ASTANA: The inaugural C5+Japan Business Forum, held in the Kazakh capital of Astana, concluded with significant outcomes as over 450 representatives from five Central Asian states and more than 100 leading Japanese companies convened to explore and expand economic collaboration.
Several key agreements were signed during the business forum to deepen bilateral ties and advance joint projects across various sectors.
The forum was attended by notable figures including Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Chairman of Marubeni Corporation Fumiya Kokubu, President of the Japan Association for Trade with Russia and Newly Independent States (ROTOBO) Masami Iijima, and top executives from major Japanese corporations such as Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries EMEA, Ltd., and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
In his opening remarks, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Bektenov highlighted the immense potential for collaboration between Central Asia and Japan. He emphasized Japan’s status as a global leader in technology and innovation, and expressed optimism about the opportunities for growth and development that lie in partnerships with Central Asia.
“Japan is rightfully considered one of the world’s economic and technological leaders,” Bektenov said. “Central Asia, for its part, is a rapidly developing region with huge growth potential and all the conditions for comprehensive cooperation.”
The forum focused on several critical areas for enhanced collaboration, including digitalization, transport and logistics, the agro-industrial complex, and heavy industry. Discussions covered potential joint projects in advanced technology transfer, high-value product manufacture, and the creation of innovation clusters, technology parks, and incubators.
The Central Asian region is currently evolving a unique IT environment that promises modernization in public administration, fintech, and e-commerce. Bektenov highlighted opportunities for collaboration in artificial intelligence, data centers, and cybersecurity. He also expressed interest in Japanese agricultural technologies that incorporate AI, robotics, and other advanced scientific achievements.
Trade relations between Kazakhstan and Japan have been robust, with a trade turnover of $2.1 billion reported last year. This includes $600 million in exports and $1.5 billion in imports. Japan ranks among Kazakhstan’s top ten foreign direct investors, with an investment volume exceeding $7.9 billion since 1993.
The forum also underscored the potential for expanding partnerships in the development of rare earth metal deposits and the transport and logistics sector. Kazakhstan’s strategic location offers significant transit potential, connecting North, South, East, and West, which opens up valuable opportunities for Japanese exports and imports.
