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Kazakhstan targets €45 billion in non-commodity exports as global export insurers turn to Central Asia’

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

This pressure comes as geopolitical instability, including the war in the Middle East’, diverts parts of the global export credit and investment insurance industry to regions where traditional war risk appears to be lower, including Central Asia.

More than 70’ of the world's largest export credit and investment insurance companies gathered at Astana’ for the first regional meeting of the Bernese Union’.

Investment move and ‘Golden Visa’

Kazakhstan owes the increasing attractiveness of the investment environment to what Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov’ describes as the “structural transformation of the region's largest economy.

The members of the Berne Association were invited by ’ to take full advantage of the investment opportunities in Kazakhstan“.

Bektenov, foreign direct investment %Increased by 14.4 to almost 18 billion Euro’, while fixed capital investment %He said that with 13 increases, the record reached 37 billion Euro’.

The country has also launched a “Golden Visa” regime for investors and highly skilled professionals aiming to attract foreign talent and capital.

Interest in export financing is increasing

The meeting opens up new opportunities for the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, which finances large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects.

Marat Yelibayev, chairman of the bank's board of directors, said “ECA’s are helping to reduce risks and attract investors.

Export credit institutions provide insurance and guarantees that protect investors against political and economic risks related to international projects.

Kazakhstan’'s export credit institution, while providing targeted support to domestic exporters, has opened offices in important foreign markets by responding to the needs of international investors.

The state-owned Baiterek National Management Holding, which oversees the country's development institutions, says diversification beyond raw materials remains a priority.

Chairman of the Board Rustam Karagoishin, “Our focus is on creating the necessary conditions for sustainable business development and long-term growth, ” said.

the Ukimet Press Service

OECD compliance improves reliability

According to Silvia Gavornikova’, head of ’'s export credits and competition division, Kazakhstan’'s increased integration into global trade finance networks is also due to closer compliance with OECD export finance standards.

The OECD framework supports international trade by approximately €51 billion annually through officially supported export credit regulations.

Drawing attention to transparency, risk assessment, environmental standards and responsible government support for exports, Gavornikova said “Kazakhstan’'s ECA’ shows a very strong initiative to comply with international norms.

Further compliance with OECD standards could make Kazakhstan a more reliable partner for international banks, insurers and export credit institutions seeking cross-border cooperation.

Critical minerals attract attention

Beyond non-source exports, the Berne Association expects investments in ’'s commodity sectors, particularly critical minerals, to increase in the coming years.

Yuichiro Akita, President of the Berne Association, said that the growing appetite to insure critical mining investments has made ’ a good time to attract investors to Kazakhstan“.

This came as companies linked to Donald Trump’'s sons sought US-backed funding for tungsten mining projects in Kazakhstan’ as part of Washington’'s efforts to reduce its dependence on China’e for strategic mines.

Akita said “, the geopolitical situation is really tough”.

But Kazakhstan now has the resources the world needs. From an investment point of view, we want to work with Kazakh partners because the world needs partners.”

Trade ambitions and the Middle Corridor

Bektenov said the country's new Trade Policy Concept will help increase non-resource exports to around €45 billion by 2030.

Kazakhstan’'s foreign trade turnover is currently around €124 billion, with exports covering nearly 4,000 product categories shipped to 127 countries.

The country is also expanding its network of free trade agreements. New agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Mongolia and Indonesia were added last year to existing agreements with Vietnam, Serbia and Iran.

An important part of the strategy is the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, a multimodal trade corridor connecting ’ to Europe’ via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

Many major infrastructure projects on the route are expected to increase trade volumes and strengthen intercontinental logistics links.

Timur Onzhanov, Baiterek Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Now the business is to share this pipeline with ECA’s and commercial banks so that they can also step in and decide whether they want to provide tools for these projects” said.

The Astana meeting ended with strategic agreements between ’'s export credit institution and leading international export-import banks.

The agreements focus on mutual reassurance of export risks, joint financing of investment projects and support for non-resource exports of ’ in the Middle East and European markets.

MENA leaders call for housing to go beyond ‘brick and mortar at Baku forum

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

The 13th in Baku’ At the World Urban Forum’ (WUF13), the Middle East and North AfricaHousing discussions in ’ went beyond construction goals and funding figures, focusing on resilience, dignity and long-term social stability.

Officials and philanthropic leaders from Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Morocco, as they face the realities of conflict and reconstruction, described how the region is increasingly linking housing policy with employment, climate cohesion and urban inclusion.

Among the strongest messages came from Lamia bint Majid Al Saud’, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies, who argued that housing solutions cannot be copied from one country to another.

Strategies should be built around data and local realities instead of “ approaches, ” said. “, we don't see this as a problem. It's about understanding communities and being creative with solutions.”

Afrika ’ drew attention to projects in which climate-resistant houses were built using natural materials and at the same time, local masons were trained and employment was created next to housing.

According to Alwaleed Philanthropies’, more than 1.2 million homes worldwide have been supported by models adapted to local conditions.

Al Saud also explained how Saudi initiatives are increasingly linking housing assistance, especially for women, to economic empowerment.

The organization, in partnership with Saudi authorities, provides housing units, vehicles and employment training, and connects beneficiaries to ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Careem to generate additional income.

His intervention reflected a broader shift in the MENA debates at WUF13’: housing is no longer seen only as infrastructure, but as part of a wider economic and social ecosystem.

Reconstruction came to the fore in the intervention of Palestinian Local Government Minister Sami Hijawi’nin, who used the forum to draw attention to the humanitarian and urban destruction caused by the war in Gaza’.

Despite serious financial pressures, Palestinian officials rely heavily on international cooperation, development banks and public-private partnerships to prepare for future reconstruction efforts.

Calling for stronger global support for the reconstruction of housing and urban infrastructure, “ said the Palestinian people have decided to stay on their territory.

Hijawi stressed that unemployment has risen sharply due to the war and underlined ongoing talks with international organizations, including the World Bank, to expand financial support programs.

For Palestinian officials, WUF13 served not only as an urban development forum, but also as a diplomatic platform to mobilize international support for reconstruction and long-term housing repair.

Fas’'s Minister of State for Housing Adib Benbrahim presented his country's housing strategy as a regional model of state-led urban transformation, backed by public-private sector investments.

Morocco, with programs aimed at the eradication of slums, middle-class housing, and urban renewal, became the capital of King VI. During Muhammad's time, he made housing the pillar of social policy.

According to Moroccan officials, more than 720,000 ’ homes have been developed through public-private partnerships, and more than 325,000 ’ people have benefited from slum resettlement programs since 2004.

The country is also moving towards a new subsidy model launched in 2024’te; shifts direct financial support from developers to citizens; It gives families more freedom to choose where to live and encourages social diversity.

In addition to housing construction, Morocco is investing in schools, health facilities and urban infrastructure in poor neighborhoods as part of broader urban transformation efforts.

EU signs new trade agreement with Mexico to strengthen its position in Latin America’

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa signed a renewed trade agreement with Mexico on Friday, shortly after Mercosur’, as part of AB’'s efforts to expand its influence in Latin America’. The deal isentered into force.

The agreement was signed at the EU-Mexico summit in ’, Mexico, attended by von der Leyen and Costa’, as well as the country's President Claudia Sheinbaum’, amid heightened geopolitical tensions and changing global alliances following the US president's return to the White House.

The economic partnership between the two medium-sized powers reflects efforts by both sides to reduce their dependence on AB’nin and ABD’ye, the largest trading partner of Mexico’, and China’e, where Mexico’ has become a hub for electric vehicle production.

Von der Leyen, “AB and Mexico are committed to a close strategic partnership, ” added: “ Today's modernized Agreements reveal our shared vision for the future and will bring many benefits to both parties.”

The EU-Mexico trade deal strengthens AB’'s diversification strategy by updating the 20-year agreement, which has already removed tariff barriers on bilateral trade.

Under the new agreement, the EU will access new markets for products such as agri-food (pork, dairy, cereals, fruit and pasta), medicine and machinery.

EU tightens trade ties with Latin American ’

Mexico is AB’'s second largest trading partner in Latin America, and the EU, Mexico is ’'s second largest export market. Trade between the two sides reached 86.8 billion euros in ’te goods by 2025, and 29.7 billion euros in ’te by 2024.

The figures are much smaller than the trade in goods and services with ’'s neighbor, the United States, which exceeds $900 billion at 2024’. But the deal came at a time when the Mexican ’ was facing increasing pressure from a more protectionist White House.

The EU is grappling with repeated tariff threats from Trump’ despite a trade deal finalized in 2025’.

Maroš Šefčovič, a trade commissioner for AB’, who is also based in Mexico City’, told “At a time of increasing global uncertainty, the EU and Mexico are choosing openness, partnership and ambition.” said. Mexico’ya pointed out that more than 43,000 European ​​ companies export, and more than 11,000 EU companies operate in the country.

The agreement will open new markets for Mexican products in agriculture, such as coffee, fruit, chocolate and agave syrup.

In addition to the opening of public procurement markets, a total of 568 European and 26 Mexican geographical signs will also be preserved, according to the Commission.

With this new agreement, the EU also wants to signal the strengthening of its presence in Latin America ’, where China’ is expanding its sphere of influence.

A senior EU official, “Latin America and the Caribbean, said that 97 percent of ’'s GDP will be covered by complex preferential agreements with the European Union, adding: “There is no other region in the world that has such a dense and connected network of deals.”

The EU has already established new trade ties with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay through the Mercosur trade agreement, which entered into force temporarily on 1 May’ and liberalized the flow of trade between the EU and these countries.

However, the signing of the agreement was met with strong opposition from AB’ farmers, who feared unfair competition from Latin American imports, and the approval was suspended after members of the European Parliament objected to the agreement before the EU Court of Justice.

Brussels argues that the Mexico deal should avoid the reaction Mercosur’ faces because sensitive agricultural imports are limited through customs quotas.

The U.S. and Azerbaijan started to implement important projects after the Trump peace agreement

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

As Washington seeks to transform its new strategic partnership with Azerbaijan’ into concrete infrastructure projects, a US ’ technical delegation in Baku’ has concluded talks on Trump’'s International Peace and Prosperity Route (TRIPP) corridor.

The U.S. Agency for Trade and Development (USTDA) wrapped up the visit on Wednesday and announced that its goal is to advance ’'s shared strategic infrastructure priorities between the two countries, which are part of the U.S.-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership Charter, signed during Vice-President J.D. Vance’'s visit to Baku’ in February.

Sara Leming, USTDA’'s country manager for Europe and Eurasia’, told euronews’e that the strategic geographical location of “Azerbaijan’ makes it an indispensable hub on the Trans-Caspian Transit Route connecting Central Asia’ to West’.” said.

The “ Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity will make this corridor even more important. Regional connectivity is a key area for cooperation under our Strategic Partnership Charter and is something USTDA’ explores during these missions.”

Washington’'s infrastructure move

TRIPP is a 42-kilometer railway and road corridor that passes through the territory of Armenia, mediated by US President Donald Trump’, as part of the peace declaration signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan in August 2025’te White House’.

China and Central Asia, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, form the South Caucasus link in the wider Central Corridor connecting ’ to Europe’ via Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

USTDA said it is researching projects with Azerbaijani colleagues on liquefied natural gas, civil nuclear energy, electricity transmission, artificial intelligence infrastructure, cyber security and digital connectivity; “Azerbaijan stated that ’ supports long-term energy security while ” develops its economic and strategic interests.

Leming said the agency aims to move early-stage infrastructure concepts forward through feasibility studies, technical assistance and pilot programs designed to attract private capital.

“AzerbaijanWe see real opportunities in ’, ” said.

Speaking to Euronews’e, Leming said that since “ Vice President Vance and President Aliyev signed the Charter ’ in February, the US government has been working with our Azerbaijani partners to fully implement this historic agreement to the benefit of both our countries through concrete projects and programs such as those offered by USTDA. ” said.

Both Azerbaijan and Armenia are working on reshaping the East-West energy and logistics flows of Washington’ and developing the transit route that Europe’ sees as central to reducing its dependence on traditional supply routes.

Energy security role

Azerbaijan’'s position in the heart of the newly emerging TRIPP corridor is no coincidence; The country has spent two decades building its pipeline infrastructure, which now makes it one of Europe’'s most strategically important energy partners.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) connect Caspian ’'s energy sources directly to Turkey and Europe ’ by bypassing both the Russian ’ and the Strait of Hormuz ’.

BTC, which connects Caspian, Black Sea and Mediterranean ’, has a capacity of about 1.2 million barrels per day and strengthened its role as a regional diversification tool by transporting crude oil from Azerbaijan’ as well as Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan’.

According to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, the country has proven reserves of about 7 billion barrels of oil and 2.6 trillion cubic meters of natural gas.

In 2025, it produced more than 27 million tons of crude oil and 51.5 billion cubic meters of gas, more than triple 2007 gas production. Azerbaijan currently exports oil to about 30 countries and gas to 16 countries, including 10’u EU member states.

Southern Gas Corridor and Europe

AB’'s gas import dependency is now %With its exceeding 85’i, the SGC became the main pillar of European supply security and opened the bloc's fourth gas supply corridor, with Azerbaijani gas reaching Europe’ for the first time through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) in 2020’.

2025’te delivered approximately 13 billion cubic meters of gas to European markets; this is approx. compared to 2021’e more.

According to Azerbaijani figures, 267 billion cubic meters of gas and more than 52 million tons of condensate have been produced so far in the Shah Deniz field, which is the main source of supply for the corridor.

Following the strategic partnership agreement signed by the EU and Azerbaijan, 2022’de Bucharest’te Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary, Europe is also developing three green energy corridors to bring renewable electricity to ’.

Corridors covering the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe route, the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Europe route and the Central Asia-Azerbaijan-Europe connection are designed to enable large-scale electricity trade from renewable sources.

AB’'s parallel move

On Wednesday, as the USTDA delegation completed its visit to Baku, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was in Luxembourg’, where she told foreign ministers that Azerbaijan’ remains an important partner in “energy and connectivity issues.

At a press conference ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, “ said that we want to deepen our ties and will continue negotiations on a new bilateral cooperation agreement soon.

Ministers emphasized that the European ’ has a strategic interest in a stable and secure South Caucasus ’, while Kallas said that the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process is “ extremely important for the EU.

He completed his words as follows: “ Progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process is a real opportunity for the region and significantly increases EU support.”