During the international symposium “Understanding Central Asia: Pathways and Measures for China-Central Asia Cooperation in the Context of Digitalization,” held in China on October 16-18, 2026, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Economic Research Institute (ERI) and Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics.
Organized by Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, the symposium brought together experts and representatives of the academic community to discuss prospects for economic cooperation between China and Central Asian countries amid ongoing digital transformation.
As part of the symposium, Birzhan Batkeyev, Chairman of the Management Board of ERI, delivered a presentation titled “Kazakhstan and China: Trade Dynamics and Opportunities for Digital Cooperation,” sharing expert insights into current economic development issues and prospects for regional cooperation.
In his presentation, Birzhan Batkeyev highlighted the dynamics of trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and China. In 2025, bilateral trade turnover reached USD 34.1 billion, an increase of 13.2% compared to the previous year. Particular attention was paid to opportunities for expanding cooperation in agricultural processing, mechanical engineering, polymer product manufacturing, and digital logistics. He also emphasized the importance of adopting modern technologies, developing industrial capabilities, and strengthening business ties between enterprises in the two countries.
During the symposium, participants discussed new opportunities for trade and economic cooperation, the impact of digitalization on national economies, and promising areas of collaboration between China and Central Asian countries.
The signing of the Memorandum marks an important step in strengthening the partnership between ERI and Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, opening up new opportunities for joint research, the exchange of scientific expertise, and closer cooperation between the expert communities of Kazakhstan and China.
