The International Forum on Trade and Economic Cooperation «China (Foshan) – Kazakhstan (Almaty, Almaty Region)» was held in Almaty, bringing together representatives of business, government agencies, and industry associations from both countries.
Press Office: pr@worldsilkway.com
Against the backdrop of Kazakhstan’s growing role as a transit corridor between China and Central Asia, participants – representatives of government bodies, businesses, and the industrial sector – focused not on general statements, but on practical solutions for business.
The forum united dozens of companies and industry associations interested in expanding trade, localizing production, and establishing joint ventures. Among the speakers and special guests were former Chairman of the Agency for Anti-Corruption of Kazakhstan Alick Shpekbayev, Member of the Standing Committee of Foshan City and Vice Mayor Xu Wei, Deputy Head of Gaoming District of Foshan City Zhu Lijian, Founder of the Republican Center for Assistance to Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan Nurgul Orazaliyeva, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Altyn Bank Yu Yusheng, and others.
The central topics of discussion were reducing logistics costs, simplifying market access, and building sustainable supply chains amid growing regional demand. As noted by the project leader and Director of World Silk Way LLP, Azat Asembay, the key request from businesses today is not declarations, but concrete mechanisms of interaction and direct contacts between partners:
«Today’s forum is undoubtedly an important step. It is here that contacts are formed, mutual interest emerges, and understanding appears of where the points of intersection between our sides may lie. However, any first contact requires continuation – in the format of negotiations, discussion of terms, and reaching specific agreements. That is why we view today’s forum as the beginning of longer and more systematic work. It is important to understand that Central Asia today is a single space of opportunities with growing demand, developing infrastructure, and strengthening trade ties. This is more than 80 million consumers, which for manufacturers means the opportunity to work not with one country, but with the entire region at once. Moreover, this is a market in the stage of active development with high growth potential remaining. Kazakhstan plays a key role in accessing this market. Today, it is the main transport and logistics corridor between China, Europe, Russia, and the countries of Central Asia. By cooperating with Kazakhstan, manufacturers gain access to the entire region. Separately, it is worth highlighting Almaty as the largest city, financial and trade center of the region, where the main distribution channels, retail chains, markets, and a significant part of consumer demand are concentrated. It is here that the primary market with which suppliers work is formed. A new growth center is also emerging – the city of Alatau, a large-scale project that will develop in the coming years and create additional demand for products in construction, equipping, and infrastructure. Almaty and the Almaty Region are not only a place for the first contact, but also a real base for further practical cooperation. We propose to view this as a systemic opportunity for market entry and the development of international business».
Meanwhile, the forum program was built around presentations of the investment and industrial potential of both sides. Foshan (China) was presented as one of the largest export and manufacturing centers, while Almaty and the Almaty Region were positioned as a platform for localization and business scaling across Central Asia.
Emphasizing the strategic role of the agglomeration, Baurzhan Yermekbayev, Representative of the Regional Development Center of the Almaty Region, highlighted the region’s potential as one of the key hubs for Eurasian trade and investment:
«Today, the Almaty Region is a point where the main economic and transport flows of Eurasia converge. Thanks to our geographical location, cargo delivery between China and Europe is reduced by more than three times, and currently up to 92% of such shipments pass through Kazakhstan. However, for us it is important not only our transit position – the region is building a full-fledged industrial and agricultural economy with a GRP of over 6 trillion tenge and steady growth. We offer investors not just ideas, but ready-made infrastructure: the Alatau Special Economic Zone, industrial zones, logistics clusters, and access to a market of more than 350 million consumers. Our goal is not only to attract investments, but to build long-term partnerships and jointly create new production facilities and export products».
The presentation «Foshan: Industrial Potential, Export Opportunities, Presentation of Chancheng and Gaoming Districts» was delivered by Shu Gang, Deputy Head of Chancheng District, and Zhu Lijian, Member of the Standing Committee and Deputy Head of Gaoming District of Foshan. The speakers highlighted opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation and the strong comprehensive capabilities of the districts. In 2025, the total retail trade turnover of Chancheng reached approximately $12 billion USD. On average, a well-known brand opened a branch or regional headquarters here every week. Gaoming District alone is home to more than 230 enterprises, 125 of which specialize in electrical equipment.
Particular attention was paid to the construction industry, which is showing steady growth in the region. Discussions focused on joint production of construction materials and equipment, as well as attracting investment into infrastructure projects.
Business representatives noted that interest in localizing production in Kazakhstan is growing. Timur Nurtaev, Director of the Almaty Branch of the Union of Builders of Kazakhstan, emphasized:
«The construction sector in Kazakhstan is growing rapidly: in 2025, its volume exceeded 10.7 trillion tenge ($23 billion), and housing commissioning reached 20.1 million square meters amid the rapid population growth in Almaty and Astana. However, the market remains heavily dependent on imports – up to 65% of construction materials and almost all equipment are supplied from abroad, creating significant opportunities for production localization. Large infrastructure and tourism projects provide additional momentum».
In parallel with the main program, the forum included B2B negotiations. Experts emphasize that the development of direct contacts can become a key factor in reducing barriers to mutual trade and accelerating economic integration.
The forum concluded with a roundtable discussion involving official and institutional representatives of China and Kazakhstan, as well as the signing of cooperation memorandums. These included agreements between the Republican Association of Legal Entities «Union of Builders of Kazakhstan» and the Foshan Federation of Industry and Trade, as well as a document between the forum organizer – World Silk Way company – and the Chinese company Guangdong Hao Xiaohan Exhibition Co., Ltd.
It should be noted that the Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum «China (Foshan) – Kazakhstan (Almaty, Almaty Region)» is part of the business ecosystem of the international industry exhibition HomeTech & Electra, which will be held in Almaty from August 6 to 8, 2026, and will also be dedicated to the development of multilateral international cooperation in the region.
For reference:
The international exhibition of electronics and household appliances HomeTech & Electra was first held in 2024 in Almaty. The project brings together manufacturers, distributors, and representatives of the electronics, digital technologies, and household appliances sectors. The business program of HomeTech & Electra 2025 was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of Almaty, the Akimat of the Almaty Region, the Entrepreneurship and Investment Department of Almaty, the Working Committee of the Digital Technologies Platform for SCO Countries, JSC «National Agency for Innovation Development „QazInnovations”», the Samruk-Kazyna Fund, and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs «Atameken».
The project is presented by World Silk Way company.
Press Office: pr@worldsilkway.com
