ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Denmark are entering a more dynamic stage of their partnership, with the upcoming visit of Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expected to strengthen political dialogue and expand economic cooperation, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Denmark and Sweden Olzhas Suleimenov told The Astana Times.
Photo credit: vecteezy.com
Rasmussen’s visit on Oct. 1-2 will combine high-level political engagement with a substantial business agenda. He is expected to meet with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and hold talks with Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, while a Danish business delegation will participate in the Kazakhstan-Denmark Business Forum in Konayev on Oct. 1.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Denmark and Sweden Olzhas Suleimenov. Photo credit: Embassy
The visit comes ahead of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Denmark in 2027.
“We see it as an opportunity to give fresh momentum to both political dialogue and practical cooperation,” Suleimenov said.
Suleimenov noted that the two countries already have a “solid foundation” for expanding their economic partnership. Denmark has invested nearly $400 million in Kazakhstan since 2005, while Danish companies including Carlsberg, FLSmidth, Novo Nordisk, Danfoss and Maersk are active in the Kazakh market.
One of the most tangible examples of this cooperation is Carlsberg’s new non-alcoholic beverages plant in the Almaty Region. The facility, representing a $344 million investment, is scheduled to officially open on Oct. 1 during the visit and is expected to create more than 230 jobs.
Strengthening economic cooperation
According to Suleimenov, one priority is to establish a stronger institutional framework for economic cooperation.
One expected outcome of the visit is a memorandum to establish a bilateral mechanism for trade, economic and investment cooperation. Suleimenov said such a mechanism could help move the partnership from individual initiatives towards regular engagement between the two governments and business communities.
“The Kazakhstan-Denmark Business Forum on Oct. 1 will be central to this, with concrete work expected in agriculture, industrial technologies, renewable energy, water solutions, transport and logistics, digitalization and pharmacy,” he said.
These sectors, according to Suleimenov, are areas where Danish expertise can complement Kazakhstan’s market potential and strategic location between Europe and Asia.
Focus on Middle Corridor
Another priority is deeper cooperation with Maersk on the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
A dedicated roundtable with Maersk, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and prospective Kazakh partners was held in Almaty on Sept. 30. Suleimenov said the discussions are expected to translate into growing container traffic and the development of multimodal transport solutions.
The Middle Corridor connects China and Central Asia with Europe through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan and Georgia, making it an important area for expanding transport and logistics cooperation between Kazakhstan and European partners.
Moving beyond livestock supplies
Agriculture is another area where Kazakhstan and Denmark see potential for expanding cooperation.
Suleimenov highlighted existing contacts with Danish companies including Viking Genetics, DanBred, FOSS, Vilomix and Thornico. Between 2011 and 2025, Kazakhstan imported more than 10,000 head of pedigree cattle from Denmark.
Denmark has invested nearly $400 million in Kazakhstan since 2005, with leading Danish companies including Carlsberg, FLSmidth, Novo Nordisk, Danfoss and Maersk active in the Kazakh market. Photo credits: carlsbergkazakhstan.kz, mining-outlook.com, Reuters, blog.webex.com.
Suleimenov said Kazakhstan now seeks to move beyond supplying livestock and equipment toward localization, technology transfer and integrated dairy and livestock projects.
“I would like to see us move beyond the supply of livestock and equipment towards localisation, technology transfer, and integrated dairy and livestock projects here in Kazakhstan,” he said.
Suleimenov said the broader objective is to translate the existing political goodwill between the two countries into concrete projects, sustainable investment and lasting institutional ties.
“Our priority now is turning political goodwill into concrete projects, sustainable investment, and lasting institutional ties. Kazakhstan is ready to take this partnership forward, and we see Denmark as an important partner in Northern Europe,” he said.
