KUALA LUMPUR, Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Kazakhstan is projected to climb to US$1 billion annually within the next three to four years, driven by robust growth and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliev, said trade turnover in the first half of 2025 surged nearly 46 per cent year-on-year to US$98.9 million. During the period, Kazakhstan’s exports to Malaysia more than tripled to US$2.8 million, while imports grew to US$96.1 million.
“These figures highlight the strong interest of our business communities and the vast potential for further collaboration,” he told Bernama at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025.
He said Kazakhstan traditionally exports ores, metals, coal, and agro-industrial products, while Malaysia’s main exports to Kazakhstan include palm oil, coffee and tea extracts, household appliances, and electronics.
“This shows broad opportunities to diversify and deepen cooperation. Kazakhstan has the capacity to increase supplies of non-resource goods to Malaysia, with high potential in metallurgy, food, engineering, chemicals, transport, and construction materials. Our export potential to Malaysia alone exceeds US$30 million,” Shakkaliev added.
He stressed that Malaysia is a key partner for Kazakhstan in Southeast Asia, serving as a vital gateway to ASEAN. For the first time, Kazakhstan has sent a trade and economic mission to MIHAS, comprising 20 companies showcasing products such as meat, honey, flour, pasta, vegetable oils, powdered camel milk, beverages, cosmetics, personal care items, and textiles.
“This reflects Kazakhstan’s focus on expanding non-resource exports and offering high-quality, value-added products that meet global demand for environmentally friendly goods,” he said.
At MIHAS 2025, Kazakhstan also set up a national pavilion to highlight its competitive products and strengthen partnerships with Malaysian importers, distributors, and retailers.
Meanwhile, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said bilateral trade hit US$142 million in 2024, up 35.7 per cent from the previous year. Malaysia’s exports grew 13.4 per cent to US$116.2 million, while imports from Kazakhstan jumped more than tenfold to US$25.8 million.
“Within Central Asia, Kazakhstan stands as Malaysia’s top trading partner, leading export destination, and largest import source—underscoring its central role in our regional trade ties,” Reezal Merican noted.
He added that nine Kazakh firms joined the International Sourcing Programme (INSP) at MIHAS 2025, alongside 19 exhibitors, showing Kazakhstan’s determination to tap into new opportunities in Malaysia’s dynamic market.
The event also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MATRADE and QazTrade, Kazakhstan’s national development institute for non-resource exports. The agreement will enhance trade facilitation, market intelligence sharing, and business collaboration between both countries.
