Kuala lumpur: Bilateral trade revenue for Kazakhstan and Malaysia is expected to increase significantly to US$1 billion annually in the next three to four years. Kazakhstan Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliev announced the optimistic projection, highlighting the growing economic ties between the two nations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shakkaliev stated that in the first half of 2025, the bilateral trade turnover witnessed a notable increase of almost 46 percent, reaching US$98.9 million compared to the same period of the previous year. Kazakhstan's exports to Malaysia more than tripled, amounting to US$2.8 million, while imports exceeded US$96.1 million.
'These figures clearly demonstrate the mutual interest of our business communities and the potential for further cooperation,' Shakkaliev remarked during the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025. Kazakhstan traditionally exports ores and metals, coal, and products from its agro-industrial complex to Malaysia, whereas Malaysia's primary exports to Kazakhstan include palm oil, coffee and tea extracts, household appliances, and electronics.
Shakkaliev emphasized the opportunities for diversification and deepening of cooperation between the two countries. He noted, 'Kazakhstan today has every opportunity to significantly expand the supply of non-resource goods to Malaysia,' identifying promising areas such as metallurgy, the food industry, mechanical engineering, and the chemical sector. The total export potential of Kazakhstani products to Malaysia is estimated at over US$30 million.
Highlighting Malaysia's strategic importance, Shakkaliev described it as a key partner in Southeast Asia and a gateway to ASEAN countries. He announced that a trade and economic mission from Kazakhstan to Malaysia is being conducted for the first time, with a delegation of 20 Kazakh companies showcasing a diverse range of products.
These companies are presenting goods such as meat and meat products, natural honey, flour and pasta, vegetable oils, and powdered camel milk, among others. This reflects Kazakhstan's aspiration to expand its non-resource exports and offer value-added goods that meet the demand for high-quality and environmentally friendly products.
Kazakhstan's participation in MIHAS 2025 with a national pavilion provides opportunities to showcase competitive products and establish partnerships with Malaysian importers, distributors, and retail chains, Shakkaliev added.
Meanwhile, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican highlighted the importance of bilateral ties, noting the encouraging trade performance achieved last year. In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with Kazakhstan reached US$142.0 million, an increase of 35.7 percent, with exports increasing by 13.4 percent to US$116.2 million and imports from Kazakhstan showing a significant leap of over 1,000 percent to US$25.8 million.
Reezal Merican underscored Kazakhstan's pivotal role as Malaysia's top trading partner, export destination, and import source in Central Asia. He noted the strong participation of Kazakh companies in MIHAS 2025 and the International Sourcing Programme (INSP), reflecting their determination to explore new business opportunities.
The event also featured the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MATRADE and QazTrade, Kazakhstan's national development institute for promoting non-resource exports. This agreement aims to deepen trade facilitation, share market intelligence, and enhance collaboration between business communities.