Kazakhstan and Germany unveil a $54 billion portfolio: which projects can move into production

A large figure is not the same as invested capital

During President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Berlin, the two sides reported a joint portfolio of 40 industrial projects worth about $54 billion. Bilateral trade reached $4.5 billion last year, up 13.4 percent, while cumulative German investment over 21 years was put at $8 billion.

A project portfolio should not be counted automatically as money already invested. It may contain proposals ranging from early discussions to construction. For Kazakhstan, operating capacity, jobs, taxes and the share of production performed locally will be the decisive outcomes.

From raw material to technology chain

The joint declaration highlights processing of critical raw materials, joint manufacturing and resilient supply chains. That creates an opportunity for Kazakhstan to export higher-value metals, components and industrial solutions rather than only ore or primary material.

Germany gains a more predictable source of inputs for engineering, energy and advanced industry. Kazakhstan benefits when machinery arrives with engineering knowledge, quality standards and workforce training.

Energy, transport and finance

The agenda also includes oil and gas, renewable energy, green hydrogen and transport routes linking Asia with Europe. Finance and risk insurance matter just as much: without them a large industrial project can remain a presentation.

Tokayev said the security of German investments would receive special attention. In business terms, that promise must become transparent rules, enforceable contracts, infrastructure access and predictable permitting deadlines.

What to watch next

A useful public measure would be a table for every project listing the investor, location, product, stage, launch date and jobs created. That would separate a diplomatic announcement from an economic result.

The visit strengthened the political framework and confirmed mutual interest. The next test is how many of the 40 projects secure finance, begin construction and produce their first goods in Kazakhstan.

Sources: Central Communications Service under the President of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan–Germany joint declaration.