Netherlands Investments in Kazakhstan

Relations between the Netherlands and Kazakhstan are good. The Netherlands is the largest investor in Kazakhstan, and the two countries work closely together in the energy and agricultural sectors. The Netherlands has a number of funds from which projects in Kazakhstan, especially human rights projects, can be supported.

Political relations

• Political relations between the Netherlands and Kazakhstan are good. The two countries work together in various fields, for instance non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
• In 2007, a delegation from the Dutch ministries of foreign and economic affairs visited Kazakhstan. In 2009 Kazakhstan’s foreign minister visited the Netherlands, where he met with his counterpart and the Dutch prime minister. Among other topics, they discussed future bilateral and multilateral cooperation, energy policy, efforts to combat terrorism and drug trafficking, and climate change. In 2010, Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Kazakhstan to attend the summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In 2011, the head of Kazakhstan’s largest investment fund visited the Netherlands, where he was received by the Prince of Orange. Minister of State Wim Kok was actively involved in the Astana Economic Forum in the Kazakh capital in 2012.
• The European Union seeks to step up relations with the central Asian countries, and to this end drew up a Strategy for Central Asia in 2007, due for review in 2012. It focuses on themes like human rights, good governance and democratisation, economic development, energy and the environment. In addition, the EU is reviewing its agreement with Kazakhstan on issues such as security, the rule of law, the judicial system, human rights and economic cooperation.
• The Netherlands supports Kazakhstan through international organisations like the OSCE and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which have projects to promote human rights, train police officers, strengthen borders and develop infrastructure and the private sector.

Economic relations

• Economic relations between the Netherlands and Kazakhstan have deepened in recent years.
• Dutch multinationals as well as small and medium-sized businesses – mainly in the energy, agriculture, logistics and port development sectors – are increasingly showing interest in Kazakhstan. According to Kazakhstan’s National Bank, the Netherlands is the country’s largest European investor. Kazakhstan is showing increasing interest in working with the Netherlands in the agricultural, horticultural and poultry sectors.
• There is considerable trade between the Netherlands and Kazakhstan. The Netherlands imports mainly oil and exports chemicals and machinery.