Over the past four years Kazakhstan has suspended six planned projects involving foreign investors. A lack of funding, changes in market conditions, logistical difficulties and the overall geopolitical situation have been cited as reasons for their abandonment.
The first project to be suspended was the production of fiber optic products in Almaty. The Turkish company BC Fiber Group built a warehouse in the city to sell finished products, and expected to localize production in the area, but refused to open a fabrication plant.
The second project involved a ridesharing company from China, DiDi Global, which planned to begin operations in Kazakhstan — but eventually scrapped those plans when it was unable to withstand changes in market conditions and increased competition.
The third cancellation was by the American company Conduent, which planned to implement a national system of toll collection on the roads of Kazakhstan. It rethought its plans after a profitability review.
Agro Global GmbH from Germany wanted to localize production of agricultural machinery in the Akmola region. This also never came to fruition, with the reason this time being a lack of funding by the investor. The list also includes a project for construction of a cattle-breeding complex in the Almaty region by Italian investor Inalca. This was also due to a lack of financing.
The sixth project on the list was planned development of the Alaigyr lead-silver deposit in the Karaganda region. Turkish investor Eczacibasi Holding was interested in pursuing the mining project, but after due diligence, the company declined to continue due to what it deemed as insufficient reserves at the deposit.
