Kazakhstan, Germany Expand Cooperation in Green Energy
German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck conveyed Germany’s increasing interest in Kazakhstan’s green transformation during negotiations with a Kazakh delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar on Nov. 20 in Berlin, reported the Prime Minister’s press service.
The interest is driven by Kazakhstan’s cheap energy sources and its appeal for large-scale green projects, particularly in the production of energy-intensive products.
Svevind Energy Group initiates the construction of a green hydrogen production complex in western Kazakhstan, attracting an investment of approximately $50 billion. A German hydrogen diplomacy office was opened in Astana this year to effectively implement one of the largest projects in the global hydrogen industry.
The ministers focused on trade and economic cooperation, prioritizing industry, energy, trade, transport, logistics, and agriculture sectors. Sklyar welcomed Kazakhstan’s inclusion in the list of 34 countries eligible for a preferential procedure for investment guarantees.
“We consider this not only an important signal of recognition of our country’s high political stability and security of investments, but also confirmation of interest in expanding business partnerships,” he emphasized. Habeck called energy and resources cooperation with Kazakhstan as one of the most popular sectors for the German economy. He noted ongoing interaction between the Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources and the National Geological Service of Kazakhstan, which are expected to form a list of joint specific projects by the summer of 2024.
During the negotiations with Executive Director of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy Michael Harms, Sklyar touched on the improvement of activities of the Kazakh-German Business Council, the intergovernmental Kazakh-German working group on trade and economic cooperation, the working group on joint project financing and risk hedging, and the Berlin Eurasian Club.
Kazakhstan stands as Germany’s leading trade and economic partner in the region, accounting for over 80% of the total volume of German trade with Central Asian countries.
Source: astanatimes
