Prime Minister Babiš held talks in Kazakhstan on oil supplies and strengthening economic ties
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš continues his tour of Central Asian countries. He visited Kazakhstan on Tuesday 28 April and Wednesday 29 April 2026. In the capital, Astana, he held talks with the President of the Republic, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, focusing primarily on economic issues, including oil and uranium supplies, and, together with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček, he also visited the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence and the National Scientific Centre for Cardiac Surgery, and officially opened the Czech-Kazakh Business Forum, attended by 200 businesspeople from both countries.
The main topic of the talks with the President of Kazakhstan was the further development of mutual economic relations between the two countries, with an emphasis on supplies of strategic raw materials. Kazakhstan is a leading nation in Central Asia; it possesses vast natural resources, including oil, natural gas and uranium ore, offering many opportunities for Czech companies as well. “Kazakhstan is an important strategic partner for us in the energy and minerals sectors.” We discussed the possibility of landing a long-term contract for oil supplies, as well as the potential for further involvement of our companies and a general strengthening of our business ties. The Czech Republic and Czech companies have an excellent reputation here, and the potential for further export opportunities is enormous. It was also a great honour for me to receive one of Kazakhstan’s highest state honours, the Order of Friendship, from President Tokayev; I greatly appreciate it,” said Babiš.
The meeting with Kazakhstan’s head of state also provided an opportunity to support Czech companies. “I personally presented President Tokayev with Aero Vodochody’s offer for twelve of the most modern Czech L-39 MG aircraft.” OMNIPOL is also showcasing its products here, such as the L-410 NG aircraft,” said Prime Minister Babiš. There are currently almost 200 Czech owned companies operating in Kazakhstan, with trade between the two countries growing rapidly. Last year, it amounted to CZK 35bln.
Prime Minister Babiš voiced his support for Czech exporters at the Czech-Kazakh trade forum, which was attended by 200 businesspeople from both countries. “This is a clear sign that cooperation between the Czech Republic and Kazakhstan is substantive and holds great potential for the future,”stated Prime Minister Babiš. Our companies have signed a number of documents with their Kazakh counterparts, including a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a joint venture between Teplosnab-NS and ZVVZ Engineering, a. s., a Memorandum of Understanding between OMNIPOL GROUP and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Export-Credit Agency of Kazakhstan and EGAP.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, accompanied by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček, also visited the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence and the National Scientific Centre for Cardiac Surgery in the capital Astana. Prime Minister Babiš will visit Uzbekistan on Thursday.
