The visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan led by President Stubb sent an important signal: “Finland is interested in Central Asia.”

The visit of Finnish companies to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in October 2025, led by the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, was very productive. Numerous memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements were signed, and feedback from companies has been positive. EastCham was responsible for organizing and coordinating the business program in both countries.

Above all, the high-level visit sent a strong message from Finland to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, says Altyn Shakirkhanova, Head of EastCham’s Almaty office.

– For the local counterparts it was a signal that Finland sees the Central Asian region interesting for Finnish business, says Shakirkhanova after the trip.

Altyn Shakirkhanova, EastCham.

The business program included forums and meetings with key ministries in both Astana and Tashkent. Over a hundred companies participated in each city.

According to Shakirkhanova, it is difficult to build business in the region without investing in personal relationships and learning the region. Visits like this and even symbolic memoranda are important now that international competition in Central Asia is intensifying.

– All the memoranda received a great deal of attention, and I see them as excellent local marketing tools, even if not all are legally binding, says EastCham’s Director of Services, Tarja Teittinen.

Tarja Teittinen, EastCham.

Groundwork for future trade

Forest technology producer Kesla has been preparing to launch export sales to Kazakhstan for about three years, resulting in a distributor agreement with local company KMB Trans Group LLP in early 2025. The first deals have already been made and products delivered, CEO Pasi Nieminen tells EastCham.

For Kesla, the trip in October was the first of its kind. The local distributor participated in the official program to build networks as well. Nieminen praises the professional and smooth arrangements of the visit.

– Overall, the visit was a very positive experience and confirmed Kesla’s expectations regarding the Kazakh market in terms of timber harvesting logistics. Kazakhstan is still an emerging market in terms of timber use and harvesting logistics, but it’s important to be involved right from the beginning, Nieminen says to EastCham.

According to Nieminen, one of the highlights was the meeting with the Ministry of Ecology and natural resources, as the state owns the forests in Kazakhstan and is responsible for developing the forestry sector, including subsidizing equipment purchases.

Pasi Nieminen, Kesla.

Honkarakenne, a Finnish log house manufacturer, announced about new cooperation in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to support the development of tourism infrastructure. Tourism development is experiencing strong growth in both countries, says Sales Director Maria Turenkova.

– Natural attractions, mountains, national parks, and cultural heritage sites are driving investment — and that’s why tourism construction needs solutions that are sustainable, high-quality, and distinctive, Turenkova explains.

Honkarakenne is already fairly well-known in Kazakhstan, while log construction is still a relatively new concept in Uzbekistan. Interest is growing rapidly, and outdated perceptions are being corrected — log construction is fire-safe, energy-efficient, ecological, and earthquake-resistant.

– There is demand for Honka’s solutions and a promising future in the Central Asian market, Turenkova says.

Maria Turenkova and Marko Saarelainen from Honkarakenne with Uzbek partner SAIPRO Group.

Another Finnish company, Lojer, a medical furniture manufacturer, has customers in Kazakhstan in both the private and public sectors. In 2024, Lojer strengthened its cooperation with local partners by establishing a subsidiary in Kazakhstan.

According to CEO Roberto Quintero, the visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan was a great opportunity to represent Finland as a team.

– We are interested in exploring ways to collaborate with local governments to increase our presence. Both countries’ governments are very keen to boost local production, where we see potential. We are now focusing on moving forward with certain evaluations step by step, Quintero says after the trip.

Roberto Quintero, Lojer.

Next steps

EastCham extends its gratitude to the Office of the President, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), and Business Finland for excellent Team Finland cooperation. Special thanks also go to Kazakhstan’s and Uzbekistan’s ambassadors to Finland, Azamat Abdraimov and Timur Rahmonov, for their key role in inviting local companies to the business forums.

– Now we need active follow-up and concrete next steps to fully capitalize on this momentum, and I see EastCham playing an important role in supporting Finnish companies in this. In fact, the first follow-up actions have already been agreed, says EastCham CEO Jaana Rekolainen.

During the visit, EastCham and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Business Council. The purpose of the Business Council is to promote direct connections between Finnish and Uzbek companies, organize visits and business events, and share market information in both directions.

Jaana Rekolainen, EastCham, signing the MoU.