Kazakhstan and UK Strengthen Strategic Partnership Across Key Industries
Strengthening Ties: Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom Forge New Partnership
ASTANA – In a significant move to enhance cooperation, Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom signed a partnership and cooperation agreement that opens up new avenues in critical minerals, green energy, climate change, transport and logistics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, education, and finance. This announcement was made during the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held on April 30 in London.
Leading the Kazakh delegation was Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov, while the UK was represented by Douglas Alexander, Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security at the Department for Business and Trade.
Kuantyrov highlighted the importance of the UK as one of Kazakhstan’s key trading partners and a leading investor, with total foreign direct investments exceeding $22 billion. He stated, “We greatly value the UK’s contribution to the development of Kazakhstan’s key industries and are committed to building a next-level partnership—focused on investment, technology, and knowledge transfer.”
During the meeting, several bilateral documents were signed, including a Protocol of the Intergovernmental Commission, a Roadmap for cooperation in agriculture, and memorandums focusing on water resource management and the localization of biopharmaceuticals in collaboration with AstraZeneca.
The partnership with AstraZeneca is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to foster innovation within Kazakhstan’s healthcare system and support governmental initiatives. The launch of contract manufacturing for the first batch of AstraZeneca’s original drugs is anticipated to take place in Kazakhstan this month. Since 2022, AstraZeneca has invested over 3.5 billion tenge (US$6.7 million) in the country’s healthcare sector.
For the first time in bilateral history, the Kazakh delegation visited the Discovery Centre (DISC)—AstraZeneca’s largest research and innovation center in Cambridge. The purpose of this visit was to explore best practices in scientific innovation, drug development, and clinical trials, further showcasing both countries’ commitment to advancing healthcare and technology.
These agreements and initiatives mark a crucial expansion of Kazakhstan-UK relations, promising mutual benefits in various sectors while paving the way for future collaboration efforts.
