Cooperation instead of competition. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are entering a new level of partnership. The cooperation between the two countries is developing in the fields of trade, industry, logistics, and digitalization.
Speaking at the Kazakhstan–Azerbaijan Business Forum in Astana, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aidar Abildabekov noted that economic ties between the two countries are steadily strengthening. In January–August 2025, mutual trade turnover reached $343.3 million, with Kazakhstan’s exports amounting to $290.8 million and imports from Azerbaijan increasing by more than 58%.
According to the Vice Minister, Kazakhstan proposes expanding the export basket with Azerbaijan, including approximately 14.5 million tons of agricultural products — such as grains, oilseeds, flour, oil, and potatoes.
“Today, it is important to build sustainable production chains and joint projects that create added value. This is the essence of cooperation. We will develop not in parallel, but together,” he emphasized.
During the forum, an official ceremony was held to sign 16 agreements and memorandums of cooperation between representatives of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The signed documents cover areas such as industry, tourism, education, digital technologies, and logistics.
Cooperation was reinforced by memorandums between “Kazpost” and Zira Port, the “Atameken” National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the KOBIA agency, as well as several private companies from both countries. One of the key areas of collaboration was the partnership between the national export support institutions — QazTrade and AZPROMO.
“We see great opportunities in the agro-industrial sector and industrial cooperation. Kazakhstan, together with Azerbaijani partners, is ready to establish new production facilities, develop processing and packaging industries, and enter third-country markets. For us, cooperation is not just an idea but a practical tool that helps companies move from words to real contracts,” said QazTrade CEO Aitmukhamed Aldazharov.