Kazakhstan is moving to strengthen its investment ecosystem with a more coordinated system designed to support investors throughout the entire lifecycle of a project—from initial interest and project development to implementation, expansion and reinvestment. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a high-level meeting focused on improving the country’s investment attraction and support mechanisms as Kazakhstan develops a new investment cycle. The initiative follows priorities set by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to attract higher-quality capital, accelerate major projects and create a more predictable environment for domestic and international investors.

Support Across the Entire Investment Journey

A central element of the proposed approach is continuous engagement with investors. Instead of concentrating primarily on attracting companies at the beginning of the process, Kazakhstan intends to provide assistance through every stage—from identifying promising sectors and developing investment proposals to obtaining approvals, launching facilities and providing post-investment support. The latter stage is particularly significant because the government wants successful investors to expand existing operations, reinvest capital and develop export-oriented production. Officials expect the revised framework to shorten approval procedures and help projects move more quickly from planning to actual commissioning.

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A Unified Investment Management System

The government is also examining the creation of a unified investment management structure capable of bringing together agencies and organisations involved in attracting and supporting investors. The meeting included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, Presidential Aide for Economic Affairs Nurlan Baibazarov, Presidential Adviser and Chairman of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms Aset Irgaliyev, Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev. Their discussions focused on improving coordination between institutions and assessing whether investment initiatives ultimately translate into capital entering Kazakhstan’s economy and new facilities becoming operational.

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Digital Tools to Accelerate Projects

Digitalisation is becoming another important component of Kazakhstan’s investment strategy. The government is expanding the use of digital tools intended to make interactions more convenient for investors while allowing responsible government agencies to monitor projects and identify administrative obstacles. Kazakhstan has already developed a National Digital Investment Platform to monitor projects and address barriers during implementation. The broader investment-support model also includes a Fast Track mechanism designed as a “green corridor” for priority projects passing through approval procedures and accessing state support. These mechanisms are intended to improve transparency while reducing delays that can prevent proposed investments from becoming operational businesses.

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From Reactive Support to Proactive Investment Attraction

Kazakhstan is simultaneously shifting towards a more proactive approach to attracting international capital. Under the evolving model, authorities are expected to identify strategically important sectors, prepare investment opportunities and target potential investors rather than simply wait for companies to express interest. Earlier government plans described an “investment order” approach under which potential projects are developed around the country’s economic requirements and priority industries. The strategy places particular emphasis on productive investment, high-value-added manufacturing, deeper processing and economic diversification. Kazakhstan’s wider investment pipeline illustrates the scale of these ambitions. The portfolio of national investment promotion company KAZAKH INVEST includes 215 projects valued at approximately $78.6 billion, potentially creating more than 88,000 jobs. Of these, 93 projects worth $32.2 billion are under implementation, while another 122 projects worth $46.4 billion are being developed.

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Creating Greater Predictability for Investors

Bektenov stressed that Kazakhstan’s investment policy mechanisms require significant renewal as competition between countries for international capital intensifies. The government’s objective is therefore not limited to attracting larger volumes of investment. It also aims to create a stable environment in which investors have clearer procedures, stronger institutional support and greater confidence when committing capital to long-term projects. Investor protection is also being incorporated into the broader support ecosystem. Kazakhstan has been developing mechanisms that combine government agencies, development institutions, national companies, regional authorities

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