Blankenberge, 7 August 2026 – As part of a working visit to the Province of West Flanders, Kazakhstan Ambassador Belgium Roman Vassilenko held meetings with Mayor of Blankenberge Björn Prasse, as well as Patrick Maselis, owner and CEO of the Belgian Maselis Group, and the management of Borlix NV.

During the meeting with the Mayor of Blankenberge, the parties discussed the current state and prospects of Kazakhstan–Belgium cooperation, with particular attention to regional ties, tourism, sustainable urban development, cultural exchanges and direct contacts between municipalities of the two countries.

The Ambassador briefed the Belgian side on Kazakhstan’s ongoing political and constitutional reforms, the entry into force of the new Constitution, and preparations for elections to the new unicameral Parliament – the Kurultai. Particular attention was also given to the dynamic development of Kazakhstan’s tourism sector and opportunities for cooperation in this area.

The parties discussed prospects for establishing partnerships between Blankenberge and Kazakhstan’s tourism regions, including cooperation in resort management, environmental projects, marina infrastructure, cultural exchanges and sustainable urban mobility.

On the same day, talks were held with the management of Maselis Group and Borlix NV, leading Belgian producers of grain-based ingredients and value-added agricultural products.

The parties discussed the development of Kazakhstan-Belgium trade and economic cooperation, noting the steady growth of bilateral trade. In 2025, Kazakhstan’s exports to Belgium increased by 48% to USD 311.5 million, with flaxseed becoming the leading export commodity. Belgium is Kazakhstan’s largest European market for flaxseed, while Kazakhstan is currently the leading supplier of flaxseed to the European Union.

Ambassador Vassilenko also presented the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) as one of the fastest-growing transport routes across Eurasia. He highlighted opportunities to use the infrastructure of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to further expand exports of Kazakh agricultural products to the European Union.

The Belgian side expressed particular interest in cooperation in deep grain processing, localisation of modern processing technologies, production of food and feed ingredients, and implementation of joint investment projects in Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector. In this context, Maselis Group and Borlix NV are considered promising partners in the preparations for the first-ever State Visit of His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians to Kazakhstan, scheduled for autumn 2026.

During the visit, Ambassador Vassilenko also familiarised himself with the operations of the Zeebrugge port complex, part of the integrated Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The port was noted as one of Europe’s largest and most advanced deep-sea ports, with extensive multimodal infrastructure and an important role in international logistics. Particular attention was given to its potential for expanding exports of Kazakh agricultural products to the EU market through Trans-Caspian International Transport Route  and developing freight transportation along the Middle Corridor.

Following the visit, the parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in expanding practical cooperation in agribusiness, logistics, tourism and sustainable regional development, as well as strengthening direct contacts between the business and regional communities of Kazakhstan and West Flanders.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-brussels/press/news/details/1271035?lang=ru