Strengthening Business Relations: Italy and Kazakhstan Venture into Uncharted territories of Commercial Collaboration
Kazakhstan and Italy Ink Over $8 Billion Partnerships in Key Sectors
Astana, Kazakhstan - Kazakhstan and Italy have identified potential strategic partnerships worth over $8 billion in sectors including energy, agriculture, logistics, and technology, following this week's Italy-Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum in Astana.
The forum was organized by the Italy-Kazakhstan Trade Association (ACIK), in collaboration with government agencies and business leaders from both countries. It follows the Italy-Kazakhstan Bilateral Forum in Milan last October and sets the stage for the next gathering in Italy.
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, in his opening remarks, emphasized that the strategic partnership between the two countries was driven by consistent efforts from both heads of state. Italy and Kazakhstan have built strong ties in sectors such as energy, machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
According to Bektenov, bilateral trade rose by 25% last year, reaching nearly $20 billion, with Kazakh exports totalling $18 billion. Trade turnover alone hit $4.4 billion in the first quarter of this year, making Italy one of the top five EU investors in Kazakhstan, contributing $7.6 billion over the last two decades.
During the forum, ten memoranda of understanding worth 180 million euros (US$203.9 million) were signed. These agreements cover sectors including petrochemicals, machinery, agribusiness, metallurgy, and logistics digitalization. The agreements encompass joint production projects aimed at European, Central Asian, and Chinese markets.
Trade and Integration Minister Arman Shakkaliev hailed the forum as a milestone in bilateral relations. Kazakhstan is placing high importance on developing comprehensive, pragmatic, and long-term cooperation with Italy. Shakkaliev explained that the country aims not only to expand trade but to establish a sustainable, innovative ecosystem capable of ensuring supply chain stability amid global economic restructuring, rising protectionism, and digitalization.
He highlighted Kazakhstan's strategic position as a Eurasian hub, with the rapid development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) or the Middle Corridor. In 2024, shipments on the route increased 63% to 4.1 million tons, with container traffic rising 2.6-fold.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, proposals include launching a joint investment fund for bilateral projects, co-developing a Digital Supply Chain 4.0 platform, introducing co-insurance tools for export and investment risks, and creating an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) roadmap aligned with global standards.
One notable proposal suggests a co-branded label titled "Made in Kazakhstan with Italy" to symbolize advanced technological partnerships and value-added manufacturing. Kazakhstan also expressed interest in expanding agro-industrial ties, particularly through the export of organic grain, oilseeds, and animal feed.
Alessandro Bernini, CEO of Maire Group, stressed the growing opportunities in Kazakhstan for Italian companies. "We see a country growing rapidly. I have known Kazakhstan since 1995, when I first visited, and today it has undergone a fantastic transformation. The country is engaged in a massive investment plan, particularly in industrial development," Bernini explained.
Bernini also emphasized the importance of integrating the local workforce, with the Maire Group already partnering with a local university to hire graduates, share technical knowledge, and support the country's industrial growth.
Livio Mazzuoccolo, the general director of Confindustria, emphasized the need for structured preparation for Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) entering the Kazakh market, as many SMEs are currently underprepared when entering the Central Asian market. Currently, proper market entry, including registration and sectoral analysis, takes approximately 16 months.
Paolo Arrighetti, a senior vice president for corporate initiatives at Ansaldo Energia, highlighted Kazakhstan's dual-track approach to energy transition as a practical model for balancing innovation with stability. He noted the forum provided a platform for initiating new industrial collaborations, particularly in infrastructure modernization and energy diversification.
Arrighetti also identified Kazakhstan's growing strategic importance for Italian firms seeking to expand in Central Asia, describing it as a new regional hub amid global shifts. "The world has been changing in recent years, and Kazakhstan plays a significant role in this region. It sits at the crossroads between China, Russia, and European countries. Kazakhstan can really be the right place to strengthen relationships," said Arrighetti.
In the context of identified strategic partnerships worth over $8 billion between Kazakhstan and Italy, technology has emerged as a key sector for potential collaboration, as evident by the signing of agreements for digitalization of logistics during the Italy-Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum.
Furthermore, a proposal for a co-branded label titled "Made in Kazakhstan with Italy" suggests an emphasis on advanced technological partnerships and value-added manufacturing between the two countries.
