Kazakhstan maintains its leadership in Central Asia in attracting foreign investments
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, made a visit to the USA, which opened new opportunities for constructive dialogue with leading international companies and financial organizations. The main focus was on long-term investments, localization of production, and Kazakhstan's integration into global supply chains.
One significant outcome of the trip was the signing of an investment contract worth approximately $180 million between the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan and Mars, Incorporated. Under this agreement, the company plans to build a pet food manufacturing plant in the city of Alatau, which will allow for deeper processing of agricultural raw materials and the creation of high value-added products.
According to Mars CEO Paul Veitch, the new plant in Kazakhstan will serve as a starting point for expanding the company's presence in Central Asia and neighboring regions.
During the visit, a round of discussions on healthcare also took place. Negotiations with Ashmore Group considered a proposal to create an international clinic in partnership with Ashmore Healthcare International and Samruk-Kazyna Invest, with Mount Sinai Health System acting as the operator.
This initiative aligns with Kazakhstan's strategic plans for developing medical infrastructure and medical tourism, as well as the "Open Investment Partnership" program aimed at high-tech sectors of the economy.
Issues in the aviation sector were also in focus. In a meeting with Boeing leadership, Tokayev confirmed the interest of Kazakhstani airlines, such as Air Astana, SCAT Airlines, and VietJet Qatar, in deepening cooperation.
Air Astana expects the delivery of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the second half of 2026, which could lead to the launch of direct flights between Kazakhstan and the USA. At the same time, SCAT Airlines is considering acquiring additional aircraft and establishing its first maintenance and repair center in Shymkent in collaboration with an American company.
The conclusion of the visit was marked by negotiations with representatives of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). DFC CEO Ben Black emphasized that Washington views Kazakhstan as an important partner in Eurasia. Discussions focused on projects in the mining sector, as well as the development of transport and transit infrastructure, which is crucial for trade in the region and between regions.
According to the UNCTAD report on global investments for 2025, Kazakhstan ranks first in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Central Asia. In 2024, the volume of incoming FDI to Kazakhstan was about $151 billion, significantly exceeding the figures for Turkmenistan (about $45 billion), Uzbekistan (about $17 billion), and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (about $4 billion each).
The negotiations held in Washington highlight Kazakhstan's strategic course towards forming long-term institutional partnerships rather than one-off investment deals, which should convince international investors of the stability and openness of the Kazakh market.
As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Tokayev also participated in the first meeting of the Council for Peace in Washington, where Kazakhstan expressed its readiness to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza and broader stabilization efforts, including potential financial support and participation in peacekeeping initiatives.
Photo www
