Memoranda of cooperation with a combined estimated value of USD 46 million were signed following the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Business Forum in Zurich. The agreements cover trade, commercial real estate and the development of industrial cooperation. The forum was held as part of the working visit to Switzerland by Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, from 20 to 22 October 2026.
The business forum was organised by the QazTrade Trade Policy Development Centre JSC in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Switzerland, with the support of Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), the Swiss agency for investment and foreign trade promotion. Participants included a delegation of Kazakhstani manufacturers and entrepreneurs, alongside representatives of around 90 Swiss companies.
In her welcome address to the Kazakhstani delegation, S. Lalive d’Epinay, Chief of Corporate Services and Development (S-GE), noted that Kazakhstan is a key economic partner for Switzerland in Central Asia and is attracting growing interest from the Swiss business community.
Minister of Trade and Integration A. Shakkaliyev outlined Kazakhstan’s trade policy and the government measures in place to support exporters in his remarks. He emphasised that the country is steadily increasing its exports of non-resource products to international markets and encouraged Swiss business representatives to explore opportunities to expand imports of Kazakhstani goods.
N. Kulbatyrov, Director General of QazTrade JSC, presented Kazakhstan’s trade and investment opportunities, the agency’s instruments for promoting Kazakhstani products abroad, and the range of goods with potential for export to Switzerland. He also highlighted the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (the Middle Corridor) to advance trade links between Europe and Asia.
Kazakhstani companies presented their products and investment proposals. During bilateral B2B negotiations, representatives of the two countries’ business communities established direct contacts and discussed opportunities to bring Kazakhstani products to the Swiss market, attract investment and implement joint projects.
In addition, QazTrade JSC and the Joint Chamber of Commerce (JCC) signed a memorandum aimed at developing trade and economic ties and strengthening cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
The expansion of business cooperation has been accompanied by growth in bilateral trade. Between January and August 2026, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Switzerland reached USD 1.12 billion, up 19.3% on the corresponding period of the previous year.
During the working visit, A. Shakkaliyev met with C. Schulze-Bergmann, Director General of Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV), and representatives of the Team Switzerland Infrastructure (TSI) platform, with the participation of S-GE and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The parties discussed the participation of Swiss companies in modernising Kazakhstan’s energy and municipal infrastructure, including smart electricity grids, energy-efficient heat supply, digital metering systems, water treatment and wastewater treatment. The Swiss side presented SERV’s instruments for insuring export risks and supporting project finance.
An agreement was reached to continue the dialogue and facilitate contacts between Swiss companies and the relevant government authorities and infrastructure project operators in Kazakhstan.
Background:Team Switzerland Infrastructure is a platform bringing together SECO, SERV, S-GE and the industry associations Swissmem, Swissrail and suisse.ing to promote Swiss infrastructure solutions
