Central Asia for Australian mining, agriculture and education companies

Central Asia rarely tops an Australian export plan, yet its largest economy needs exactly what Australia does well: mining know-how, modern farming and quality education. This guide looks at Kazakhstan, the region’s biggest market, through those three sectors. It covers where the demand is, how business works on the ground, and the compliance checks that come with the region.

Why start with Kazakhstan

According to the U.S. International Trade Administration, Kazakhstan is Central Asia’s top economy, driven by large reserves of oil, gas, coal, uranium and other minerals. It describes the country as a growing transport hub linking China, South Asia, Russia and Europe, and as a gateway to over 500 million regional consumers. Its priority sectors for foreign suppliers include critical minerals and mining, energy, digital technologies, transport and logistics, and agribusiness.

The same source is frank about the challenges: progress on reform remains uneven, with corruption and bureaucratic inefficiency still an issue. That combination of real demand and real friction is why preparation matters.

For Australian trade figures and official travel advice, check DFAT’s Kazakhstan country brief and Smartraveller.

Mining and mining services

Kazakhstan is one of the world’s major mining countries. The ITA’s sector guide reports that:

• Kazakhstan is the world’s largest uranium producer, with 39% of global production
• it ranks third globally in titanium production, seventh in zinc and eighth in lead
• mining contributes about 23.3% of GDP, with more than 230 enterprises producing or processing minerals
• critical minerals and rare earths are an emerging growth area, including nine lithium oxide deposits and 18 tantalum deposits identified by the government

The opening for mining equipment, technology and services providers is clear. According to the ITA, more than half of mining, processing and smelting enterprises run on outdated equipment, nearly all lack environmentally friendly technologies, and the country has no domestic mining machinery industry. Demand includes drilling equipment, geological and geophysical surveying, turnkey project management and technologies that reduce environmental harm.

There is a practical catch. The ITA notes that moving large equipment can be difficult because suppliers need to avoid northern routes through Russia, which can mean dismantling machinery for shipment.

Agriculture

Agriculture employs over 11% of Kazakhstan’s workforce and the country is Central Asia’s largest grain producer and exporter, according to the ITA. Wheat production rose to 18.6 million tons in 2024. The government aims to double gross agricultural output within five years.

Areas of demand named by the ITA include:

• Machinery. About 80% of farm equipment has exceeded its working life. The government offers subsidies of up to 30% for locally assembled machinery and 25% for specialised imports.
• Water-saving and irrigation. Water-saving systems covered over 158,000 hectares in 2024, with a target of 1.3 million hectares by 2030.
• Livestock. Investment in breeding, genetics and processing to lift dairy, beef and poultry output.
• Storage and quality control. Expanding vegetable and dairy storage as part of food security plans.

Dryland farming, water efficiency and livestock genetics are all areas where Australian experience may be relevant.

Education

Kazakhstan is actively courting foreign universities. In a recent review, the Office of the Prime Minister reports that branches of 32 foreign universities, from countries including the USA, the UK, China, Germany, France and South Korea, operate in Kazakhstan. The government is improving legislation to simplify the opening of branches and set uniform requirements for them. Branches must keep a national component, including the history of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh language.

The same review says more than half of the country’s universities run dual-degree programmes with 131 universities from 24 countries. For Australian universities, vocational providers and education technology companies, that points to several entry models: a branch campus, a joint or dual-degree programme, or training and teacher development.

How business works on the ground

A few points from official guidance are worth knowing before your first trip:

• Language. Kazakhstan promotes the Kazakh language, but Russian remains widely used in business, and English is gaining ground in the major cities. The ITA advises hiring qualified interpreters.
• Relationships. Building relationships can take time and patience, and meetings may be slow to schedule.
• Pricing. The ITA lists transport costs, import duties, the standard 16% VAT and the high margins expected by importers and distributors as key pricing factors. It advises using licensed customs brokers.
• After-sales service. Distributors expect equipment to come with some form of warranty and reliable support. Plan for spare parts and service from the start.
• Legal options. The U.S. State Department notes that the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has its own court and arbitration centre based on English common law, independent of the national courts.

Sanctions and compliance

Kazakhstan trades closely with Russia, and the U.S. State Department notes that Kazakh businesses must take extra care when working with Russian partners or shipping goods through Russia. Compliance is not optional. The Council of the EU notes that those seeking to get around EU sanctions on Russia have relied on third-country jurisdictions, and that the EU sanctions individuals and companies involved in circumvention, including some outside Russia.

For an Australian company this means:

• screening your buyers, distributors and their owners before you sign
• checking end use and end users for equipment and technology
• following Australia’s own sanctions laws as well as any EU, UK and UN rules that apply to your deal

Do this with a qualified sanctions or trade lawyer, especially for machinery, electronics and dual-use items.

How Mavericks Go helps

Mavericks Go takes companies into Kazakhstan and Central Asia: a market briefing and entry plan, introductions to local distributors, buyers and counterparts through Mavericks Connect, trade missions, a presence at the Mavericks Kazakhstan edition, and support after you land. Every client and counterpart is screened against EU, UK and UN sanctions lists, and every Go deal is screened against EU sanctions.