Italy and Kazakhstan are expanding their economic cooperation, with more than $8 billion in potential partnerships under discussion across critical sectors such as energy, agriculture, logistics, and technology.
The Italy-Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum, held on May 28 in Astana, served as a key platform to advance bilateral trade and industrial ties just ahead of the Astana International Forum (AIF) on May 29–30.
Organized by the Italy-Kazakhstan Trade Association (ACIK) alongside national agencies and business leaders, the event built on the momentum of last October’s bilateral forum in Milan. It also laid the foundation for the next round of talks to be held in Italy.
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the growing strategic partnership between the two countries, highlighting Italy’s longstanding investment in sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and machinery. He noted that bilateral trade rose 25% in 2024, reaching nearly $20 billion, with $18 billion in Kazakh exports. In Q1 2025 alone, trade hit $4.4 billion.
“Italy remains among our top five EU investors, with $7.6 billion invested over the past 20 years,” said Bektenov. “Our government is focused on improving the investment climate with incentives like tax and customs benefits, infrastructure support, and a responsive legal environment.”
New Agreements and Sectoral Focus
The forum resulted in 10 memoranda of understanding worth €180 million (approx. $204 million) in areas such as petrochemicals, machinery, agriculture, metallurgy, and logistics digitalization. These agreements aim to position both countries for joint production projects targeting European, Central Asian, and Chinese markets.
Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliev called the event a “milestone” in bilateral ties, emphasizing Kazakhstan’s role as a key Eurasian transport and logistics hub, especially via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) or Middle Corridor, which saw a 63% increase in cargo in 2024.
Kazakhstan proposed several initiatives including:
Agricultural exports were also spotlighted, particularly organic grain, oilseeds, and animal feed.
Industrial Integration and Workforce Development
Maire Group CEO Alessandro Bernini praised Kazakhstan’s transformation since the 1990s, pointing to vast industrial opportunities for Italian firms.
“We encourage Italian companies to establish a permanent presence in Kazakhstan,” Bernini said. “The country is in the midst of major industrial investment, and we can accelerate the modernization of local companies by working together.”
Maire Group is already collaborating with local universities to recruit and train graduates for the growing industrial sector.
Challenges for SMEs and Support Solutions
Livio Mazzuoccolo, General Manager of Confindustria, noted that many European SMEs lack adequate preparation when entering Kazakhstan or Central Asia. He said proper registration and market integration typically take 16 months, and that sectors like oil and gas require additional licensing steps.
To better support Italian SMEs, Confindustria is transforming its Kazakhstan office into Confindustria Central Asia and Caucasus, aimed at streamlining market entry and offering targeted guidance.
Energy Transition and Strategic Geography
Paolo Arrighetti, SVP at Ansaldo Energia, highlighted Kazakhstan’s balanced approach to the energy transition — promoting renewables while converting coal-fired plants to gas-powered systems to ensure grid stability.
“These forums are essential for launching meaningful collaborations,” said Arrighetti. “Kazakhstan’s location — between China, Russia, and Europe — makes it an emerging regional hub amid global realignments.”
He concluded that instability elsewhere has created opportunities in Central Asia, and that Kazakhstan is uniquely positioned to serve as a stable, innovation-driven partner in this new geopolitical landscape.
Iran’s foreign minister says a return to nuclear diplomacy with the United States remains possible, provided mutual trust can be restored, warning t...
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed developments related to Iran and wider regional ten...
At least 32 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip late Friday and into Saturday, according to Palestinian s...
Sudan on Sunday restarted domestic passenger flights to Khartoum International Airport for the first time since the war erupted in April 2023, as a Su...
Russian drone strikes hit civilian sites across several Ukrainian regions overnight and on Sunday, leaving at least 14 people dead and more than a doz...
A restored angel in a Rome basilica has prompted political scrutiny after reports that its face now resembles Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Italy lodged a formal protest on Saturday over the release on bail of the owner of a Swiss bar destroyed by a deadly New Year’s Day fire and recalled its ambassador to Switzerland, as the court decision drew criticism in both countries.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Saturday (17 January) that concerns over security in Greenland should be addressed within the framework of NATO, describing a ground military intervention as highly unlikely.
Investment from Italy in Azerbaijan has reached $805m, Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said as he met his counterparts in Baku.
Newly released Epstein files name French President Emmanuel Macron among figures referenced in millions of disclosed documents.
The United Nations faces the risk of “imminent financial collapse” because of unpaid contributions, including substantial arrears from the United States, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned.
Vladimir Putin said Russia earned more than $15 billion from defence exports in 2025 and fulfilled all military-technical contracts despite what he described as growing pressure from Western countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington may be able to reach a deal with Cuba, days after he threatened tariffs on any country supplying the island with oil.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to shape regional tensions in the Middle East, particularly among key powers such as Israel and Türkiye, according to political analyst Dr Zaur Gasimov.
Iran’s foreign minister says a return to nuclear diplomacy with the United States remains possible, provided mutual trust can be restored, warning that any military confrontation would trigger a wider regional conflict.
A freight train carrying with Russian grain has departed from Bilajari station in Azerbaijan, heading to Armenia via transit routes through Georgia.
Iran will treat the armies of European Union member states as “terrorist groups” in retaliation for the EU’s decision to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Sunday.
A call has been made to parliaments worldwide in connection with the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), urging stronger legislative engagement in advancing resilient cities and sustainable urban development.
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the city of Asaluyeh in southern Iran on Sunday morning, according to state media.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment