Kazakhstan continues to lead Central Asia in attracting foreign investments
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a visit to the USA, which became an important platform for discussing long-term investment opportunities with leading international companies and financial institutions. The focus was on topics such as production localization and Kazakhstan's integration into global value chains.
One of the most significant outcomes of the trip was the signing of an investment contract worth approximately 180 million dollars between the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan and Mars, Incorporated. Under this agreement, a pet food manufacturing plant will be built in the city of Alatau, aimed at deep processing of agricultural raw materials and producing high-quality products.
Mars CEO Paul Vaithraugh emphasized that the new plant will serve as an important base for expanding the company's business in Central Asia and neighboring regions.
Additionally, separate negotiations focused on healthcare issues. During discussions with Ashmore Group, a proposal was considered to establish an international clinic that will operate in partnership with Ashmore Healthcare International and Samruk-Kazyna Invest, with Mount Sinai Health System participating as the operator.
This initiative aligns with Kazakhstan's strategy for developing medical infrastructure and medical tourism, as well as the "Open Investment Partnership" program aimed at high technologies.
Aviation topics also played an important role in the visit's agenda. In a meeting with Boeing's management, Tokayev confirmed the interest of Kazakh airlines Air Astana, SCAT Airlines, and VietJet Qatar in deepening cooperation.
Air Astana plans to acquire Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in 2026, which could lay the foundation for launching direct flights between Kazakhstan and the USA. Meanwhile, SCAT Airlines is considering the possibility of purchasing additional aircraft and establishing the first maintenance center at Shymkent Airport in collaboration with an American partner.
The final stage of the visit included negotiations with representatives of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The organization's CEO, Ben Black, stated that Kazakhstan is viewed by Washington as a key partner in the Eurasian region. The discussions focused on projects in the mining sector and the development of transportation infrastructure, which is critical for regional trade.
According to the UNCTAD report on global investments for 2025, Kazakhstan holds leading positions in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) volumes in Central Asia. In 2024, the volume of incoming FDI in Kazakhstan amounted to about 151 billion dollars, significantly exceeding the results of Turkmenistan (45 billion dollars), Uzbekistan (17 billion dollars), and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (4 billion dollars each).
The negotiations in Washington highlight Kazakhstan's strategic focus on establishing long-term institutional partnerships, which should strengthen international investors' confidence in the stability and openness of the Kazakh market.
Furthermore, as 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 assist in the reconstruction of Gaza and in broader stabilization efforts, including possible financial support and participation in peacekeeping initiatives.
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