Turkey and Kazakhstan are stepping up efforts to deepen economic ties, with officials from both countries agreeing on a new set of joint industrial projects and setting an ambitious bilateral trade target of $15 billion, as Ankara prepares for a state visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Astana.
A New Model of Economic Cooperation
The announcements came during the 14th Intergovernmental Commission meeting held in Astana on 17 April 2026. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said the two nations are shifting towards a more practical and diversified model of economic partnership, with Kazakhstan aiming to move away from raw material exports in favour of higher value-added goods produced in collaboration with Turkish companies.
"On the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the government is carrying out systemic work to launch a new investment cycle and attract high-quality investments,"Bektenov said, adding that Kazakhstan stands ready to offer full support for new joint ventures.
Record Trade and a Higher Target
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz noted that bilateral trade between the two countries had already hit a record $10 billion and said both sides are committed to pushing that figure even higher.
"Our goal is to achieve the $15 billion trade volume set by our presidents,"Yılmaz said, adding that speeding up customs and logistics processes and increasing mutual investment are among the top priorities to reach that milestone.
In 2025 alone, bilateral trade grew by 9% to reach €4.6 billion. Kazakhstan's exports to Turkey rose by more than 17% to €3.3 billion, while Turkish imports into Kazakhstan totalled €1.3 billion. Turkey currently ranks among Kazakhstan's top five trading partners, with more than 5,000 Turkish-capital companies operating in the country and a joint project portfolio of over 170 initiatives valued at approximately €8 billion.
Joint Industrial Projects on the Table
Officials unveiled a series of concrete industrial plans to underpin the expanded partnership. These include:
- Construction of an agricultural processing plant in Astana
- Development of a logistics hub in Aktobe
- Expansion of pharmaceutical production in Almaty
- Launch of an aluminium plant in Shymkent
The two sides also signed a joint action plan that will function as a roadmap for bilateral trade and economic cooperation going forward.
The Middle Corridor as a Strategic Priority
A key theme throughout the talks was the growing strategic importance of the Middle Corridor, the overland trade route connecting Asia and Europe that passes through Kazakhstan and Turkey. Vice President Yılmaz described it as no longer merely an alternative route but a necessity given current global disruptions.
"The Northern Corridor has become unpredictable due to geopolitical tensions. The southern route is pushing the limits of its capacity. This situation has made the Middle Corridor not an alternative but a mandatory choice, with Türkiye and Kazakhstan at the centre of this route,"Yılmaz said.
He added that the corridor carries significance far beyond the two countries, describing it as a lifeline for all of Eurasia whose strength would determine the durability of jointly built prosperity across the region.
The flurry of diplomatic and economic activity sets the stage for an upcoming state visit to Kazakhstan by President Erdoğan, which is expected to further cement the two countries' growing partnership.
