Astana and Brussels Discuss New Areas of Cooperation

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko held a meeting with the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR), Boris Dilliès.

The parties discussed prospects for enhancing cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Brussels-Capital Region, with particular emphasis on trade and economic relations, investment, digitalization, innovation, and interregional cooperation.

Ambassador Vassilenko noted that Belgium is one of Kazakhstan’s important political and economic partners. He highlighted that bilateral trade reached USD 583 million in 2025, representing a 28% increase, while the total volume of Belgian investments in Kazakhstan’s economy exceeded USD 14.5 billion, making Belgium one of the ten largest investors in the country.

Special attention was paid to investment attraction and entrepreneurship development. In this regard, the parties discussed opportunities to expand cooperation between the business communities of Kazakhstan and the Brussels-Capital Region, as well as interaction between institutions supporting investment and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The discussions also focused on digitalization, innovation, and artificial intelligence. The parties also exchanged views on the development of smart cities, digital governance, and urban infrastructure. In this context, Kazakhstan’s intelligent public safety and traffic management system “Sergek,” which has been implemented in major cities across the country, was presented.

Taking into account Boris Dilliès’ extensive experience as Mayor of the Brussels municipality of Uccle and his long-standing work in urban governance, the parties explored the possibility of establishing partnership ties with regions of Kazakhstan. Potential cooperation could include the exchange of experience in urban planning, municipal administration, digitalization of public services, investment attraction, and sustainable urban development.

For his part, Boris Dilliès emphasized Kazakhstan’s important role in the Central Asian region and the dynamic growth of its economy, expressing his intention to contribute to the further strengthening of trade, economic, and cultural cooperation. In this context, the interlocutors welcomed the growing presence of Brussels-based companies in Kazakhstan, including the well-known bakery-restaurant chain Le Pain Quotidien, which is already operating in Almaty and Astana.

The parties also discussed cultural and humanitarian cooperation, reaffirming the importance of implementing joint projects in this area. In this regard, they highlighted the recently initiated partnership between the new Almaty Museum of Arts and Brussels’ KANAL – Centre Pompidou museum, including exchanges of exhibitions, expertise, and cultural projects.

At the meeting, the Ambassador also informed the Minister-President of Brussels about the large-scale political reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan and the adoption of the country’s new Constitution, which will enter into force on 1 July 2026. He noted that the reforms are aimed at further improving the system of public administration, strengthening the rule of law, and expanding citizens’ participation in public and political life.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in developing practical cooperation and agreed to continue contacts on the implementation of joint initiatives in the fields of investment, innovation, and interregional cooperation.

The Brussels-Capital Region is the political and administrative center of Belgium, one of the country’s three regions within its federal structure, and one of Europe’s leading international business and institutional hubs. In 2025, the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to approximately EUR 108.5 billion (USD 117.8 billion), while GDP per capita exceeded EUR 80,000, one of the highest levels in the European Union.

The regional economy is predominantly service- and innovation-oriented. Key sectors include financial services, international trade, consulting, information and communication technologies, the digital economy, research and development, as well as the activities of European and international institutions. Brussels hosts the headquarters of the European Union, NATO, numerous international organizations, multinational corporations, and industry associations.