In his address, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warmly welcomed King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to the fourth session of the Kazakhstan-Belgium Business Council. He emphasized that their participation was a clear testament to the deep friendship between the two countries and their shared determination to elevate bilateral partnership to a qualitatively new level.
According to the Head of State, Belgium ranks among the ten largest investors in Kazakhstan’s economy. Over the past two decades, Belgian companies have invested more than 15 billion US dollars in the country.
“Over a 100 of Belgian enterprises and joint ventures successfully operate in our country in agribusiness, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, advanced technologies and energy. These include leading Belgian companies such as Jan De Nul, Sarens, and Ahlers. I am pleased to observe that our bilateral trade is also growing. In the first eight months of this year, our two-way trade rose by almost ten percent. Anyway, I believe that there is still a lot of work to be done to facilitate trade, make it grow much faster to meet the expectations of our peoples. In the regional context, Kazakhstan is Belgium’s largest trading partner in Central Asia,” the Head of State noted.
The President highlighted King Philippe’s personal contribution to expanding bilateral trade and economic ties.
“Sixteen years ago, you led a Trade Mission to Kazakhstan that laid a firm foundation for lasting B2B engagement. Your steadfast support for Belgium enterprise has been instrumental in advancing the partnership we mark today. Yet the scope for cooperation is far greater,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
According to him, transport and logistics represent one of the key areas for strengthening cooperation. He noted that Kazakhstan was making substantial investments in modernizing its railway and road infrastructure, seaports and terminals along the Middle Corridor.
“In this context, Belgium’s rich experience as a major European logistics center is particularly valuable to us. We anticipate a concrete partnership linking the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, with the ports of Aktau and Kuryk. This could open wider markets for our metals, petrochemicals and agricultural products,” he said.
The President identified the development of artificial intelligence and the technology industry as key priorities for strengthening the partnership.
“Driven by AI and digital transformation, we are accelerating landmark initiatives like Alem Ai, Alatau city to build next-generation hubs for advanced industries. Belgium’s strength in semiconductor research opens new opportunities for new projects and partnerships, the Head of State says.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also drew attention to the prospects for expanding cooperation in energy and petrochemicals.
“Kazakhstan is a reliable oil supplier to European markets. At the same time, there is considerable potential for cooperation in renewables, energy efficiency, industrial decarbonization and hydrogen production. I invite Belgian companies to pursue joint projects in advanced processing, chemicals and high-value polymer products,” the President proposed.
The President went on to note that the energy transition and the development of the digital economy were creating significant opportunities for industrial cooperation in critical minerals. He welcomed the Kazakhstan-Belgium Roundtable on Critical Minerals held as part of King Philippe’s state visit.
“Kazakhstan already produces 21 of the 34 raw materials considered critical to European industry and supplies Belgium with titanium and molybdenum products. By combining our resource potential with Belgian investment, technologies and expertise, we can establish strategic partnership in this critically important area. I look forward to concrete investment and technology projects as a practical outcome of this event. Our ambition is to develop a stronger domestic processing industry and produce more high-value goods. John Cockerill’s partnership with Qarmet on new galvanizing and coating facilities is a concrete example of our industrial cooperation. We also welcome Belgian partners in geological exploration, advanced processing and metals recycling,” the President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan attached particular importance to increasing productivity, expanding agricultural processing and ensuring the efficient use of water and land resources. These areas offer opportunities for joint projects. In addition, the Head of State considers it important to strengthen partnerships in the fields of medicine and pharmaceuticals. The President also underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in medicine and pharmaceuticals.
“We welcome cooperation with IBA to expand access to proton therapy in Kazakhstan. Joint programs in specialist training and clinical research can strengthen our expertise in advanced cancer treatment. We also invite Belgian pharmaceutical companies to establish production in Kazakhstan,” the President said.
The Head of State further emphasized Kazakhstan’s interest in attracting smart and business-minded people willing to work alongside our citizens.
“The more they come to our country, the better for all of us because it is about exchanges, either human or expertise, and it is very much appreciated in my country. As president of Kazakhstan, I first of all do care about the brains of people who come to us, but don’t care about their ethnicities,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.
The President then outlined systematic measures to improve the investment climate, strengthen the rule of law, protect fair competition and maintain direct dialogue with investors.
“According to the international research and rating agencies, Kazakhstan has been recognized recently as the world’s thirty-fourth among the most powerful countries. Except macroeconomic dimension, my country started to do well in many areas, including social protection, innovation policy, digitalization and artificial intelligence, foreign policy and development of science, education, promoting the supremacy of law, protecting environment and ecology, promoting volunteering, and most importantly, protecting legal human rights. All these principles were fixed in our new Constitution and have become commitments of all citizens of my country, including me as president of this country. Our motto is “Unity in diversity”. And in this period of making Kazakhstan stable and peaceful, we have created business climate which is hospitable and friendly to all foreign businesses, including those that come from Belgium,” the President noted.
King Philippe emphasized in his address that Brussels and Astana have all the necessary prerequisites to strengthen ties between Europe and Central Asia.
“Belgium is a gateway to Europe at the heart of the European Union with strong expertise in technology, innovation, clean energy, logistics, and international trade. Kazakhstan is a gateway across Eurasia. With its unique geographical position, considerable natural resources, it has become a regional center for trade, investment, and green development, giving it a distinctive role in the global economy. This creates a natural synergy,” he said.
Addressing business representatives from both countries, the King of the Belgians called for enhanced cooperation in promising areas such as energy, critical raw materials, transport and logistics, finance and tourism.
“Belgium and Kazakhstan may be geographically distant, but in ambition, pragmatism, and determination, we are remarkably close,” King Philippe concluded.
