BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Kazakhstan is a
strategic partner of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD), the OECD Directorate for Communications told
Trend.


"Kazakhstan is a strategic OECD partner and an important
platform for engagement across Central Asia. As cooperation
continues to deepen, there is significant potential to expand joint
work in areas such as competitiveness, connectivity, critical raw
materials, green growth, sustainable infrastructure and
public-sector reform. We see considerable scope to build on the
strong foundations already established and support Kazakhstan’s
ambition to become a more diversified, sustainable and
internationally connected economy," the OECD said.


The organisation noted that Kazakhstan has become one of the
OECD's closest and most active partners in Central Asia over the
past 18 years. Since the launch of the OECD Eurasia Competitiveness
Programme, OECD recommendations and standards have supported
reforms in areas including public governance, investment,
competition, taxation, anti-corruption and environmental policy.
"The partnership has evolved from policy dialogue towards
increasingly operational cooperation focused on supporting
Kazakhstan’s long-term competitiveness, sustainability and regional
integration," the organisation said.


According to the OECD, current priorities of cooperation with
Kazakhstan include improving the investment climate, strengthening
public governance, advancing the green transition, supporting
sustainable infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity. The
organisation is also working closely with Kazakhstan on critical
raw materials, recognising the country's growing importance in
global supply chains for the energy transition, as well as on
digitalisation and public-sector modernisation.


The OECD added that discussions are underway on a new Action
Plan for 2027–2030. The next phase of cooperation is expected to
focus on strengthening competitiveness, attracting high-quality
investment, accelerating the green transition and supporting
economic diversification.


"Regional connectivity, critical raw materials, digital
transformation, artificial intelligence, public governance and
sustainable infrastructure are all areas where closer cooperation
could help Kazakhstan achieve its long-term development
objectives," the organisation said.


Assessing Kazakhstan's investment climate, the OECD said the
country has made important progress in recent years through reforms
aimed at improving governance, modernising regulation,
strengthening state-owned enterprise governance and advancing
digitalisation. "These efforts have contributed to a more
attractive business environment. Continued reforms to strengthen
competition, improve regulatory predictability and reinforce
integrity and transparency frameworks would help further boost
investor confidence," the OECD noted.







The organisation believes that further improvements in
regulatory quality and policy predictability, stronger competition,
enhanced governance and transparency, as well as continued
investment in skills and infrastructure, would help Kazakhstan
increase its competitiveness and attract more foreign investment.
In strategic sectors such as critical raw materials, transport and
clean energy, reducing investment risks and mobilising greater
private-sector participation will be essential to unlock growth
opportunities.


The OECD also identified critical raw materials, renewable
energy, sustainable infrastructure, logistics and transport
services as the sectors with the greatest growth potential in
Kazakhstan. "As global demand grows for minerals needed for the
energy transition, Kazakhstan has an opportunity to move beyond
extraction and strengthen higher-value-added activities across
supply chains. The country also has strong potential to develop as
a regional logistics and connectivity hub linking Europe and Asia,"
the organisation said.


The OECD added that its cooperation with Kazakhstan helps
strengthen policy frameworks, improve planning and investment
decisions, and attract finance for sustainable infrastructure and
clean technologies.


"Our work supports the development of more resilient,
low-emission and resource-efficient growth models, while helping
ensure that climate objectives are aligned with economic
competitiveness and long-term development goals," the organisation
said.


Speaking about transport connectivity, the OECD stressed that
Kazakhstan is at the heart of Eurasian connectivity, while the
development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or
Middle Corridor, presents a major opportunity to strengthen trade
links between Europe and Asia.


"By improving infrastructure, streamlining border procedures and
deepening regional cooperation, Kazakhstan can help create more
efficient, resilient and sustainable trade routes while reinforcing
its position as a key logistics hub in Eurasia," the OECD
concluded.