Second Meeting of the Kazakhstan–Belgium Business Council

29 May 2024 – Almaty, Kazakhstan – Almaty hosted the second meeting of the Kazakhstan–Belgium Business Council, co-chaired by the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan and the BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce. The event was part of the Belgian Trade Mission to Kazakhstan, held from 29 to 31 May 2024.

The event brought together more than 70 participants, including representatives of official and business circles from both countries. Participants held productive B2G and B2B meetings, discussing current issues and business opportunities in Kazakhstan.

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks, during which the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Kazakhstan, Henri Vantieghem, and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium, Margulan Baimukhan, together with the heads of the chambers of commerce and representatives of the Wallonia Export and Foreign Investment Agency (AWEX), exchanged views on the prospects for bilateral cooperation.

The main part of the event was devoted to thematic presentations covering business opportunities, Kazakhstan's investment potential, climate initiatives, and other important topics. Speakers included representatives of companies and organisations such as the Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC, the Belgian export credit agency Credendo, Almaty Business Development Company, Orfit Industries, and others.

During the Business Council meeting, the President of the BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, Denis Van den Weghe, noted that "throughout their cooperation, Belgium and Kazakhstan have built a strong partnership characterised by dynamic trade relations and investment flows. Over the past 30 years, Belgium has become a key trading partner for Kazakhstan within the European Union, as well as an important source of investment and new technologies. Between 2005 and 2023, Belgian direct investment reached €11 billion, making Belgium the sixth-largest investor in Kazakhstan. Today, more than 75 enterprises with Belgian capital operate across sectors including energy, mining, transport and logistics, making a significant contribution to Kazakhstan's economic growth and development."

The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce and the Central Asia Climate Foundation. The document provides for the joint promotion of green initiatives and climate-change-related projects.

The BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce also organised B2B sessions between the Belgian delegation and representatives of the Kazakh business community, giving participants a unique opportunity to establish new business contacts and discuss promising projects.

It should be recalled that the first meeting of the Business Council was held on 5 June 2023 in Astana, laying the foundation for further fruitful cooperation.