Overview

The 37^th plenary session of the Foreign Investors’ Council was held on June 24 in Astana, chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Council serves as a key platform for strategic dialogue between Kazakhstan and its international partners, reinforcing the country’s commitment to transparency, reform, and economic diversification.

This year’s session addressed global economic uncertainty, Kazakhstan’s resilience in the face of external shocks, and priorities for attracting and protecting foreign investment.

Several key international and domestic leaders spoke at the event, including Odile Renaud-Basso (President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), Yersaiyn Nagaspayev (Minister of Industry and Construction), Erlan Dosymbekov (Chairman of the Kazakhstan Foreign Investors Council Association), Bhargav Dasgupta (Vice President of the Asian Development Bank), Kaan Terzioglu (CEO of VEON Group), Zhang Daowei (Vice President of the China National Petroleum Corporation), and Martin Vaujour (President of Alstom for Africa, Middle East and Central Asia).

Key Points from President Tokayev’s Statement

Strategic Reforms and Investment Climate

• Resilient Growth: Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 6% in the first five months of 2025, driven by transport, logistics, construction, trade, mining, and manufacturing.
• Investment Headquarters: The government resolved issues related to 137 investment projects worth $70 billion through its new Investment Headquarters and initiated 140 legislative amendments to remove systemic investor barriers.
• Investor Protection: A new “prosecutor’s filter” ensures that no inspections, lawsuits, or restrictions on investors occur without prior approval from the Prosecutor General’s Office.
• Single-Window Services: The National Digital Investment Platform was launched to provide end-to-end public services to investors in one digital portal.
• Tax Reform: A new Tax Code has been submitted to the Senate, featuring targeted preferences for local producers and support for high value-added exporters.

Industrial and Mineral Sector Development

• Mining as a Pillar: Kazakhstan maintains a transparent, investor-friendly legal framework in mining, attracting major global players such as Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Ivanhoe, First Quantum, and Tech Resources.
• Value Addition Incentives: President Tokayev announced a new tax code, which includes a royalty regime aimed at encouraging in-country processing of raw materials.
• Cooperation with Companies: K.Tokayev highlighted industrial advances in railway manufacturing, with companies like Wabtec, Alstom, and Stadler already localising production. Alstom is building service centres and will launch new-generation locomotives by 2028. Wabtec is investing $200 million in alternative-fuel rolling stock, while Stadler Rail built a factory producing 100 passenger cars annually
• Strategic Role: Kazakhstan seeks a leading role in the global supply chain for critical minerals, leveraging its rich resource base and legal reforms.

Transport and Infrastructure Modernisation

• Rail and Road Expansion: By 2029, Kazakhstan plans to reconstruct 11,000 km of railways and build 5,000 km of new highways.
• Rail Corridor Boost: In 2025, 830 km of new railway tracks will open early on the Dostyk–Moiynty section, increasing corridor capacity fivefold. Other key corridors under development include Darbaza–Maktaaral, Bakhty–Ayagoz, Moiynty–Kyzylzhar, and Altynkol–Zhetygen.
• Highway Development: Major roads opened in 2024 include Taldykorgan–Ust-Kamenogorsk, Karaganda–Almaty, and Aktobe–Atyrau–Astrakhan, adding 1,600 km to the highway network.
• Airport Terminals: New international terminals were launched in Almaty, Kyzylorda, and Shymkent, increasing passenger capacity sixfold.

Agricultural Potential

• Global Ranking: Kazakhstan ranks 6^th worldwide in farmland area and is among the top 10 grain exporters globally.
• Agro-Investment Success: Companies such as PepsiCo, Fufeng Group, and Dalian Hesheng are helping create stable demand for local agricultural products while introducing advanced agri-tech.

Digital Economy and AI

• Digitalization Leadership: Kazakhstan ranks in the top 30 globally for digitalization (UN rankings). Since 2018, fintech companies have quadrupled, with 4,000+ entities registered in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).
• AIFC Recognition: The AIFC ranks 1^st in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (Global Financial Centres Index) and leads the region in green and digital finance.
• Fintech Growth: Over 89% of transactions in Kazakhstan are now cashless, and mobile banking usage has increased 460% in four years.
• CryptoCity Initiative: Kazakhstan plans to launch CryptoCity, a pilot zone where cryptocurrencies can be used for everyday transactions.
• AI Development: K.Tokayev emphasized that AI is central to Kazakhstan’s future economic growth, competitiveness, and digital sovereignty.

President Tokayev’s Meeting with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso

K.Tokayev met with Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), during her visit to Astana for the 37th Foreign Investors’ Council plenary session.

• Strategic Sectors: Both sides acknowledged significant progress in EBRD-supported sectors, including SME development, energy, and agriculture.
• Green Transition Support: K.Tokayev welcomed the EBRD’s intention to co-invest in projects aligned with Kazakhstan’s green transition agenda.
• Infrastructure Investment: Renaud-Basso confirmed recent EBRD financing approval for the 234 km Aktobe–Ulgaisin highway, enhancing domestic and international transit connectivity.
• Surge in Investment: EBRD investments in Kazakhstan nearly tripled in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching close to €1 billion in 2023.
• Future Cooperation: The EBRD expressed its readiness to further support Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve transport accessibility and modernise the energy sector.

President Tokayev’s Meetings with Company Executives

• Wabtec Partnership: President Tokayev met with Rafael Santana, President and CEO of Wabtec, highlighting the company’s $230+ million investment in Kazakhstan’s railway sector. K.Tokayev emphasized Kazakhstan’s interest in expanding cooperation, including next-generation locomotive production, new service centres, and increased localisation and skills development.
• Philip Morris Engagement: In a meeting with Marco Mariotti, President of Philip Morris International for the CIS and Central Asia, K.Tokayev acknowledged the company’s role in sustainable development, innovation, and fiscal contribution.
• Citi Bank Cooperation: During talks with David Livingstone, CEO of Citi Bank, K.Tokayev highlighted the bank’s 30-year track record in Kazakhstan. He encouraged continued involvement in strategic infrastructure projects and support for SME development.
• Glencore Collaboration: K.Tokayev also met with Gary Nagle, CEO of Glencore, to discuss joint initiatives in the mining, metallurgy, and energy sectors.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-strasbourg/press/news/details/1026669?lang=kk