EU-Kazakhstan trade and economic cooperation

Description

Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia and an important trade partner for the EU. In the context of growing prominence and international attention placed on Central Asia, Kazakhstan has the potential to become the key hub for investment and regional trade thus securing its sustainable economic growth and resilience. Achieving this target requires removal of trade barriers as well as sustained efforts to diversify the export basket to non-resource tradable products and services and to improve technical competences and quality-assuring services. The EPCA which guides the relations between EU and Kazakhstan has also a role to play in this endeavour. Once fully implemented, the EPCA with its ambitious Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter, will facilitate foreign investment and diversification while ensuring sustainable economic growth benefiting the Kazakh society as a whole. Against this backdrop, this service contract will aim to support the EU-Kazakhstan trade and economic cooperation by supporting the implementation of the EPCA, enhancing the business and investment climate, improving access to quality infrastructure and promoting SME-oriented and non-resource oriented export strategy.