The International Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum “China (Foshan) – Kazakhstan” was held in Almaty, bringing together representatives of government agencies, business, and industry associations from both countries.
The key focus of the event was on practical solutions for business – from reducing logistics costs to establishing direct contacts between partners.
Against the backdrop of Kazakhstan’s growing role as a transit corridor between China and Central Asia, participants focused on such tasks as simplifying market access, localizing production, and creating joint ventures.
The forum was attended by representatives of government bodies and the business community, including a delegation from Foshan City, financial institutions, and industry associations.
As noted by the project leader and Director of World Silk Way LLP, Azat Assembay, the main request from businesses today is related to building direct connections and clear mechanisms of interaction.
According to him, Central Asia represents a single space of opportunities with a population of more than 80 million people, while Kazakhstan plays a key role as a transport and logistics hub providing access to regional markets. At the same time, Almaty serves as the largest financial and trade center in the region.
The business program of the forum was built around presentations of the economic potential of both sides. Foshan was presented as one of the largest industrial and export centers in southern China with a GDP of 1.34 trillion yuan (about $196.4 billion) and foreign trade turnover of approximately 500 billion yuan. The city specializes in machinery manufacturing, household appliances, ceramics, construction materials, and electronics.
In turn, Almaty and the Almaty Region serve as platforms for business localization and scaling in Central Asia. Almaty accounts for 22.9% of the country’s GDP – about 31.3 trillion tenge ($65.6 billion) – and generates more than one-third of Kazakhstan’s wholesale and retail trade. The region features well-developed industrial and innovation infrastructure, including the Almaty Industrial Zone and the “Park of Innovative Technologies” Special Economic Zone.
The Almaty Region demonstrates strong positions in industry and the agro-industrial complex. In 2025, the volume of industrial production reached 2.6 trillion tenge. The development of new growth points, including the city of Alatau and cross-border logistics hubs, enhances the region’s investment attractiveness.
Special attention at the forum was paid to the construction industry, which continues to show steady growth. According to industry participants, in 2025 the volume of the construction sector in Kazakhstan exceeded 10.7 trillion tenge, while the market remains heavily dependent on imports, creating opportunities for production localization and investment attraction.
The Chinese side presented the potential of Chancheng and Gaoming districts of Foshan. It was noted that Gaoming alone hosts more than 230 enterprises, including 125 companies in the electrical equipment sector, while Chancheng demonstrates a high level of business activity and retail trade development.
In parallel with the main program, B2B negotiations were held, during which companies established direct contacts and discussed promising projects. Participants noted that the development of direct interaction helps reduce barriers in mutual trade and accelerate the launch of joint initiatives.
As noted by Assiya Abil, representative of the forum organizer “World Silk Way”, one of the key challenges of business events is that a significant part of contacts is lost after they end. According to her, the B2B Way Club platform was created specifically to solve this issue, aimed at supporting business connections after events.
She emphasized that B2B Way Club allows parties to record mutual interest, structure requests, and maintain communication until concrete agreements are reached. Thus, the platform helps turn initial contacts received at forums and exhibitions into real business results and partnerships.
The forum concluded with a roundtable involving official and institutional representatives of both sides, as well as the signing of cooperation memorandums between the Republican Association of Legal Entities “Union of Builders of Kazakhstan” and the Foshan Federation of Industry and Trade, and between World Silk Way and Guangdong Hao Xiaohan Exhibition Co., Ltd.
This event became 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 focus on the development of multilateral international cooperation and the expansion of business ties in the region.
