Kazakhstan Reaches Agreements on Investment Projects Worth $4.8 Billion
The ninth Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR-2026) was held in Shymkent, gathering over 500 investors and business representatives from more than 40 countries. As a result of the meetings, 22 documents were signed, totaling $4.8 billion, including investment agreements, memorandums, and framework agreements.
The largest initiatives include projects each valued at $1 billion. The Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan and LLP “DSKZ & KAMC” signed a memorandum on creating a network of 20 regional inclusive schools. The National Investment Holding "Baiterek" and Guoyou Materials Group entered into a memorandum to build a multifunctional terminal as part of the first phase of development at Kuryk port.
The Ministry of Energy and LLP "Turan Wind Energy" signed an agreement to construct a 1,000 MW wind power plant with an energy storage system in the Kostanay region. The investment volume for this project will be $730 million. Another agreement provides for the creation of an intelligent control system on Kazakhstan’s highways: the Ministry of Transport and LLP "Freedom Lab" evaluated the project at $249.6 million.
The Ministry of Industry and Construction and the Aktobe Steklo company agreed on building a $150 million glass container manufacturing plant in Aktobe. The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and Amsa Digital signed a memorandum to construct a 250 MW data center in the Data Valley. This initiative is valued at $500 million.
Included in the list of memorandums is the $650 million "International Medical City of Kazakhstan" project, supported by KAZAKH INVEST and Shoval Kazakhstan, as well as the creation of a meat cluster in the Turkestan region valued at $111.1 million. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Coventry University Kazakhstan agreed to build a university campus with a dormitory in Astana, following the British education model; investments are estimated at $40.8 million.
The Kyzylorda region’s akimat and Apex Packaging signed a memorandum to build a $8.8 million plant for producing polypropylene bags and big bags. Separately, Shymkent and LLP "KOKSAN" concluded a framework agreement on constructing a plant for manufacturing PET preforms and recycling plastic worth $74.3 million.
During the forum, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektinov, reviewed projects implemented with foreign partners in the manufacturing industry, agro-industrial complex, and energy. Among them are the Masdar wind power plant in the Zhambyl region, facilities of China Energy in the Karaganda and Turkestan regions, Carlsberg Group’s non-alcoholic beverage production in the Almaty region, the Alsera greenhouse complex, and the QazAlPack plant in Shymkent.
At the plenary session, Bektinov reported that Kazakhstan’s GDP exceeded $300 billion last year, increasing by 6.5%. According to him, over the years of independence, the country has attracted nearly $500 billion in foreign direct investment, with more than $100 billion in the last five years. He also mentioned the updated Investment Policy Concept through 2030.
The priority areas identified by the government include manufacturing and chemical industries, food production, transport engineering, agro-industrial complex and agricultural raw materials processing, digitalization, IT infrastructure, and the construction of high-tech cities. For investors, as presented at the forum, the Kazakhstan Investment House offers over 100 types of export and industrial support, a special Altyn visa scheme, and the ability to apply English law within the Astana International Financial Centre.
Projects by Stadler Rail, Carlsberg Group, Harvest Agro Holding, Mars, and Air Liquide were also discussed during the event. The plenary session was attended by leaders from Boeing, Masdar, the Islamic Development Bank, Sarens Kazakhstan, and Lasselsberger Group, as well as the mayor of Shymkent, Gabit Syzdykbekov.
