Namur, 18 September 2026 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko held a meeting with Minister-President of Wallonia, Minister of Finance, International Relations and Animal Welfare Adrien Dolimont.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Wallonia, with particular focus on industry, energy, transport and logistics, critical raw materials, innovation, digitalisation, as well as scientific and educational cooperation. It was noted that Wallonia’s advanced industrial, scientific and technological base complements Kazakhstan’s opportunities in industrial modernisation and investment attraction.

RomanVassilenko briefed his counterpart on the new stage of Kazakhstan’s political modernisation, the results of the elections to the unicameral Quryltai held on 23 August 2026 and the formation of the new Government. The parties also discussed preparations for the first State Visit of King Philippe to Kazakhstan in autumn 2026 and A.Dolimont’s participation in the official Belgian delegation.

Particular attention was paid to industrial cooperation. As a practical example, the parties highlighted cooperation between Belgian company John Cockerill and Qarmet on the construction of a new hot-dip galvanising and polymer-coating complex. They noted the potential for expanding cooperation in metallurgy, industrial engineering, automation, decarbonisation, renewable energy and hydrogen technologies.

In the transport and logistics sector, the parties considered opportunities to connect Wallonia’s infrastructure with the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor). They highlighted the launch by ASL Airlines Belgium on 16 June 2026 of a direct cargo service between Liège and Karaganda airports, operating five flights per week, which creates additional opportunities for developing freight connectivity between Kazakhstan, Asia and Europe.

The parties separately discussed prospects for cooperation in aerospace, artificial intelligence, digitalisation and Smart City technologies. The Kazakh side expressed interest in establishing direct links with Walloon technology companies, universities and research centres, including through joint research, specialist training and technology commercialisation.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their interest in advancing Kazakhstan–Wallonia cooperation through concrete investment and technology projects, direct contacts between companies, universities and regional institutions, as well as reciprocal visits and joint business events.

Reference: Wallonia is one of Belgium’s three regions and comprises five provinces – Liège, Hainaut, Namur, Walloon Brabant and Luxembourg. The region’s GDP in 2024 amounted to approximately EUR 144 billion (23% of Belgium’s GDP). Key sectors include pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, metallurgy and mechanical engineering, chemicals and aerospace, energy, logistics, agri-food and digital technologies. R&D expenditure amounts to approximately 3.2% of GDP.

In 2024, Wallonia’s exports of goods amounted to approximately EUR 61.9 billion, with around 80% destined for European markets. Major exports include pharmaceuticals, food products, metals and metal products, chemicals, machinery and equipment. Major companies operating in the region include John Cockerill, FN Browning Group, GSK, UCB, Safran Aero Boosters, Sonaca and IBA.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-brussels/press/news/details/1294791?lang=ru