Kazakhstan-Korea Business Forum Held in Almaty
On August 27, Almaty hosted the Kazakhstan-Korea Business Forum, timed to coincide with the visit of a delegation from the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) to Kazakhstan. The main objective of the event was the further development of business ties and practical support for Kazakhstani enterprises that are actively entering the South Korean market and expanding their export shipments. The forum gathered around 200 delegates and representatives from more than 80 Kazakhstani and Korean companies.
Aidar Abildabekov, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech, highlighting Kazakhstan's significant export and resource potential, as well as the advanced technological expertise of its Korean partners. Trade and economic cooperation between the two nations shows stable dynamics: trade turnover in 2025 reached USD 3.17 billion, while in the first six months of 2026 it amounted to USD 1.3 billion. Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Yoon Young-mi, Chairman of KOIMA; Ha Tae-uk, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Almaty; and Olzhas Smagulov, Deputy Akim of Almaty.
As part of the business program, the Korean side was represented by Cho Kye-kwon, Director General of KOTRA Almaty Trade Center, and Park Chun-il, Executive Managing Director of KOIMA. The Kazakhstani side was widely represented by development institutions and domestic businesses. Special attention was paid to the participation of representatives from the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan, who presented insurance and financial support instruments for domestic exporters expanding into the Korean market. Assel Suankulova, Managing Director of "NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC, spoke about the advantages of the investment climate, state support measures, and comprehensive project support. The discussions also featured Ainur Amirbekova, Deputy Director General of QazTrade; Zhanibek Kenzhebayev, Chairman of the Board of the TURAN Livestock Breeders Association; Indira Kapalbayeva, Head of the Sales Department at the Burnoye Dairy Company; and representatives of "Atasu Global trans" LLC.
The forum concluded with a series of B2B meetings, where Kazakhstani exporters and Korean importers held direct negotiations regarding product supplies to South Korea.
