Bern, 22 October– The 12th meeting of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Bern. The meeting was co-chaired by Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Ambassador Andrea Rauber Saxer, Head of Bilateral Economic Relations at Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The two sides reviewed the current state and prospects of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, noting the significant potential to expand trade in goods and services.
Kazakhstan reaffirmed its interest in increasing exports of agricultural and food products, including honey and products of animal origin.
Both sides welcomed the outcomes of the business roundtable held in Zurich the previous day, which brought together 90 companies with the support of Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) and the Joint Chamber of Commerce (JCC).
On investment, Kazakhstan expressed interest in attracting Swiss investment, technology and management expertise, and invited companies to pursue joint projects in agricultural processing, agricultural technology, water resources, renewable energy, infrastructure, digitalization and artificial intelligence. Particular attention was given to opportunities for Swiss companies, investors and research centers to contribute to the development of Alatau City, a new smart city with a special legal regime.
Switzerland proposed expanding cooperation on critical raw materials, including through the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The two sides also discussed prospects for Swiss companies to participate in infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan in water management, waste management, transport, logistics and energy, with the support of the Team Switzerland Infrastructure platform and Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV).
Both sides 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 Switzerland, the center aims to strengthen business and cultural ties between the two countries.
The meeting also addressed cooperation in veterinary matters, nuclear energy, science and higher education, intellectual property protection, digitalization, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol and a Roadmap for developing cooperation between the National Nuclear Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Switzerland’s National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (NAGRA).
