On 17 March 2026, Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Board of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan, met in Astana with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Kazakhstan, Georgi Vodenski, and the Embassy's Economic Adviser, Tsvetozar Genchev. They discussed trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, which have maintained diplomatic relations for more than 30 years.
Kazakhstan mainly exports crude oil, natural gas and unprocessed aluminium to Bulgaria, along with polypropylene, dried legumes and orthopaedic products. Bulgaria's main exports to Kazakhstan are medicines and medical equipment, bakery products, beer and chocolate, as well as lifts and lifting and transport equipment.
62 companies with Bulgarian capital operate in Kazakhstan, including Bulmarket DM, Monbat Group and Sopharma. The first stage of JASYL SUYQ QAZAQSTAN LLP, a joint venture with the Bulgarian company UBC BG that produces industrial refrigeration equipment, is already operating, and its production is being expanded. Further joint projects are being explored.
During Bulgarian President Rumen Radev's visit to Kazakhstan in 2025, the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen trade and investment ties and direct contacts between businesses. Under this memorandum, the sides discussed creating a Kazakh-Bulgarian Business Council:
- The Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan has sent a draft agreement to the Bulgarian side
- A pool of interested companies is being formed
- Priority sectors for cooperation are being identified
Both sides confirmed their interest in deeper business ties and new joint projects.
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