Kazakhstan and Bulgaria Highlight Strategic Sectors at Business Forum

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev took part in the Kazakhstan–Bulgaria business forum on June 9, where he called Bulgarian President Rumen Radev’s visit a step toward deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries, Orda.kz reports.

Toqayev noted that Kazakhstan and Bulgaria have built strong and respectful political ties over the past 30 years, but emphasized that there remains untapped potential for expanding trade and investment. He proposed that the Kazakh-Bulgarian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation serve as a key platform for enhancing bilateral ties.

Among the priority areas for collaboration, Toqayev first highlighted transport and logistics. Kazakhstan currently handles 85% of cargo traffic between Europe and China via land routes, and the volume of shipments through the Middle Corridor is growing.

He welcomed the involvement of BMF Port Burgas as a key Black Sea hub in this effort.

The second area of focus was energy, particularly green technologies. Kazakhstan has become a destination for international investment in renewable energy and aims to cooperate with Bulgaria under the Black Sea Energy initiative. Toqayev also noted Kazakhstan’s status as the world’s leading uranium producer and its plans to develop nuclear energy.

Agriculture was named as the third major sector. Kazakhstan exports wheat and flour to more than 70 countries and ranks among the top ten grain exporters. Toqayev expressed interest in working with Bulgarian partners in meat and dairy production, honey, and vegetable oils, and welcomed Lekkerbek’s intention to invest in meat processing in Shymkent.

He also pointed to opportunities in pharmaceuticals and digital technologies. Kazakhstan is investing in artificial intelligence infrastructure, including supercomputers and data centers. A pilot zone named CryptoCity is currently under development to integrate cryptocurrencies into daily economic activity.

Toqayev invited Bulgarian companies to join the Astana International Financial Centre, emphasizing its growing ecosystem.

Later, Toqayev saw off President Rumen Radev at the capital's airport. During the visit, the two leaders signed several memoranda, including agreements on expanding the Trans-Caspian route, enhancing diplomatic relations, and strengthening municipal and business ties.

The countries also agreed to intensify cooperation in logistics by integrating the ports of Burgas and Varna into the Trans-Caspian corridor. A working group under the intergovernmental commission will be established to support this initiative.

Humanitarian and cultural cooperation was also discussed, including plans to name a street in Astana after Sofia, in a reciprocal gesture to Sofia's existing Astana Street.

Original Authors: Rustam Muratov, Artyom Volkov