Minister Sidhu speaks with Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration

September 17, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Yesterday, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, spoke with His Excellency Arman Shakkaliyev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, to discuss opportunities to strengthen the Canada-Kazakhstan economic partnership and advance shared commercial priorities. Kazakhstan has the largest economy in Central Asia.

Minister Sidhu congratulated Minister Shakkaliyev on his reappointment following last month’s parliamentary elections. Minister Sidhu also said that Canada looks forward to working with Kazakhstan’s new government to deepen mutually beneficial relations.  In 2025, merchandise trade between Canada and Kazakhstan was $727.9 million, an increase of 53.2% from 2024.

The ministers discussed opportunities to expand commercial cooperation in sectors such as mining, aerospace, agriculture, and information and communications technologies. Minister Sidhu also welcomed the growing number of business and government exchanges between Canada and Kazakhstan, which reflect an increasing interest in closer trade and investment ties.

Minister Sidhu and Minister Shakkaliyev agreed to remain in close contact and to continue exploring opportunities to support trade diversification, economic growth and prosperity in both countries.

Associated links

• Canada-Kazakhstan relations
• Doing business in Kazakhstan