Ahram Online: How do you view the relations between Egypt and Kazakhstan, particularly in political and diplomatic terms?
Askar Zhengis: Egypt was one of the first Arab countries to recognise Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and promptly opened its embassy in our capital. In fact, our first embassy in the Arab world was established in Cairo. Egypt was also the first Arab country visited by Kazakhstan’s First President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in February 1993.
The official visit of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Kazakhstan in February 2016 marked a new chapter in bilateral relations, ushering in mutually beneficial cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral spheres.
In recent years, inter-parliamentary cooperation has been particularly active, with reciprocal visits by the Speakers of the Parliaments of both countries to Cairo and Astana. The foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Egypt have also maintained close interaction, holding nine rounds of political consultations since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The most recent round took place on 19 February 2025 in Astana.
Our countries also cooperate effectively within regional and international organisations. A constructive political dialogue has been established, and numerous bilateral treaties and agreements have been signed.
AO: What are the current priorities on your diplomatic agenda?
Zhengis: Organising mutual visits at the highest level remains a top priority.
During the latest round of political consultations between our foreign ministries, we discussed concrete steps to intensify cooperation. We plan to convene another meeting of the Kazakh–Egyptian Intergovernmental Commission to explore avenues for cooperation in trade, the economy, culture, and humanitarian affairs.
For Kazakhstan, Egypt is a key regional player and holds significant potential as an economic and investment partner in North Africa. Since assuming my post, I have focused on engaging with major Egyptian business groups to expand economic cooperation across diverse sectors, including with companies already operating in Kazakhstan.
AO: Economic and trade cooperation is a significant pillar between Egypt and Kazakhstan, especially given Kazakhstan’s potential in wheat and natural gas. How can economic cooperation develop further?
Zhengis: Bilateral trade between our two countries is growing rapidly. In 2024, trade turnover reached approximately $274.4 million, with exports accounting for $137.2 million and imports for $136.7 million. This represents an almost 70 percent increase compared to 2023.
Between 2006 and 2010, Kazakhstan supplied Egypt with up to one million tons of grain annually. We are now working to sustain this positive momentum in mutual trade. The 6th meeting of the Kazakhstan–Egypt Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation will be held in Astana soon.
Discussions are also underway to sign agreements covering trade and industry, renewable energy, tourism, labour mobility, healthcare, culture, sports, and youth affairs. In addition, we aim to establish joint ventures in Egypt and Kazakhstan to produce high-value goods, including factories and medium-sized industrial enterprises.
We also plan to sign a bilateral convention on the elimination of double taxation, which will give a significant boost to trade and investment.
AO: What about Kazakh investments in Egypt?
Zhengis: Egypt has made remarkable progress in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), securing a record $46.1 billion in 2023–2024.
Kazakhstan has established the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), operating under English law with special tax and labour regimes. As of 2024, more than 3,400 companies from 85 countries were registered with the AIFC.
We are exploring potential cooperation with Egyptian businesses in various sectors, including projects to build a pharmaceutical plant, a carpet-weaving plant, facilities for juice concentrate production, leather processing, and the manufacture of rapid cancer detection tests.
AO: The Astana International Forum addressed some of the most pressing global challenges. Can you highlight its primary outcomes?
Zhengis: In May 2025, Astana hosted the region’s leading international conference, the Astana International Forum, chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Under the slogan “Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future”, the forum brought together over 7,000 participants, including heads of state, government leaders, international organisations, business executives, and experts. It served as a platform not only to address current global challenges but also to forge new, sustainable partnerships.
AO: Al-Azhar plays a significant role in promoting tolerance and Islamic moderation. How do you view its contribution to Kazakh–Egyptian relations?
Zhengis: Al-Azhar has been a beacon of Islamic scholarship for over nine centuries. Kazakhstan values its efforts to promote the peaceful and tolerant essence of Islam worldwide.
We are grateful for Al-Azhar’s role in educating Kazakh students and training our imams through refresher courses. We also appreciate Egypt’s gift of the Egyptian University of Islamic Culture “Nur-Mubarak” in Almaty, which has become our main centre for training qualified religious scholars.
Plans are underway to strengthen academic links between Nur-Mubarak University and Al-Azhar University, including allowing senior students to complete their studies in Cairo.
AO: Cultural relations between the two countries have deep historical roots. What initiatives are underway to strengthen them?
Zhengis: Cultural and humanitarian ties are an integral part of our relationship. Our shared history includes significant figures such as Sultan Az-Zahir Baybars and the philosopher Abu Nasr Al-Farabi.
A notable example of our cooperation is the restoration of the Sultan Al-Zahir Baybars Mosque in Cairo, completed in June 2023 to mark the 800th anniversary of the sultan’s birth. Kazakhstan provided both financial and technical support for the project.
On 10 August this year, we celebrated the Day of Abai Kunanbayev, marking the 180th anniversary of the birth of our most revered poet and philosopher. Events in Astana included musical performances, public readings, exhibitions, and lectures promoting his legacy.
AO: Kazakhstan is interested in Egypt as a major tourist destination. What progress has been made in tourism cooperation?
Zhengis: Tourism is a key area of cooperation. Egypt remains one of the most popular destinations for Kazakh travellers, especially Sharm El-Sheikh. In May last year, we agreed to increase the number of permitted flights between our countries from 14 to 48 per week, and more airlines have been designated to operate the routes.
Direct flights now connect Shymkent and Cairo twice a week, and we are exploring the possibility of linking our capitals via EgyptAir.
We also welcome Egyptian tourists to Kazakhstan, which offers unique opportunities in ecotourism, ethno-tourism, and business tourism.
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