Business Communities of North Rhine-Westphalia Expand Economic Cooperation With Kazakhstan

Düsseldorf, October 7, 2025 – The Düsseldorf Business Association hosted a business roundtable titled “Kazakhstan – North Rhine-Westphalia: Cooperation and Partnership in Industrial, Raw Materials and Technological Sectors”. The event brought together around 60 representatives from the region’s business and public sectors.

The co-organizers on the German side included the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia, the “NRW. Global Business” agency, the delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Central Asia and the Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Onzhanov presented key aspects of Kazakhstan’s socioeconomic development and the main areas of bilateral cooperation with Germany.

In his keynote address, the Vice Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Saparbekov outlined Kazakhstan’s plans for industrialization and modernization of its industrial potential. He highlighted promising opportunities implementing joint projects in the country. He emphasized that German companies remain among Kazakhstan’s most active industrial partners, with over 90% of German investments directed toward the manufacturing sector. Both sides expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in metallurgy, extraction and processing of critical raw materials, as well as in establishing joint high value production facilities.

For his part, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia Paul Höller noted the growing interest of local businesses in further strengthening economic ties with Kazakhstan. He emphasized that companies from North Rhine-Westphalia have extensive experience and advanced technology in key sectors for bilateral cooperation such as industry, mining, metallurgy, chemistry, transport and logistics, green energy and innovation development.

Peter Buchholz, Director of the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA), discussed ongoing collaborative initiatives to identify and promote promising projects in the critical raw materials sector.

During the ensuing discussion, participants exchanged views on ways to further deepen dialogue, expand business contacts and foster the creation of joint projects.

With a gross regional product exceeding 870 billion euros in 2024, North Rhine-Westphalia remains Germany’s largest economic hub.