At which they discussed the prospects for cooperation with American companies and the possibility of attracting investments to the region. Attention was paid to key areas of the region's development, including industry, agribusiness and education.
Kostanay region continues to develop steadily, becoming one of the dynamic regions of Kazakhstan. The region actively participates in international trade and maintains foreign economic relations with 109 countries around the world. By the end of 2023, the external trade turnover of the region amounted to 5.2 billion US dollars, which is 18.2% more than in 2022.
Special attention was paid to the economic and industrial potential of the region. Aksakalov noted that Kostanay region is actively developing industry, including mechanical engineering, agricultural machinery, as well as the mining sector. In particular, the region is a leader in the production of automobiles and agricultural machinery, as well as mining products, including iron ore pellets and chrysotile asbestos.
In addition, plans to attract investments in the modernization of existing enterprises and the launch of new projects were discussed. This year, it is planned to launch 7 large investment projects in the region with a total investment of 255.8 million US dollars, which will create more than 1.4 thousand new jobs.
Aksakalov stressed the importance of supporting investors and creating a favorable business climate in the region. At the regional level, there is an Investment Headquarters that coordinates the work of government agencies and provides support to investors. Among the support measures are tax incentives, subsidies for infrastructure projects and simplification of the visa regime to attract foreign specialists.
One of the key projects is the construction of a KIA car manufacturing plant, which is scheduled to launch next year. As part of this project, it is planned to create a full range of engineering and transport infrastructure.
Kostanay region is also actively developing the agricultural sector. In 2024, the gross grain harvest amounted to almost 6 million tons, and it is planned to increase the share of processing products from 60% to 70%. There are more than 200 processing enterprises in the region, and 96 new investment projects in the agricultural sector will be implemented in the coming years.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to the possible launch of production of John Deere agricultural machinery in the Kostanay region. The governor of the region asked the US ambassador to assist in negotiations between the Kostanay region and the management of Deere and Company to attract the company to the region and organize the production of John Deere agricultural machinery.
In addition, Kumar Aksakalov shared plans for the construction of a separate campus of the University of Minnesota in Kostanay region. There is already a program in which students of the Kostanay Regional University named after Akhmet Baitursynov begin their studies in Kostanay, and then continue it at the University of Minnesota. The construction of the campus will be the next step in expanding educational opportunities for the region's youth and deepening ties with American universities.
Kumar Aksakalov expressed deep interest in further establishing cooperation with American investors and noted that Kostanay region is open to implementing joint projects in various sectors of the economy, including industry, agriculture and energy.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/894721