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ASTANA – Kazakhstan signed 22 investment agreements and memorandums worth $4.8 billion at the ninth Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR 2026), which brought together more than 500 investors and business representatives from over 40 countries in Shymkent, reported the prime minister’s press service on Oct. 22.
Olzhas Bektenov spoke at a Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable on Oct. 22. Photo credit: PM’s press service. Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov highlighted the country’s investment opportunities and plans to attract foreign capital into manufacturing, energy, agriculture, transport, digital infrastructure and other priority sectors.
“Kazakhstan’s GDP exceeded $300 billion last year, growing by 6.5%. Since independence, the country has attracted nearly half a trillion dollars in foreign direct investment. More than $100 billion has been attracted over the past five years alone,” Bektenov said.
He emphasized the importance of modernizing the economy through advanced technologies, new production facilities and deeper processing of raw materials, adding that Kazakhstan remains open and predictable for long-term investment.
Bektenov also invited investors to participate in major projects, including a data center valley in Ekibastuz and the development of Alatau City, a planned high-tech city.
Major investment agreements
Among the documents signed were investment agreements for several large-scale projects, including a $730 million 1,000-megawatt wind power plant with an energy storage system in the Kostanai Region.
The package of signed agreements also includes a $249.6 million intelligent road monitoring system for Kazakhstan’s highways, signed between the Ministry of Transport and Freedom Lab.
Before the plenary session, Bektenov reviewed projects being developed with international partners. Photo credit: PM’s press service.
Memorandums of understanding covered a range of additional projects, including a network of 20 regional inclusive schools valued at $1 billion, a $1 billion multifunctional terminal at Kuryk Port, and the $650 million Kazakhstan International Medical City project.
A framework agreement was also signed for a $74.3 million plant in Shymkent to produce PET preforms and recycle plastic.
Foreign investment and economic modernization
Before the plenary session, Bektenov reviewed projects being developed with international partners in manufacturing, agriculture and food production, and energy. These included Masdar’s wind power project in the Zhambyl Region, renewable energy projects by China Energy in the Karagandy and Turkistan regions, a Carlsberg Group beverage plant in the Almaty Region, and projects in Alatau City.
The prime minister noted that international companies continue to choose Kazakhstan for new investments. The government also highlighted measures intended to support investors, including services through Kazakhstan Investment House, a proposed special Altyn visa regime, access to English-law principles through the Astana International Financial Center, and mechanisms to protect investor rights and support investment projects.
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