ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Laos are seeking to expand trade, investment and transport cooperation as the two countries look to deepen bilateral ties, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during talks with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Astana on Sept. 3, reported Akorda.
Tokayev described Sisoulith’s visit as historic, as it marks the first official visit by a Lao president to Kazakhstan. He also noted that 2027 will mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and the Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met on Sept.3 in Astana. Photo credit: Akorda
“Relations between our states are friendly. We cooperate closely on the international stage, primarily within the United Nations. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation for Laos’ support for our initiatives within the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA),” Tokayev said.
He said the visit would give new impetus to bilateral relations and that the two governments would begin implementing the agreements reached during the talks. Tokayev described Laos as an important and reliable partner for Kazakhstan in Southeast Asia, noting its steady economic growth and progress in energy, agriculture, industry and tourism.
“We support expanding trade and economic cooperation with Laos, viewing it as an important foundation for strengthening bilateral ties. We see significant potential for increasing Kazakh exports, particularly in metallurgy, food, petrochemicals, agriculture, chemicals, machinery and pharmaceuticals,” Tokayev said.
According to the TradeReport Telegram channel, Laos’ economy grew by around 4.8% in 2025. Kazakhstan imported $428,000 worth of goods from Laos in January-June 2026, while annual imports have never exceeded $1.4 million.
Logistics emerge as a key area of cooperation
Transport and logistics could offer another avenue to expand bilateral economic ties, with Tokayev highlighting Laos’ transformation from a landlocked country into a potential regional transit link.
“Kazakhstan has the largest transport network in Central Asia and is actively developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which connects China and Europe. Our country handles around 85% of continental freight traffic between China and Europe,” Tokayev said.
He noted that Kazakh terminals operate at the ports of Batumi in Georgia and Lianyungang in China, while Kazakhstan has also launched a logistics hub in Xi’an, China, whose platform could be used by Lao freight carriers.
“We see an opportunity to use our transport corridors to facilitate access for Lao products to Central Asian and European markets. Kazakhstan is interested in expanding its exports to Southeast Asian markets through Laos,” he said.
Tokayev also highlighted the role of the Laos-China railway in strengthening Laos’ transit potential and creating new opportunities to connect ASEAN with China and Europe.
“I propose that our governments work toward concluding relevant intergovernmental and interagency agreements in transport and logistics,” he said.
The Laos-China railway, which began full operations in 2021, has strengthened Laos’ position along regional trade routes and could create opportunities for Kazakhstan to use the country as a gateway to Southeast Asian markets.
Tokayev also invited Lao companies to make greater use of the opportunities offered by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).
“The AIFC has become an international platform for doing business and attracting investment. It brings together more than 6,300 registered companies from more than 90 countries, creating a dynamic business environment. Through the AIFC platform, $27 billion in investment has been attracted to Kazakhstan,” Tokayev said.
“For Lao companies, the AIFC can serve as an effective tool for entering the Kazakh market and expanding their presence across Central Asia,” he said.
Longstanding ties
Sisoulith said he had seen firsthand Kazakhstan’s development and the scale of the transformations taking place under Tokayev’s leadership.
Sisoulith highlighted that Kazakhstan had consistently maintained good and stable relations with Laos and had supported the country since the period of its national liberation struggle. Photo credit: Akorda
“It is a great honor for me to make this official visit to Kazakhstan as president and to meet with you today. I sincerely believe that my visit will make a significant contribution to strengthening bilateral relations. I am confident that during our talks we will be able to discuss a wide range of issues and identify promising areas for cooperation and further joint work,” Sisoulith said.
He highlighted that Kazakhstan has consistently maintained good and stable relations with Laos and has supported the country since its national liberation struggle.
“Regardless of how circumstances have changed, relations between Kazakhstan and Laos, as well as our fraternal ties and mutual goodwill, have remained unchanged. I believe that this visit will contribute to further strengthening and expanding friendly relations between our two countries,” Sisoulith said.
He also emphasized Kazakhstan’s contribution to training specialists for Laos.
“Hundreds of Lao citizens have received their education and graduated from educational institutions in Kazakhstan. Today, many of them work in public service, run businesses or hold senior positions at the national and local levels. They all remember Kazakhstan warmly for the support and assistance they received during their studies,” Sisoulith said.
Tokayev and Sisoulith also discussed cooperation in culture, humanitarian affairs and tourism, as well as opportunities to strengthen ties between higher education institutions.
The two countries also exchanged several intergovernmental documents in the presence of the two heads of state, covering political consultations, law enforcement, digital development and cooperation between their capitals.
