Central Asian Countries and China signs over 35 Memorandums for $17 Billion Deals

• Kazakhstan-China Trade Hits $44 Billion, Poised to Double with Key Focus on Green Energy and Logistics Expansion
• Central Asia's Role in Belt and Road Initiative Grows as Kazakhstan Leads in Agricultural Exports to China
• E-Commerce Growth and Silk Road E-Commerce Zone Set to Transform Kazakhstan's Trade Relations with China

According to Murat Karimsakov, the deputy chairman of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and chairman of Kazakhstan's Foreign Trade Chamber, the agreements encompass all essential sectors and topics from green energy and infrastructure to logistics, trade and new hub space.

Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin emphasized the deepening emerging role of agricultural and logistics cooperation. He noted the advancing insight into the importance of transport infrastructure. At present, more than 80 percent of land transport from China to Europe traverses Kazakhstan.

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“Central Asia is a key region for the development of dryland farming in the world. Currently, the countries of the region are actively promoting and diversifying the export of organic agricultural products to the Chinese market. Camel milk from Kazakhstan, cherries from Uzbekistan, dried fruits from Tajikistan, honey from the Kyrgyz Republic, cotton from Turkmenistan are increasingly entering the Chinese market and are highly appreciated by consumers,” he noted.

“We are interested in further deepening cooperation within China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This mega-project, along with the Middle Corridor, opens up additional opportunities for unlocking the potential of the North-South and East-West corridors,” he added.

China-Central Asia trade totaled $95 billion in 2024, and Kazakhstan comprised nearly half. Kazakhstan's bilateral trade turnover reached a record level of $44 billion, with the goal of doubling this number in the near future.

Zhumangarin also pointed to e-commerce as a rising area of growth, with readiness to support the development of the Silk Road E-Commerce pilot zone, with positive experience of cooperation with the silkroad economic belt regarding national pavilions on electronic trading platforms Alibaba and JD.com.

Chinese investments continue to ramp up in the region and lead major initiatives in energy, industry, renewable energy and agriculture. The Business Council meeting expects over 300 representatives of leading Chinese companies, which bears witness to the strong interest in deepening relationships with partners from Kazakhstan and other countries in the region.