BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 29. The inaugural
official visit of Alexander Stubb to Kazakhstan as President of
Finland, taking place on October 28–29, 2025, once again showed
that even nations miles apart can weave a rich tapestry of shared
interests and golden opportunities.
Finland, a country that’s got its ducks in a row when it comes
to technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, is setting
its sights on Central Asia with growing enthusiasm. Kazakhstan, for
its part, is on the lookout for partners who are willing to roll up
their sleeves and bring cutting-edge technologies and know-how to
the table for the green transition. So, two nations sitting at
opposite ends of Eurasia are joining forces, building bridges on
the solid ground of pragmatism and mutual trust.
Since 2005, Finland has allocated approximately $500 million in
capital towards Kazakhstan, and by 2025, the bilateral trade volume
surpassed $89 million, with imports from Kazakhstan constituting
over $84 million. Currently, approximately 70 Finnish enterprises
are effectively navigating the Kazakhstani market landscape,
encompassing prominent brands like Wärtsilä, Metso, Peikko,
Tikkurila, and Nurminen Logistics.
President Stubb was accompanied by a business delegation of more
than 20 leading Finnish companies, emphasizing the practical focus
of the talks. Special attention was given to the development of
transport connectivity. Kazakhstan, which handles around 85 percent
of all overland freight traffic between Europe and China, plays a
key role in the formation of the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route (TITR).
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the continued
development of this route, including the launch of the Smart Cargo
digital platform, would strengthen the country’s position as a
Eurasian logistics hub. During the talks, Tokayev also highlighted
the importance of the EU’s Global Gateway project and expressed
interest in expanding cooperation between the ports of Kazakhstan
and Finland, including exchanges between Aktau, Kuryk, Helsinki,
and Hamina-Kotka.
The economic agenda of the talks also included issues of
sustainable financing and interaction between the Astana
International Financial Centre (AIFC) and Finnish financial
institutions. The presidents emphasized the need to promote green
technologies, energy efficiency, and digitalization, as well as to
support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Particular attention was given to energy partnership.
Kazakhstan, the world’s largest producer of uranium, is all set to
join forces with Finland to roll up their sleeves in the peaceful
use of nuclear energy and tackle waste management head-on. The
memorandum signed between Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency and
Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) is expected
to serve as a basis for the exchange of technologies and best
practices in this sensitive area.
Tokayev also expressed interest in applying Finnish technologies
to modernize coal power generation and reduce emissions. Finnish
company Wärtsilä is already implementing hybrid energy systems in
Kazakhstan, while Metso offers mineral processing solutions,
together forming a foundation for sustainable industrial growth and
the export of advanced technologies.
Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan is a significant player in
the production of 21 out of the 34 rare earth elements that are
pivotal to the EU’s economic framework. The country aims to
leverage this strategic advantage by enticing European investment
and technological collaboration in return for access to these vital
resources. In agriculture, the two sides proposed creating joint
ventures for deep processing of agricultural products to increase
added value in export chains.
Cooperation areas also extend to science and digitalization. The
potential use of Finland’s LUMI supercomputer opens opportunities
for partnerships in AI, data analysis, and technical education.
Finland’s SILAM air quality forecasting system, already applied in
Kazakhstan, demonstrates that Finnish climate and environmental
technologies are finding practical applications in the region.
Political cooperation is complemented by peacekeeping
initiatives: joint work will continue between Kazakhstan’s Peace
Operations Center (KAZCENT) and Finland’s International Centre of
Defence Forces (FINCENT). The possibility of easing visa procedures
between Kazakhstan and the EU was also discussed to facilitate
travel and business contacts.
During the visit, Stubb emphasized that political agreements
between Kazakhstan and Finland provide a foundation for business
stability amid growing geoeconomic uncertainty. Finland also
supported Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish in Almaty a UN
Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia
and Afghanistan.
As part of the visit, the Kazakhstan–Finland Business Forum was
held, serving as an important platform for strengthening economic
ties and discussing new directions in industrial and investment
cooperation between the two countries.
A total of fifteen collaborative agreements were formalized
during the visit, encapsulating a diverse spectrum of strategic
alignments—from hydrological resource governance and silviculture
to eco-friendly tourism initiatives, educational frameworks, and
contingency protocols for hydrocarbon spill mitigation.
Focused emphasis within the Finnish-Kazakh collaborative framework
was directed towards the advancement of tourism initiatives and the
promotion of sustainable construction practices. A strategic
memorandum of cooperation was executed between Burabai Damu and the
Finnish entity Honkarakenne, with the objective of enhancing
tourist infrastructure and implementing sustainable construction
methodologies at the Burabai resort in Kazakhstan.
Furthermore, a memorandum of understanding between BI
Construction & Engineering and Peikko Group paves the way for the
joint production of DELTABEAM construction systems in Kazakhstan,
setting the stage for the localization of cutting-edge building
technologies.
In the meantime, TOR’RE and Honkarakenne are rolling up their
sleeves to kick off a pilot project for wooden housing
construction, paving the way for fresh opportunities in green
housing and sustainable urban development in the country.
Among the signed documents is a memorandum of cooperation
between Tengiz Zhasagy and Finland’s Lamor Corporation in the field
of oil spill response and maritime operations support, as well as a
memorandum of understanding between Samruk-Kazyna and Wärtsilä
Finland aimed at developing energy technologies and improving
energy efficiency.
Thus, the key points of convergence between Astana and Helsinki
lie in sustainable development, green energy, logistics, and
innovation. The potential for cooperation is far from exhausted: at
the intersection of Finnish technology and Kazakhstani resources, a
new model of partnership is emerging — one based on mutual trust
and a shared vision for the future.
