussing new investment projects focused on green technologies, industrial cooperation, and the localization of Finnish technologies in Kazakhstan.