The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Sunghwan) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minister Cho Hyun) will dispatch a ‘Korea-Kazakhstan Water Industry Cooperation Delegation*’ to Kazakhstan from September 1 to 5 to support the entry of domestic water industry companies into Central Asia and to strengthen cooperation in the water sector.

* Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, K-water, Korea Environment Corporation (National Water Industry Cluster), Korea Water Partnership, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, 13 domestic water companies

Kazakhstan, as a downstream country of transboundary rivers in Central Asia, relies heavily on external sources for water, with about 45% of its water resources flowing in from neighboring countries, which drives strong interest in sustainable water management technologies. In addition, in response to aging water supply and sewage facilities, the country is actively expanding investment in water management infrastructure and introducing digital and smart water technologies, making it a nation considered to have high potential for cooperation in the water industry. 

In addition, Kazakhstan has shown strong interest in Korea’s advanced water industry technologies and a willingness to cooperate. Since 2019, the two sides have continuously engaged in cooperation* through the dispatch of water industry cooperation delegations and holding consultations. In 2021, during the Kazakh president’s visit to Korea, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on water resources cooperation.  

* 2019: First dispatch of water industry cooperation delegation; 2020-2022: Consultations and online business meetings; 2023-present: Consecutive delegation dispatches

On September 3, the delegation will hold the Korea-Kazakhstan Water Industry Cooperation Seminar, institutional meetings, and a business consultation session for water companies. These events will share the current status and key technologies of the water industry in both countries, introduce support systems for overseas expansion of water companies, and facilitate one-on-one consultations between companies by sector. 

At the cooperation seminar, the governments and related institutions of both countries will share key water management policies and cooperative projects, while domestic water companies will present their advanced technologies. This will be followed by meetings with major Kazakh government ministries and related organizations to discuss upcoming projects and explore potential areas of cooperation. 

※(Participating institutions from Kazakhstan) Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Industry and Construction, Committee on Water Resources, Committee for the Regulation, Protection and Use of Water Resources, Center for Modernization and Development of Housing and Communal Services, Kazvodkhoz, Astana Waterworks, Almaty Waterworks, etc.

At the water industry business consultation session, Korean companies - selected based on prior market assessments and demand surveys conducted through KOTRA Almaty - will meet with Kazakh companies for one-on-one consultations in areas of mutual interest such as water treatment technologies and wastewater treatment systems. 

In addition, building on past cooperation, during the delegation’s visit, mutual cooperation MOUs will be signed with the waterworks authorities of Astana and Almaty to promote joint projects and technology demonstrations. Pilot projects will also be carried out for water treatment facilities and flow meters.

Kim Hyo-jung, Director General of Water Use Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, “As a result of our continued support for the entry of Korean water companies into Kazakhstan, we are now seeing tangible outcomes such as supply contracts and demonstration projects.” She added, “We will continue working to connect local demand with the excellent technologies and products of our companies.”

Han Min-young, Director-General for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Scientific Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “Kazakhstan is an important partner in Central Asia, and we expect that this delegation will substantially strengthen the foundation for Korean water companies to enter the Kazakh market.” She added, “We will work to create an environment that enables our companies to expand into overseas water markets and strive to spread outcomes of sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.”  

The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plan to continue working closely together to ensure that the outcomes of this delegation lead to tangible results, such as export contracts for Korea’s advanced water management technologies and high-quality products.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com