Oslo, 8 April 2025 – The first Kazakhstan-Norwegian Business Council, organized with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Norway and the “East” Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was held in Oslo. The event became a pivotal step in reinforcing trade-economic relations and establishing direct ties between the business communities of the two nations.

Keynote addresses were delivered by:

• H.E. Adil Tursunov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Norway;
• Jon Kvistad, Norway’s Ambassador to Central Asia.

The speakers underscored the critical importance of deepening political and economic dialogue.

Kazakh delegation’s presentation:
R.T. Barakov, Research Fellow at the Scientific-Production Center for Fisheries LLP (subordinate to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture – Fisheries Committee), delivered a comprehensive report covering:

• Current status of aquaculture in Kazakhstan;
• Key provisions of the Fisheries Development Program 2030;
• State support mechanisms and scientific oversight for the sector;
• Expansion of investment projects in operational and planned fish farming/processing enterprises, with emphasis on creating a robust scientific-practical foundation for implementing cutting-edge innovative technologies.

Spotlight on Norwegian partnerships:
Dedicated sessions under the B2B format addressed the transfer, localization, and installation of Norwegian equipment for Kazakh aquaculture/processing facilities, featuring discussions with industry leaders Optimar and Morenot Aquaculture.

Strategic discussions:
The Council explored collaborative prospects in:

• Logistics
• Renewable energy
• Agricultural processing & export
• Eco-technologies
• Industrial safety
• Digital transformation

Since March 31, the ichthyology laboratory team of the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP (head of the expeditionary unit – S.Zh. Makambetov, acting head – Zh.M. Bakkhozha, researcher – R. Igilik, senior laboratory assistant – N.M. Zhazykbaev, laboratory assistant – N.K. Sakharin) has been conducting scientific research at the Lower and Middle Kolsai Lakes. These lakes are located within the specially protected natural area of the Kolsai Kolderi State National Nature Park, under Program 021 (Subprogram 100).

The objective of the study is to examine the reproduction of trout in the Kolsai Lakes. Currently, the expedition team is collecting ichthyological samples for biological analysis, including morphometric data (length and weight), sex identification, maturity stage, age, and fecundity.

The Lower and Middle Kolsai Lakes are situated in the Kegen District of the Almaty Region. Comprehensive scientific research at the Kolsai Lakes has been carried out by the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries since 2017.

On April 3, 2025, a working meeting on the 2024–2026 targeted financing programs is being held at the head office of Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP.

During the meeting, reports were presented by the heads of the targeted financing program tasks:

1. “Development and implementation of innovative technologies and new aquaculture facilities that are economically efficient in the natural and climatic conditions of various regions of Kazakhstan.”
2. “Comprehensive studies of water bodies for the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources based on an assessment of their potential and modeling of stock dynamics.”

Participants:

• Program heads:

• K.B. Isbekov (Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan)
• S.Zh. Asylbekova (Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan)

• Representatives of partner organizations:

• S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University (NAO)
• Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute LLP
• Scientific and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology LLP

• Scientific staff of Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP

Meeting outcomes:

•  Assessment of project implementation progress
• Determination of key directions for the next period
• Recommendations for improving the quality of research and development

To implement the instructions of the Head of State, announced on March 14 of this year at the fourth meeting of the National Kurultai, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS, Russia) and leading Russian research institutes, will officially open the Kazakh-Russian Center for Advanced Technologies in the Agro-Industrial Complex on April 2, 2025.  

The opening ceremony will be attended by Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, General Director K.B. Isbekov, and Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Deputy General Director of the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP S.Zh. Asylbekova.

The Center for Advanced Technologies will collaborate closely with leading Russian and Kazakhstani research institutes, serving as a platform for experience exchange, the development of innovative solutions, and the implementation of high-tech approaches in agriculture.

It is expected that the center will drive the creation of new agrotechnology start-ups, further strengthening the scientific and technological potential of both countries.

The establishment of the Kazakh-Russian Center for Advanced Technologies in the Agro-Industrial Complex will mark a significant milestone in advancing breeding and genomic selection, as well as in the development of innovative and environmentally sustainable agriculture. This will enable a more effective response to modern challenges and contribute to ensuring global food security.