On October 22, 2026, the 12th meeting of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation (the Commission) was held in Bern. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while the Swiss delegation was led by Ambassador A. Rauber Saxer, Head of the Bilateral Economic Relations Division of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and Delegate of the Federal Council for Trade Agreements.
During the meeting, the parties reviewed the current state and prospects for developing trade and economic cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Swiss Confederation, noting significant potential for increasing bilateral trade in goods and services.
The Kazakh side reaffirmed its interest in expanding exports of agricultural products, including honey and products of animal origin. To achieve this objective, the Ministry of Trade and Integration, jointly with QazTrade JSC, will take measures to identify export-oriented domestic enterprises and prepare targeted commercial proposals tailored to the requirements of Swiss importers and retail chains. The parties positively assessed the outcomes of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Business Roundtable, held on October 21, 2026, in Zurich with the support of Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) and the Joint Chamber of Commerce (JCC), as part of the trade and economic mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In the area of investment cooperation, the Kazakh side emphasized its interest in attracting Swiss investment, advanced technologies, and managerial expertise to priority sectors of the economy, including special economic zones.
The Kazakh side invited Swiss companies to engage in industrial cooperation and implement joint projects in Kazakhstan. Priority areas include the deep processing of agricultural products and the introduction of modern agricultural technologies, the efficient use of water resources, renewable energy, transport and logistics infrastructure, municipal infrastructure, as well as digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
It was noted that Kazakhstan is ready to offer Swiss investors the benefits and opportunities available in its special economic zones and to facilitate the promotion of Swiss companies’ products and technologies on the Kazakhstani market. Swiss technology companies, investors, universities, and research centers were also invited to participate in the development of Alatau City, a new smart city with a special legal regime, particularly in the areas of urban digital infrastructure, financial technology, and sustainable urban solutions.
The Swiss side proposed developing bilateral cooperation in the field of critical raw materials, including through the signing of a relevant memorandum of understanding. The parties also discussed opportunities for Swiss companies to participate in infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan in the fields of water management and waste management, transport and logistics, public transportation, and energy, with the support of the Team Switzerland Infrastructure platform and the Swiss Export Risk Insurance Agency (SERV).
The parties welcomed the opening of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Cultural and Business Center in Schaffhausen, established with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Swiss Confederation. The center is intended to serve as a platform for expanding business and cultural ties between the two countries.
In addition, the parties discussed cooperation in veterinary affairs and facilitating market access for products of animal origin in both countries, as well as science and higher education, intellectual property protection, digitalization, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a Roadmap for Cooperation between the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a Republican State Enterprise, and the Swiss National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (NAGRA) was signed.
Following the meeting, the parties signed the Protocol. They agreed to hold the 13th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the dates and venue to be coordinated through diplomatic channels.
