Bavaria's Primary Trading Ally Shifts to Kazakhstan in CIS and Central Asian Regions
Kickin' It in Kazakhstan: Bavaria's Top Dog in Central Asia's Trade Game
Photocredit: primeminister.kz
Astana, here we come! Kazakhstan has snatched the crown as Bavaria's primo trading partner in Central Asia, bragged Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy, Hubert Aiwanger, during a chin-wag at the Kazakh-Bavarian Business Dialogue on April 4th.
According to the Prime Minister's press service, the event saw a Kazakh delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar. The contingent had paid a visit to Germany earlier, with meetings in the federal state of Hesse under their belt.
The roundtable was a huddle of serious business folks representing companies like Horsch, Linde Gas AG, and Rhenus. They shared tales of their Kazakhstan adventures and discussed Kazakhstan's growing financial and business potential.
At a one-on-one powwow, Aiwanger sang praises for Kazakhstan's impressive economic development and its ongoing diversification progress. He pointed a finger at the launch of direct Shymkent-Munich flights at the end of May as a significant next step.
Sklyar, in turn, chatted it up with Bavaria's European and International Affairs Minister Eric Beißwenger. The latter expressed a high interest in bulking up commercial and humanitarian ties with Kazakhstan and committed to backing joint initiatives.
Bavaria, the powerhouse of Germany's economic engine, is making bank with Kazakhstan. Bilateral trade between the two totaled a cool €4.7 billion (US$5.1 billion) in 2024, nudging up almost half of Kazakhstan's total trade with Germany.
Kazakh crude oil accounts for approximately half of Bavaria's oil imports. Despite ranking 43rd among Germany's trading partners, Kazakhstan holds the 21st position on Bavaria's trading partner leaderboard, toppling heavyweights like Belgium, Türkiye, and Japan in terms of import volume.
It's game on in Kazakhstan! With promising economic synergies, strengthening collaborations, and lucrative trade dynamics, Kazakhstan has caught the attention of Bavaria—a prime gateway to Central Asia's burgeoning markets.
- The Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, noted the significant growth in trade between Bavaria and Kazakhstan, with Kazakhstan being Bavaria's top trading partner in Central Asia.
- During the Kazakh-Bavarian Business Dialogue, Aiwanger praised Kazakhstan's impressive economic development and ongoing diversification, particularly mentioning the launch of direct Shymkent-Munich flights as a significant step.
- The industry representatives from companies like Horsch, Linde Gas AG, and Rhenus, who were present at the roundtable, discussed Kazakhstan's growing financial and business potential.
- Bavaria's European and International Affairs Minister, Eric Beißwenger, expressed a high interest in strengthening commercial and humanitarian ties with Kazakhstan, committing to backing joint initiatives, thereby signifying the active involvement of the finance and business industry in this endeavor.
