Kazakhstan, Netherlands Sign €160 Million Agreements to Boost Trade and Investment Cooperation
Amsterdam, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan and the Netherlands have reached agreements to implement joint projects worth a total of €160 million following the Kazakhstan-Netherlands Business Forum held during the working visit of Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, to Amsterdam.
The forum, organized on the sidelines of GreenTech Amsterdam 2026, served as the central event of Kazakhstan’s trade and economic mission to the Netherlands. The gathering brought together more than 500 companies and organizations from over 40 countries and attracted participants from 120 nations.
The Netherlands remains one of Kazakhstan’s leading trade and economic partners within the European Union. Bilateral trade reached $970 million during January-February 2026, reflecting a 57.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Kazakhstan’s exports totaled $930.4 million, marking a 65 percent rise.
Addressing the forum, Minister Arman Shakkaliyev said the agreements reflected the strong mutual interest of the business communities of both countries and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to expand supplies of high-quality products to European markets while creating favorable conditions for investment projects involving Dutch partners.
Kazakh companies representing the agricultural, food processing and logistics sectors participated in the event, showcasing their export capabilities and holding a series of business-to-business meetings with Dutch counterparts.
During the visit, the Kazakh delegation also held discussions with leading Dutch government agencies and industry organizations. Talks focused on the Netherlands’ inspection and certification system, which is based on close cooperation between government institutions and accredited industry bodies to ensure product safety and facilitate efficient export procedures.
Meetings with the leadership of Naktuinbouw explored opportunities for cooperation in seed production, certification and agricultural quality control, as well as the exchange of expertise on traceability systems and compliance with international standards.
Transport and logistics cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. During a visit to the Port of Rotterdam, both sides examined prospects for expanding collaboration in international transportation, integrating Kazakh products into European supply chains and utilizing Europe’s largest seaport as a strategic gateway for Kazakh exports. Particular attention was given to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, whose growing role in facilitating secure and sustainable freight transportation between Asia and Europe was highlighted.
The delegation also met with Damen Shipyards Group to discuss industrial cooperation in shipbuilding. The parties signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing a shipbuilding and ship repair cluster in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region through technology transfer, production localization and workforce development initiatives.
Additional meetings were held with Axia Seeds and DENSO AgriTech Solutions to explore the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies, seed production projects and investment opportunities in greenhouse farming.
At the conclusion of the visit, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade, economic and investment ties. Agriculture, logistics, critical minerals, innovative technologies and international trade were identified as priority areas for future cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands.
