Kazakh Minister Meets French Senate Delegation Head to Discuss Trade and Critical Minerals

Kazakhstan's Minister of Industry and Construction, Yersain Nagaspayev, held talks with Valérie Boyer, the head of the French Senate's delegation for Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces.

During the meeting, Minister Nagaspayev highlighted that Kazakhstan accounts for approximately 80% of France's trade and investment flows in Central Asia. In 2025, the volume of bilateral trade reached $4.8 billion.

"Today, more than 260 French companies are operating effectively in our country, including 70 joint ventures," said Nagaspayev. "We welcome the expansion of their presence and particularly note the fruitful partnership with giants such as TotalEnergies, Alstom, Air Liquide, Airbus, Orano, Danone, Vicat, Lactalis, Renault Group, Suez, and Veolia."

The minister also announced that the first meeting of a working group within the Roundtable on Critical Minerals and Metals is scheduled for May 5th of this year. This format was launched following the results of the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Paris in December 2025.

Minister Yersain Nagaspayev and France's Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier serve as co-chairs of this Intergovernmental Commission.

In conclusion, both sides confirmed their readiness for mutually beneficial partnership and long-term cooperation within international projects.