Kazakh-German cooperation discussed at Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry

NUR-SULTAN, August 9, 2019 — Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Beibut Atamkulov, received the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kazakhstan, Tilo Klinner.

The organization of high-level bilateral visits and events was discussed, including the upcoming visit of the Kazakh Foreign Minister to Berlin this month.

The parties discussed strengthening investment cooperation, noting the important role of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Kazakhstan-German Business Council for Strategic Cooperation and the Berlin Eurasian Club, as well as the creation of favorable conditions for German investors in Kazakhstan, including for representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Throughout the meeting, special attention was paid to ongoing humanitarian collaboration, the enhancement of German-language education in schools and through a network of centers, as well as the continued cooperation in the area of dual education. It was noted that the presence of a “living bridge” between the two countries, represented by the approximately 200,000 German diaspora in Kazakhstan and about 900,000 “Kazakh” Germans in Germany, is of great importance.

Germany is one of the largest trading partners and investors of Kazakhstan. In 2018, trade between Kazakhstan and Germany amounted to $2.1 billion, which is 10.8% higher than in 2017. Over the past 13 years, the inflow of direct investment from Germany to Kazakhstan amounted to more than $8.6 billion. Approximately 90% of German investment in Kazakhstan goes towards the non-commodity sector, including to support and develop SMEs.

Kazakhstan has over 900 companies involving German capital, including METRO, KNAUF, Heidelberg Cement, BASF, Linde AG, and CLAAS. Last year, WILO opened a manufacturing facility in Almaty, which includes a high-tech center for the production, testing and training of designers and engineers, while OBI opened a center for construction materials and equipment.