Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom Strengthen Trade and Economic Partnership

Almaty, Astana, October 10 – 13, 2025 – With the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Lord John Alderdice – UK Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan and Central Asia and Member of the House of Lords – paid an official visit to Kazakhstan. The visit served as a vivid confirmation that the partnership between the two countries rising to a new strategic level, bringing together economy, education, innovation, and sustainable development.

The visit included a series of high-level meetings, including discussions with First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov, Mayor of Almaty Darkhan Satybaldy, Chairman of the Samruk-Kazyna Fund Nurlan Zhakupov, Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre Renat Bekturov, as well as representatives of Kazakh business.

The parties discussed expanding the participation of British companies in Kazakhstan’s investment and infrastructure projects, as well as exploring new areas of cooperation in critical minerals, energy, transport, healthcare, finance, digitalisation, and education.

One of the significant topics of the visit was education – the foundation of long-term partnership. Lord Alderdice visited the campuses of British universities in Kazakhstan, including De Montfort University Kazakhstan, Cardiff University Kazakhstan, and Coventry University Kazakhstan, which are bringing world-class standards to the region. “These universities create opportunities not only for students from Kazakhstan but also for students from across the world, fostering a truly international community,” Lord Alderdice emphasised.

During his visit to the Astana International Financial Centre, he highlighted the unique application of English law in Kazakhstan as a tool for attracting investment and establishing a transparent business environment. “Kazakhstan is a key partner for the United Kingdom in Central Asia, and there is enormous potential to expand our trade and investment cooperation across various strategic sectors. We must build on this momentum and unlock opportunities that will benefit businesses and communities in both our countries,” he stated.

Lord Alderdice’s visit confirmed that relations between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom are not just growing stronger – they are becoming a benchmark for international cooperation based on trust, innovation, and a shared vision for the future.

In recent years, Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have achieved notable successes: the opening of British university campuses and schools, the development of partnerships in critical minerals, and support for initiatives such as the “Altyn Dala” project, implemented with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which was awarded the prestigious Earthshot Prize for its contribution to biodiversity conservation.