Kazakhstan and Norway Strengthen Economic Ties at Second Business Council Session in Astana
Astana, The Gulf Observer: The capital city of Astana recently hosted the second session of the Kazakhstan-Norway Business Council, marking a significant milestone in the deepening economic relations between the two nations. Jointly organized by the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan and the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, the high-level event focused on expanding bilateral trade, boosting investment collaboration, and advancing the implementation of key joint projects.
Bilateral Trade Surges by 37 Percent
Opening the session, Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Board of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan, reported a flourishing economic partnership. Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Norway has experienced a robust surge of 37 percent, reaching approximately $170 million USD.
“These figures reflect the expansion of trade flows, the emergence of new niches for cooperation, and, most importantly, the building of trust between Norwegian and Kazakhstani entrepreneurs,” Karimsakov stated.
Strategic Focus on Green Transition and Advanced Tech
As Kazakhstan actively pursues a comprehensive green transition, widespread digitalization, and an enhanced investment climate, Karimsakov emphasized that Norway’s expertise in advanced technologies is highly valuable to the region.
The council identified several primary sectors primed for strategic cooperation:
- Agriculture & Aquaculture
- The Circular Economy
- Transport & Logistics
Currently, 18 Norwegian companies are registered in Kazakhstan—including prominent firms such as Optimar, Eksfin, Cambi, Gexcon, Mill, AkvaGroup, Jotun, and Vester. Many of these enterprises have successfully transitioned from introductory negotiations to the practical execution of joint projects.
A premier example of this growing operational synergy is a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kazakhstan’s Organic Fish and Norway’s Optimar. The partnership pairs Organic Fish’s industrial marine aquaculture and sea-cage farming operations in the Caspian Sea with Optimar’s world-class automated fish processing systems.
Developing Eurasian Multimodal Corridors
Transport and logistics stood out as a focal point of the council’s agenda. Karimsakov reminded attendees of Kazakhstan’s geostrategic position as a vital Eurasian transport crossroads, noting that 70 percent of land transit from China to Europe currently passes through Kazakh territory.
“Together, we can build multimodal corridors, strengthen supply chains, and create added value across the entire chain—from production to the end consumer,” Karimsakov asserted.
Digital Tools for Global Investors
To facilitate future partnerships, international delegates were briefed on Kazakhstan’s latest business incentives and cutting-edge digital investment tools. Chief among these is the state’s Zdes i Seichas (“Here and Now”) digital platform, which currently showcases over 1,600 active projects with an aggregate value estimated at $130 billion USD, offering a transparent pipeline for incoming Norwegian capital.
