ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom are seeking to build on rapidly growing bilateral trade by expanding Kazakh exports beyond raw materials and deepening cooperation in mineral processing and higher-value production.
Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev meets with UK Trade Envoy Lord John Alderdice. Photo credit: Ministry of Trade and Integration.
The push reflects a broader shift in the bilateral relationship. As outlined in a recent analysis for The Astana Times, the entry into force of the UK-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (SPCA) in July has created a wider institutional framework for cooperation in critical minerals, trade, logistics, education and technology.
The agreement points to a gradual shift from a relationship centered largely on resource extraction toward one focused on processing, technology, investment and higher-value production. Recent developments, including a $107 million agreement on rhenium recycling and Kazakhstan’s first multimodal fertilizer shipment to the UK via the Middle Corridor, illustrate how that shift is beginning to translate into practical projects.
Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev discussed the priorities with the UK Government’s Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan and Central Asia, Lord John Alderdice, focusing on trade diversification, industrial cooperation, investment, and scientific and educational ties.
Trade between Kazakhstan and the UK reached $1.63 billion in 2025, up 83.7% from 2024. In January-July, turnover reached $1.25 billion, up 68.5% from the same period the previous year, reported the ministry’s press service on Sept. 22.
Despite the strong growth, Kazakhstan is seeking to diversify its trade structure. Current exports to the UK are dominated by silver, crude oil, copper and copper cathodes.
“It is important for us to move from the achieved growth to deeper and more diversified trade. First and foremost, we are interested in expanding the export of Kazakh products to the British market beyond raw materials,” Shakkaliyev said.
To support this effort, Shakkaliyev proposed organizing a trade and economic mission for British importers and retail chain representatives to visit Kazakhstan and establish direct contacts with domestic producers. The officials also discussed British requirements for product quality, certification, packaging and standards.
Critical minerals emerged as another key area, with the officials highlighting opportunities to move beyond extraction toward processing and the production of higher value-added products.
Lord Alderdice said British companies and universities could work with Kazakhstan not only in resource extraction but also in developing processing capacity.
“Kazakhstan has significant natural resources, but it is especially important that you set the task not to limit yourselves to their extraction, but to create added value and develop processing. It is precisely here that we see great opportunities for cooperation,” he said.
The meeting also covered prospects for British investment in manufacturing, energy, logistics and high-tech industries, alongside efforts to strengthen direct links between companies.
The officials also discussed standardization and export readiness as part of efforts to help Kazakh producers enter the British market. Kazakhstan expressed interest in exchanging expertise with the British Institute of Export and International Trade and expanding cooperation between KazStandard and the British Standards Institution (BSI).
The officials also considered preparations for carbon-related trade requirements, including the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as well as cooperation between universities and research institutions in mining, mineral processing and the nuclear industry.
Following the meeting, Shakkaliyev and Lord Alderdice confirmed their interest in developing specific trade, investment, industrial and research projects and expanding direct contacts between businesses and relevant organizations in Kazakhstan and the UK.
