Kazakhstan signs $19bn in deals with South Korea, eyes BRICS+ AI partnership

September 25, 2026 at 09:30 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan signed about 80 commercial agreements worth $19 billion during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's state visit to South Korea in mid-September. The deals span industry, infrastructure and technology, including a joint investment fund with initial capital of $200 million. The visit followed Tokayev's proposal at the BRICS+ summit in New Delhi for a partnership on artificial intelligence.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan's trade with BRICS members and partners reached about $72 billion in 2025, President Tokayev said at the BRICS+ summit in New Delhi.
South Korea's trade with Central Asian countries exceeded $10 billion in 2025, with about half of that with Kazakhstan.
South Korea ranks ninth among investors in Kazakhstan's economy, with accumulated investments exceeding $12 billion and more than 1,000 Korean-capital enterprises operating in the country.
Qazaqstan Investment Corporation and Korea's KIND agreed to create a joint investment fund with an initial volume of $200 million, potentially increasing to $1 billion.
Kazakhstan's delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is led by Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi.

BRICS+ Economic Diplomacy

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at the BRICS+ summit in New Delhi that Kazakhstan's trade with BRICS members and partners reached about $72 billion in 2025. Kazakhstan proposed cooperation in energy, critical minerals, agriculture and deep processing, and promoted a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and India. Tokayev also proposed creating a BRICS+ partnership on artificial intelligence.

South Korea Investment Deals

During Tokayev's state visit to South Korea, about 80 commercial agreements worth approximately $19 billion were signed. The Ministry of Industry and Construction alone concluded 15 documents worth $401.9 million. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation and Korea's KIND agreed to create a joint investment fund with an initial volume of $200 million, potentially increasing to $1 billion. The fund will target infrastructure, logistics, energy and urban projects, including Alatau City.

UN General Assembly Participation

Kazakhstan's delegation to the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York is led by Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi. The program includes his speech at the General Assembly general debate, a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and a series of bilateral negotiations.