Our People > Dmitry Pokidaev

Dmitry Pokidaev

Journalist

Dmitry Pokidaev is a journalist based in Astana, Kazakhstan, with experience at some of the country's top media outlets. Before his career in journalism, Pokidaev worked as an academic, teaching Russian language and literature.

Articles

KazZinc

Kazakhstan Says Violation of Production Procedures Preliminary Cause of Deadly Kazzinc Blast

A fatal explosion at a Kazzinc plant in eastern Kazakhstan was preliminarily caused by a violation of technological procedures, Emergency Situations Minister Chingis Arinov said on Monday, as authorities continue to investigate the incident that killed three workers. The blast occurred on May 5 at a processing workshop in Ust-Kamenogorsk, where a dust-collection unit exploded, triggering a fire and the partial collapse of the facility. Two employees were killed at the scene, while a third later died in hospital from injuries sustained in the accident. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov placed the investigation under his personal supervision following the incident. “The preliminary cause of the explosion at the Kazzinc plant was a violation of the technological process,” Arinov told a government meeting. He said previous inspections had identified multiple industrial safety violations at the facility, including discrepancies in technical documentation, missing assessments required to extend the service life of equipment, deviations from approved engineering designs, weak production controls, and delays in replacing worn-out machinery. Arinov said the investigation remains ongoing and that several expert examinations have been commissioned. A decision on any company liability will be made once the review is completed. The minister also outlined preliminary findings from a separate fatal accident at the Artemyevskaya mine, operated by Vostoktsvetmet, a subsidiary of KAZ Minerals. A rockfall at the mine on May 30 killed one worker. According to Arinov, investigators believe the accident was linked to mining operations conducted in violation of project documentation and inadequate worksite management. Speaking at the same meeting, Labor and Social Protection Minister Askarbek Yertayev said the authorities had recorded 39 cases this year in which employers allegedly concealed workplace injuries. The highest number of cases was reported in the services sector, with 18 incidents, followed by manufacturing and construction, with five cases each. Regionally, the largest numbers were recorded in Atyrau Region, Astana, and Akmola Region, he said. Yertayev said the practice allows employers to avoid liability while depriving injured workers of compensation and social benefits. According to government data, about 479,000 people in Kazakhstan currently work in hazardous or harmful conditions. The industrial sector accounts for 295,000 of those workers, including 173,000 in mining and 122,000 in manufacturing. The largest concentrations of workers employed in hazardous conditions are in Karaganda Region, followed by Pavlodar, Mangystau, and East Kazakhstan regions. The figures add to wider concerns over enforcement in Kazakhstan’s heavy industries, where aging equipment, subcontracting chains, and pressure to maintain production can make safety oversight difficult. Kazakhstan has faced increased scrutiny over industrial safety standards following a series of deadly accidents in the mining and metals sectors. Last year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered a nationwide review of industrial facilities to assess compliance with safety regulations.

1 week ago

Pharmaceuticals

Investment in Kazakhstan’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing More Than Triples in Three Years

Investment in Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing sector reached $142.8 million in 2025, more than three times the level recorded in 2023, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. At a recent ministry board meeting, First Vice Minister of Healthcare Timur Sultangaziyev said Kazakhstan continues to show strong growth in attracting investment into pharmaceutical production. According to Sultangaziyev, gross investment inflows into the sector totaled $46.9 million in 2023 before nearly doubling to $91.3 million in 2024. Growth continued in 2025, with investment reaching $142.8 million. “These investments are being directed toward the modernization of production facilities, capacity expansion, and the localization of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing,” Sultangaziyev said. “This reflects growing investor confidence in Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical industry and demonstrates the effectiveness of government support measures.” The expansion of domestic production has gradually increased the market share of locally manufactured products. In value terms, domestic pharmaceutical and medical device producers accounted for 14.4% of Kazakhstan’s market in 2023, 15.1% in 2024, and 15% in 2025. The Ministry of Health noted that the introduction of a nationwide pharmaceutical labeling and traceability system in July 2024 has provided a clearer picture of market activity. According to ministry data, domestic manufacturers account for 39.8% of the market by volume, indicating a significant presence of local companies in terms of units sold. In 2025, products manufactured in Kazakhstan represented 32% of purchases made by the country’s state-run Unified Distributor, a figure that officials say reflects the growth of local production and strengthens the country’s pharmaceutical security. The ministry said efforts to increase the share of domestically produced medicines and medical devices will continue under Kazakhstan’s Healthcare Development Concept through 2029, alongside broader measures aimed at ensuring reliable access to pharmaceuticals. The government also recently approved an agreement between the Ministry of Health and Steppe Pharmaceuticals to build a full-cycle biopharmaceutical manufacturing complex in the Alatau Special Economic Zone in the Almaty Region. The project is expected to attract approximately $67 million in investment. The facility will manufacture 20 pharmaceutical products, including treatments for cancer and rare diseases, as well as advanced immunobiological medicines. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2031, reach full production capacity in 2032, and complete its transition to full-cycle manufacturing across key product lines by 2034. The investment growth comes as Kazakhstan seeks to develop its healthcare and biotechnology sectors. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, researchers in Kazakhstan recently developed a medical exoskeleton designed to aid stroke rehabilitation, while the Ministry of Health is expanding the use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve the early detection of strokes, cancer, among other serious diseases.

1 week ago

Astana LRT

Astana LRT Carries One Million Passengers in First Two Weeks, Mayor Says

Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek has announced that the city’s newly launched light rail transit (LRT) system, which connects the capital’s international airport with Nurly Zhol railway station, carried one million passengers during its first two weeks of operation. The elevated rail project, designed to bypass traffic congestion on city roads, was launched in 2011. Authorities initially planned to complete construction by 2017, in time for the international EXPO exhibition hosted by Astana. However, the project was suspended in 2013 amid rising costs, and a subsequent attempt to revive it two years later also failed to move forward. In 2019, authorities in Kazakhstan opened a criminal investigation into allegations of cost inflation and the embezzlement of public funds allocated to the project. Former Astana LRT chief Talgat Ardan and former deputy mayor Kanat Sultanbekov were accused of embezzling nearly 30 billion tenge, or approximately $79 million at the exchange rate at the time. In May 2023, both men were sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison. Despite the controversy, city authorities ultimately decided to complete the project, arguing that dismantling the partially built infrastructure would cost nearly as much as finishing construction. In May 2026, the first LRT line linking the airport and Nurly Zhol railway station officially entered service. One of the main concerns raised by critics was whether residents would embrace the new transport system, particularly given its higher fare. A single LRT trip costs 200 tenge ($0.41), compared with 110 tenge ($0.23) for a bus ride. However, Kassymbek said the system’s early performance had exceeded expectations. “Since the launch of the LRT, passenger traffic has reached one million passengers in just two weeks,” Kassymbek wrote on Instagram. “Daily ridership now stands at approximately 65,000-75,000 passengers. These figures demonstrate strong demand for the city’s new rail transit system among both residents and visitors. I thank all passengers for actively using the LRT, for their trust in the new transport system, and for their responsible attitude toward the infrastructure.” Each LRT train can carry up to 600 passengers. Fifteen driverless trains currently operate on the 22.4-kilometer line, with an additional four trains held in reserve. The system includes 18 stations and a maintenance depot. A full end-to-end journey takes approximately 40 minutes, with trains operating at average speeds of 50-60 kilometers per hour. Service intervals range from five to six minutes. Planning is also underway for the second phase of the network, which would run from Astana-1 railway station, the city’s older rail terminal, through the Zhagalau residential district on Astana’s western outskirts and onward to Kosshy, a fast-growing satellite city south of the capital. The proposed extension would span 26.5 kilometers and include 20 stations. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, former LRT project chief Talgat Ardan was detained in Turkey in May last year. However, he has yet to be extradited to Kazakhstan. According to officials in Kazakhstan, the delay stems from the absence of specific deadlines for processing extradition requests under the legal...

1 week ago

Wildlife Restoration

Kazakhstan Releases New Group of Przewalski’s Horses Into the Wild

A group of five Przewalski’s horses has been released into the wild in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay Region as part of a reintroduction program to restore the species to its historical habitat, according to the country’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Przewalski’s horse is the last surviving horse species. Once widespread across the grasslands of Central Asia, including present-day Kazakhstan, the species is distinguished by its stocky build, large head, and dun-colored coat with a dark mane. By 1969, Przewalski’s horses had disappeared from the wild and survived only in captivity. Kazakhstan launched a reintroduction program aimed at restoring a self-sustaining population in the country’s vast steppe ecosystems. The first seven horses arrived in Kostanay Region in the summer of 2024. A second group of seven horses was transported from Prague Zoo and Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park in June 2025. On May 25, five horses from that second group were released into the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve. The group consists of Galvan, a stallion brought from Prague, and four mares from Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park. According to the Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology, the animals spent the past year in large acclimatization enclosures, where veterinarians and other specialists monitored their condition. Officials said the horses adapted to the local climate, survived the winter, and were considered ready for release onto the steppe. Before the release, Galvan was fitted with a GPS collar to allow researchers to monitor the group’s movements and gather data on their behavior in a natural environment. According to reserve specialists, the horses are in good condition and have already begun exploring new grazing areas and watering sites. Following their release, the animals remain under the supervision of state wildlife inspectors. Specialists will continue tracking their movements and adaptation to life in the wild. The ministry said that the release of these Przewalski’s horses is an important milestone in a reintroduction project that began in 2024, involving partnership between Ministry of Ecology and numerous European zoos. The initiative draws on Prague Zoo’s previous experience reintroducing Przewalski’s horses to Mongolia, one of the world’s most successful conservation programs for the species. The first group of seven horses brought to Kazakhstan in June 2024 remained under veterinary and zoological supervision throughout its adaptation period. The animals successfully endured their first winter in the Torgai Steppe, where temperatures dropped to as low as -30°C, and completed all necessary veterinary procedures. Six of those horses were released into the wild in early June 2025 after a year of acclimatization. Kazakh authorities plan to bring approximately 40-45 Przewalski’s horses to the country by 2029, a number considered sufficient to establish a breeding population capable of sustaining itself in the wild.

1 week ago

Kazakhstan AI Development Takes Center Stage at EAEU Forum

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has urged Eurasian Economic Union member states to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence across trade, logistics, industry, and agriculture, as Astana seeks to turn Kazakhstan AI development into a wider regional agenda. Speaking on May 28 at the plenary session of the Fifth Eurasian Economic Forum in Astana, titled “The EAEU in the Global Digital Race: Betting on Artificial Intelligence,” Tokayev said digital transformation would be a decisive factor in the bloc’s global competitiveness. The EAEU is a Russia-led bloc of countries which also includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan. “It is critically important to intensify the adoption of new technologies, primarily artificial intelligence, in trade and logistics,” Tokayev said. According to the Kazakh president, integrating national digital systems would allow member states to speed up customs procedures, process documents in real time, forecast cargo flows, and identify logistical bottlenecks. Tokayev also called for the mutual recognition of digital signatures across the EAEU, arguing that such a step could significantly reduce business costs and increase trade volumes within the bloc. He said the analytical capabilities of artificial intelligence could play a major role in strengthening industrial cooperation within the union, modernizing agriculture, and improving regional food security. “The comprehensive application of new technologies will become the most important factor in ensuring dynamic economic growth for EAEU member states,” Tokayev said. At the same time, the president warned that AI development should not deepen the “digital divide” between countries within the union. During the forum, EAEU leaders were expected to adopt a joint declaration on the responsible development of artificial intelligence, an initiative first proposed by Kazakhstan in December 2025. The document is intended to establish common approaches to economic digitalization and the safe deployment of AI technologies while taking into account the interests of all member states. Tokayev said the current transformation of the global economy creates a “unique window of opportunity” for EAEU countries. Citing international estimates, he noted that artificial intelligence could add approximately $7 trillion to global GDP over the next decade. “The key question is whether we will be able to use digital technologies as an effective instrument for accelerated economic and social development,” Tokayev said. Kazakhstan has increasingly promoted initiatives related to AI regulation and development in recent years, seeking to position itself as Central Asia’s leading AI hub. That said, its progress so far has been strongest in state-led digitalization rather than in globally competitive private-sector AI development. In the 2025 Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, Kazakhstan ranked 60th out of 195 countries, up from 76th the previous year, making it the highest-ranked country in Central Asia. The government has declared 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, created a dedicated AI ministry, established an AI Development Council, and promoted the development of national computing infrastructure, including NVIDIA-based supercomputers and expanded data-center capacity. Authorities have also backed Alem.ai, an international AI center in Astana that includes education programs, startup support, research labs, and a planned AI research...

2 weeks ago

Driverless Freight

Kazakhstan and Russia Launch Driverless Freight Transport Route

Kazakhstan and Russia have launched a pilot project for driverless freight transportation between the two countries, marking a new stage in the digitalization of Eurasian logistics and cross-border transport infrastructure. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the launch during a press conference following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Commenting on the results of the negotiations, Tokayev said that transport connectivity plays a crucial role for both neighboring countries in delivering goods to domestic and international markets. He added that Kazakhstan and Russia are actively developing transcontinental transport corridors along both the North-South and East-West routes as part of wider efforts to strengthen Eurasian connectivity. “It is encouraging that systematic measures are being taken to optimize tariffs, simplify administrative procedures, and modernize border infrastructure, resulting in steady growth in cargo transportation volumes,” Tokayev said. He also said that freight volumes between the two countries reached approximately 92 million tons last year, an increase of nearly 3.5%. “We plan to continue increasing these indicators, including through the introduction of advanced digital solutions and artificial intelligence technologies. A clear example is today’s launch of driverless freight vehicles between our countries,” Tokayev added. Speaking on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Forum, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Transport Damir Kozhakhmetov told the Russian news agency TASS that the first test routes are operating between Astana and Moscow. “As part of cooperation between our two countries, we are integrating our digital solutions in order to move from traditional systems into a new era of autonomous transportation,” Kozhakhmetov said. “Two trucks departed simultaneously from Moscow and Astana and crossed the border checkpoint. This demonstrated that we are already infrastructurally prepared to move to a new level of cooperation,” he added. Earlier, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev said Russia and Kazakhstan were prepared to establish permanent driverless freight routes as early as this year. Tokayev said the innovative transport initiative reflects the broader quality of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Russia. “In conditions of continuing turbulence in global politics, stable and predictable models of interstate partnership acquire special value,” the president said. “Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia have stood the test of time and are now successfully responding to the challenges of a new era.” According to Tokayev, bilateral cooperation is based on large-scale projects that provide practical benefits for both countries, while stable trade and economic ties continue to support growth across key sectors of their economies. He noted that bilateral trade turnover in the agricultural sector alone has increased by approximately $1 billion over the past five years. Investment cooperation has also continued to expand. Tokayev said Russia has become the largest source of foreign direct investment in Kazakhstan, with total Russian investments exceeding $29 billion. “At the same time, Kazakh investments in the Russian economy have reached $9 billion, which is also a strong indicator,” Tokayev said. According to the president, more than 20,000 companies with Russian participation currently operate in Kazakhstan. Tokayev also highlighted energy cooperation as another example of successful bilateral partnership,...

2 weeks ago

Electric Vehicles

Chinese Brands Drive Fivefold Surge in Kazakhstan’s Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Sales

Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in Kazakhstan rose nearly fivefold in the first four months of 2026, as Chinese brands expanded their presence and buyers turned to plug-in hybrids and extended-range models suited to the country’s long distances and harsh climate. According to the Kazakhstan Automobile Union, official dealers sold 2,122 passenger vehicles in the New Energy Vehicles, or NEV, segment between January and April, nearly five times more than during the same period last year. The NEV category includes fully electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs, and extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs, which combine electric and conventional power systems. Most sales came from hybrid and extended-range models, which accounted for 1,499 units, while fully electric vehicles represented 623 sales. Demand growth became particularly noticeable in March and April after a relatively moderate start to the year. Analysts say electric and hybrid vehicles are gradually moving beyond their status as a niche segment of the Kazakh automotive market. “Today, buyers are increasingly choosing plug-in hybrids and extended-range vehicles,” said Anar Makasheva, president of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union. According to Makasheva, such models offer many Kazakh consumers a compromise between fuel efficiency, driving range, and practicality. The pattern reflects a wider trend in Kazakhstan’s car market, where fully electric vehicles remain attractive but face practical limits linked to charging infrastructure, winter performance, and long intercity routes. Plug-in hybrids and extended-range models offer many buyers a lower-risk transition from conventional cars. Chinese automaker BYD became the clear market leader in Kazakhstan’s NEV segment, selling 1,181 vehicles, an increase of 432% compared with the same period last year. Li Auto ranked second with sales of 384 vehicles, while Geely Galaxy placed third with 367 units sold. The top five also included Zeekr and ROX. The best-selling model in the segment was the hybrid BYD Song Plus DM-i, with 413 vehicles sold during the first four months of the year. It was followed by the Geely Galaxy EX5 EM-i and the BYD Chazor. Other popular models included the Li Auto L6 and the fully electric BYD Yuan Up. In the traditional hybrid, or HEV, category, the Toyota Camry remained the market leader, with dealers selling 274 vehicles. For comparison, Kazakhstan sold a total of 4,242 NEV vehicles during all of 2025, while sales in 2024 amounted to only 1,083 units. The figures also come amid wider growth in Kazakhstan’s automotive sector. In February, the Kazakhstan Automobile Union projected that vehicle production could exceed 209,000 units in 2026, following output of 171,400 units in 2025. The growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles comes as the government looks for ways to make the segment more visible and easier to regulate. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan plans to introduce green license plates for electric vehicles to simplify identification by traffic surveillance systems.

2 weeks ago

Driverless Taxis

Kazakhstan Prepares to Launch Driverless Taxi Service in 2026

Kazakhstan plans to launch a pilot project for driverless taxis in the second half of 2026, accelerating the country’s push toward autonomous transport technologies and the digitalization of urban mobility. Preparations for the project were announced by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. According to the ministry, Yandex Qazaqstan and inDrive have already begun preparing the necessary infrastructure under government coordination. The project includes the construction of specialized garages, the import and configuration of autonomous vehicles, and the adaptation of software to Kazakhstan’s traffic regulations and local road conditions. “The project is being implemented through a ‘regulatory sandbox’ mechanism, which will allow technological solutions to be tested in controlled conditions and help form the necessary legislative framework,” the ministry said in a statement. Officials noted that Kazakhstan currently lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework governing autonomous transport, including standards related to safety, navigation, and traffic management. As a result, driverless vehicles will initially operate under continuous supervision by human operators, and the project will move forward only after testing is completed and infrastructure readiness is confirmed. Almaty is expected to become the primary city for the introduction of the service, although routes and traffic schemes for autonomous taxis are still being designed. Earlier, the administration of Astana also signed memorandums with Yandex Qazaqstan and inDrive regarding the launch of driverless taxi services in the capital in 2026. At the same time, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport is developing separate regulations for the use of autonomous cargo trucks on inter-city highways. Kazakh authorities say they are drawing on international experience in deploying autonomous transport technologies. The ministry noted that Tesla is currently testing robotaxi services in Texas, while Waymo already operates commercial autonomous ride services in several U.S. cities. In China, similar projects are being developed by Baidu and Pony.ai.

2 weeks ago

Automotive Industry

Kazakhstan’s Auto Industry Maintains Growth Despite Slowing Momentum

Production of cars and other automotive equipment in Kazakhstan continued to grow rapidly in early 2026, although the pace of expansion has begun to slow amid intensifying competition and changing market conditions. According to the Kazakhstan Automobile Union, domestic manufacturers produced 63,403 units of automotive equipment between January and April, an increase of 35.1% compared to the same period last year. During the first quarter, growth had stood slightly higher at 36.8%. In April alone, Kazakh factories produced 18,144 units of automotive equipment, up 31% year-on-year and nearly 4% higher than in March. The figures include passenger cars, trucks, buses, special-purpose vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers. “Despite intensifying competition and changes in market conditions, Kazakhstan’s automotive industry continues to maintain strong growth momentum,” said Anar Makasheva, president of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union. According to Makasheva, automotive manufacturing now accounts for more than 42% of the country’s machine-building sector. The value of production of automobiles, trailers, and semi-trailers reached approximately $1.6 billion during the first four months of the year, nearly 20% higher than in the same period in 2025. Passenger vehicles remain the core driver of growth in Kazakhstan’s automotive industry. Between January and April, the country assembled 59,057 passenger cars, 36.8% more than a year earlier. Production of trucks increased by 9.3% to 1,967 units, while bus production rose by 34.3% to 986 units. Output of trailers and semi-trailers grew by 17.1%, although production of special-purpose vehicles declined by around 12%. The largest manufacturer remains the Kostanay-based Allur plant, which produced 23,161 vehicles during the reporting period. Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan, located in Almaty, manufactured 17,710 units, while Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan assembled 13,373 vehicles. The new Kia Qazaqstan plant in Kostanay continued to ramp up production, assembling 6,575 vehicles in the first four months of the year. The commercial vehicle segment showed more uneven dynamics. QazTehna, based in the city of Saran, more than doubled production to 1,025 units, while output at KAMAZ-Engineering JSC declined by 41%. Among domestically produced models, the Chevrolet Cobalt, assembled in Kostanay, remained the market leader. Sales of the model reached 7,755 units during the first four months of the year. The list of top-selling models also included the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, and several Chinese models, including the Changan CS55 Plus, Changan CS35 Max, Haval M6, and Haval Jolion. The growing presence of Chinese brands is part of the expanding influence of Chinese automakers across Central Asia and the post-Soviet region following the partial withdrawal of some Western and Russian market players. Kazakhstan’s automotive industry remains one of the fastest-growing sectors of the country’s industrial economy. In 2025, Kazakhstan set a national production record by manufacturing more than 171,000 vehicles. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia vehicle production growth in the first quarter of 2026 was approaching 37%.

2 weeks ago

Copper Industry

Kazakhstan and Chinese Investors Launch “Green” Copper Metallurgy Project in Aktobe

Kazakhstan has begun construction of a copper scrap recycling and copper rod production plant in Aktobe with the participation of Chinese investors, as the country seeks to develop higher-value metals processing and expand lower-carbon industrial production. The $100 million project is being implemented in the Aktobe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with support from KAZAKH INVEST and the Aktobe Region administration. It involves China’s Beijing Jinyi Yuanfang Holding Group and Kazakhstan’s Phoenix Industrial Group. The new facility will process copper scrap collected across Kazakhstan and produce up to 25,000 tons of refined copper annually. Authorities hope the project will help turn Aktobe into a regional center for the copper industry and expand exports to markets in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2027 and is expected to create about 250 jobs. “This project is a concrete result of negotiations conducted during our working visit to the People’s Republic of China,” Deputy Akim of the Aktobe Region Abzal Abdikarimov said. According to Abdikarimov, the plant will be the first major industrial enterprise launched within the Aktobe SEZ and is expected to become a new driver of regional economic growth. The use of copper scrap as raw material is being presented as part of a “green metallurgy” strategy aimed at reducing the sector’s carbon footprint and increasing the localization of industrial production. The project also points to China’s growing role in Kazakhstan’s industrial development and Beijing’s efforts to expand its economic influence across Central Asia. KAZAKH INVEST Chairman Sultangali Kinzhakulov said cumulative Chinese investment in Kazakhstan has already reached $25 billion. He added that around 250 joint projects involving Chinese participation are currently at various stages of implementation, while approximately 60% of all Chinese investment in Central Asia is concentrated in Kazakhstan. “Over the next three to five years, total Chinese investment is expected to reach $100 billion,” Kinzhakulov said. Locating the enterprise within a SEZ provides investors with tax and customs incentives, as well as access to the transport infrastructure of western Kazakhstan. The project is being launched as Kazakhstan modernizes its metallurgical sector. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan plans to invest approximately $174 million in non-ferrous metallurgy projects in 2026.

2 weeks ago

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