ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for expanded cooperation between Kazakhstan and Bavaria in advanced manufacturing, critical materials, microelectronics, agriculture and logistics, proposing new joint initiatives during the Kazakhstan-Bavaria Technology Forum in Munich on Sept. 30.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addresses participants of the Kazakhstan-Bavaria Technology Forum in Munich on Sept. 30. Photo credit: Akorda.
The forum brought together representatives of business, industry and technology and was the final event of Tokayev’s official visit to Germany. Opening his remarks, Tokayev described Bavaria as a distinctive region where industrial and technological development is combined with a strong culture of innovation.
He noted that Bavaria is one of Kazakhstan’s key trading partners among Germany’s federal states. Kazakhstan’s exports to the region include oil, ferroalloys, steel, iron, copper, aluminum, inorganic chemicals, oilseeds and grain, among other products.
“Our ambition can be expressed in a simple formula: ‘Made in Kazakhstan using Bavarian technologies and with German quality,’” President Tokayev said.
Automation and advanced manufacturing
One of the priorities identified by Tokayev was the development of advanced manufacturing.
“Kazakhstan is expanding capacities in such industries as mechanical engineering, metallurgy, electrical engineering and the production of industrial components. At the same time, further increases in labor productivity will increasingly depend on automation, robotics and digital management of production processes,” he said.
Tokayev highlighted Siemens and KUKA as global leaders in industrial automation, robotics and advanced manufacturing technologies. He also pointed to large Kazakh enterprises, including Qarmet, as potential sources of stable demand and long-term industrial partnerships.
Kazakhstan proposes semiconductor partnership
Another area highlighted at the forum was microelectronics. Tokayev said Bavaria has developed one of Europe’s leading semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystems, bringing together companies such as Infineon Technologies, Siltronic and Rohde & Schwarz.
For Kazakhstan, he said, the immediate opportunity is not large-scale chip manufacturing but participation in parts of the value chain that can directly support the country’s industrial sectors.
“In this regard, I propose launching a special partnership program involving the Bavarian Chips Alliance, bringing together relevant Kazakh companies, research organizations and development institutions with Bavaria’s semiconductor industry ecosystem,” Tokayev said.
Critical materials and new supply chains
Critical materials were also identified as a potential area for long-term cooperation.
“As German industry seeks to ensure the reliability and diversification of supplies of essential resources, Kazakhstan is ready to become a reliable and long-term supplier of copper, titanium, aluminum, beryllium, tantalum and niobium,” Tokayev said.
The proposal comes as Kazakhstan seeks to expand the processing and industrial use of its mineral resources, while German companies look to diversify sources of critical raw materials.
Agriculture and Alatau City among proposed areas
Agriculture was another area Tokayev identified for cooperation, citing Bavaria’s expertise in agricultural machinery, precision farming, water-saving technologies and food processing. He proposed launching a Kazakhstan-Bavaria model-farm project focused on the production and processing of high-quality agricultural products in line with European standards.
Tokayev also presented Alatau City as a potential platform for Bavarian companies seeking to expand their operations in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian market. According to Tokayev, companies could use the city to establish engineering and service units, demonstrate their technologies, find local partners and implement investment projects.
Focus on skills and vocational training
Tokayev stressed that the implementation of these projects would depend on the availability of qualified specialists. He proposed that Kazakhstan draw on Bavaria’s experience with its dual vocational education system, suggesting that professional training and engineering development could become an integral part of major industrial projects implemented by Bavarian companies in Kazakhstan.
As a further step toward strengthening business ties, Tokayev proposed establishing a Representative Office of Bavarian Economy in Almaty. The office could support German companies operating in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia.
