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17 Apr 2026

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Kazakhstan Seeks to Strengthen Industrial Base Through Local Locomotive Manufacturing

April 17, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan is expanding its railway engineering sector as a key pillar of its industrial policy aimed at reducing import dependence and strengthening technological sovereignty.

The machinery industry remains one of the main indicators of an economy’s technological maturity. For Kazakhstan, its development represents not only domestic industrialization but also the strengthening of the country’s position as an exporter of high-value-added products. Railway engineering plays a particularly important role in this system.

One of the anchor investors in the sector is Wabtec Corporation. Recently, Kazakhstan signed contracts with the company worth $4.2 billion. These agreements include the supply of 300 locomotives through 2036, as well as service maintenance, the implementation of digital systems, and equipment repair.

On the sidelines of the 13th Forum of Machine Builders of Kazakhstan, Shyngys Altayuly, Product Director at Wabtec Corporation LLP, told The Times of Central Asia about the expansion of production localization and plans to manufacture a new generation of locomotives.

Since 2009, the “Locomotive Kurastyru Zauyty” plant in Astana has been producing freight TE33A(S) Evolution locomotives, passenger TEP33A models, and shunting TEM11 units. Over this period, more than 700 locomotives have been manufactured for the state railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, including over 40 units exported to CIS countries and neighboring markets.

“With the introduction of our Evolution series TE33A locomotives in Kazakhstan, lifecycle costs have been reduced while ensuring high operational readiness across the country’s locomotive fleet,” Altayuly noted.

He also emphasized that over the past 25 years, 75% of all mainline AC diesel locomotives purchased globally have been produced by Wabtec.

From Imports to Sovereignty

The plant has localized the production of all major components, including the main frame, diesel compartment, driver’s cab, generator, equipment and air compartments, bogie frame, and other elements. This reduces dependence on external suppliers amid unstable global logistics.

At the same time, the facility is expanding cooperation with local suppliers. Kazakh enterprises produce elements of the running gear, safety systems, electronics, and a range of other components, including metal structures, driver’s cabins, wheels, and safety system components.

“In this way, we are building a domestic value-added engineering chain. This includes not only locomotive production itself but also the entire component base used in assembly,” Altayuly explained.

According to him, the localization level has already reached 40%, and further expansion is underway. Components planned for future localization include casting, lighting systems, heated windshields, driver’s seats, piping products, and cable systems.

“Once a company becomes a supplier to JSC ‘LKZ,’ it gains access to international markets. Wabtec operates in 50 countries, and our products are used in more than 100 countries worldwide. Therefore, any enterprise that completes this process and becomes a reliable supplier will gain access to global markets,” Altayuly added.

Debut of a New Locomotive

The next stage of development will be the launch of the new T33AT locomotive, scheduled for production in 2027. The project is being implemented as part of the Wabtec-KTZ partnership and reflects a strategy of integrating global technologies into the national industry.

“The improved performance of Evolution locomotives already covers up to 77% of train weights on the network of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. Going forward, through a set of solutions to enhance all-weather traction performance, we plan to increase traction indicators and average train weights by 9%, bringing the figure to 86%. Given the national company’s shift toward transit traffic and containerization, which reduces average train weights, the corporation has set an ambitious goal of reaching 100%,” he said.

Key improvements in the new locomotive include the use of traction motors with increased pulling power, a new bogie design, and enhanced adhesion systems adapted to Kazakhstan’s climatic conditions.

“Each modification made for this locomotive responds to specific operating conditions in Kazakhstan and the challenges faced by freight operators. These include harsh climate conditions, heavy loads, varying traction modes, and extended service distances,” Altayuly explained.

Engine Production as a Breakthrough

One of the key announcements was Wabtec’s decision to launch production of GEVO diesel generator units in Kazakhstan. This will be the first production of engines of this level outside the United States.

“Today, as we increasingly hear about the need to transition to hybrid systems and greener technologies, Wabtec believes that diesel engine technologies have not yet fully exhausted their potential. We are working to improve fuel efficiency and environmental performance,” the company representative stated.

According to him, GEVO12 engines have already proven their effectiveness, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

“Since the introduction of TE33A locomotives with GEVO12 engines in Kazakhstan, fuel consumption for our customer, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, has been reduced by up to 43%,” he noted.

Localization of engine production will help create a regional center of expertise and further reduce dependence on imports.

“Previously, no similar products were assembled in the country. Initially, our plant focused only on major repairs, but by 2027-2028 we will transition to full-scale production. This will be a significant statement of Kazakhstan’s ambitions as an industrial power,” Altayuly emphasized.

17 Apr 2026

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How Young Professionals from Central Asia Are Building Global Careers

April 17, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

Beyond opportunity, a new generation of Central Asians is learning how to compete, adapt, and fit into global work environments.

“I felt like I would understand what real work is much faster by living in the U.S.,” Ruzana Ileuova says.

Many people view building a career abroad as an opportunity. However, for Central Asian professionals, it also entails constantly adapting to new identities and expectations. While logging in to work every day from a location that feels both familiar and unfamiliar, Ruzana learns to trust her abilities and adapt to unspoken expectations. She says that pressure increases when working remotely, as it requires a high level of self-discipline.

“I always feel like I have to do more to prove myself,” she says. Despite strong language skills and academic preparation, she describes an ongoing sense of self-doubt, particularly in high-performance environments. “Even the language barrier still gives me imposter syndrome,” she adds. “And I’m the youngest on my team.”

Her narrative highlights a crucial aspect of this generation: success overseas requires constant negotiation of confidence, identity, and location, in addition to opportunity.

Reinventing the Path

For others, the path to an international career begins not with a plan, but with chance.

Originally from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Aman Arykbaev did not imagine a global career. His journey began when he was unexpectedly selected for the green card lottery.

“I used to think the green card was not a real thing until I saw that I was selected,” he says.

His early years were characterized by uncertainty, as he arrived in the United States with little money and no guidance.

“I worked almost two years installing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. At that time, my English was very weak,” Arykbaev recalls.

After attending a six-month IT boot camp, he was able to enter a new field and land his first tech job in a matter of weeks. “I had several interview stages, and by the end of the week, I got an offer.”

Arykbaev, who is currently a senior quality engineer, exemplifies a characteristic of this generation: the ability to change course. Careers are now rebuilt, sometimes from the ground up, rather than fixed.

Breaking Into Global Systems

The route was more regimented, but no less difficult, for Aldiyar Bekturganov, an Amazon software engineer. He followed a well-known path of internships, networking, and applications after relocating to the U.S. for college. However, the process was anything but easy.

“I failed my first interview completely,” he says.

That setback accelerated his learning curve. Even after landing a job, entering the workforce was not without its challenges. The shift from university to professional life, he explains, was immediate. “You suddenly realize the work actually matters,” he says. “If something is delayed, people are waiting on you.” Unlike academic settings, where mistakes are part of the process, professional environments demand results that affect teams and timelines.

While Bekturganov represents a more traditional corporate trajectory, Dameli Bozzhanova offers a contrasting perspective shaped by entrepreneurship and flexibility.

Working in London’s startup scene, Bozzhanova’s path has been characterized by experimentation and curiosity.

“It wasn’t a grand plan; it was a sequence of small yeses. In 10th grade, I was set on studying law in Kazakhstan, had already chosen a university, and had even done a legal project I was proud of. But the more I reflected, the more I realised I was drawn to something broader: business, how companies work, how value is created. My father had studied in the UK himself and had always encouraged me to consider studying abroad. So when the two things came together – my shift toward business and his advice – the decision felt natural. I got into Cardiff Sixth Form College, then the London School of Economics, and everything followed from that,” she says.

Her path from studying in the UK to joining an early-stage startup reflects a different kind of ambition, one rooted in building rather than following.

“I’ve always admired entrepreneurship, the idea that you can build something from almost nothing. That curiosity eventually led me toward the startup world. I tried to build my own health app, learned an enormous amount from that experience, and it ultimately led me to Kolleno, which I joined when there were four people and no revenue. Five years later, we’re a cash flow-positive software company,” she explains.

Image: Dameli Bozzhanova

When asked if she felt connected to her Central Asian heritage despite living overseas, Bozzhanova said, “Yes, very much so. London has a wonderful community of Kazakh friends, and I also have family here who came to study and work. That keeps the connection very real and present, it’s not something I have to seek out. It’s just part of my daily life here.”

Adapting and Thinking Globally

For Bozzhanova, adapting meant changing one’s viewpoint rather than trying to fit in. Her deliberate choice to stay open rather than defensive in unfamiliar situations enabled her to navigate a new environment more successfully.

“Being curious rather than defensive. When something confused me or felt unfamiliar, I got interested in it rather than retreating to what I knew.”

“London is simply one of the most competitive cities in the world to study, work, and build anything. That’s just the reality of the environment. For excellent results, you need to put in excellent, or more than excellent, effort. That’s become part of how I operate. It’s not a burden; it’s just my understanding of how things work.”

Bozzhanova presents the pressure as a normal part of a highly competitive environment rather than something related to her home country. In this sense, the need to prove oneself is not an exception but an expectation that shapes both performance and mindset.

“Our generation is increasingly connected through international projects, building startups that are getting recognised in global media, and founding companies that are attracting real investment and attention. The region is producing founders and professionals who are operating at a global level and being acknowledged for it. That visibility matters. It creates a feedback loop: when young people from Kazakhstan see others like them succeeding on the world stage, it expands what feels possible.”

Image: Dameli Bozzhanova

“Right now, I’m focused on what’s in front of me professionally and personally. Where that leads geographically, I’m genuinely open.”

Bozzhanova does not define her future in terms of a specific location, even though she has spent years developing her career overseas. Instead, she remains open, balancing professional ambition with a continued connection to home.

A Generation That Is More Global

A recurring theme in these accounts is that this generation’s perspectives are changing as a result of their exposure to international environments.

“When you work abroad, your thinking becomes more global,” Ruzana Ileuova says.

At the same time, identity itself is evolving.

“You carry your identity with you rather than rooting it in one place,” Dameli Bozzhanova reflects.

Advice for the Next Generation

Bozzhanova emphasizes action over hesitation for those in Central Asia considering a similar path. Instead of overplanning, she advises starting before feeling fully prepared and learning through experience.

“Don’t be afraid to try, don’t overthink it, just start and learn as you go. Doing so teaches you things that no amount of planning or preparation ever will. You’ll make mistakes, you’ll course-correct, and you’ll end up somewhere better than whatever you had mapped out in your head. The path that’s right for you looks different from the one that looks good on paper and learning that difference early saves a lot of time.”

A similar perspective is shared by Ileuova, who emphasizes persistence even in moments of uncertainty:

“The most crucial thing is to keep going and taking action, even when it seems like nothing is working. Stay curious if you’re not sure what to do next. Unexpected opportunities can arise through networking, recommendations, and simply placing oneself in the right environments. You will learn and adapt as you go, so it’s important not to obsess over what is right or wrong at any given time. However, once you’ve made this decision, the only thing left to do is move forward.”

Redefining Success

This generation’s definition of success is arguably the most significant shift. Today’s young professionals are more inclined to experiment, change course, and take risks than their parents, who often followed more linear and predictable career paths.

“Older generations followed a linear path; our generation is more exploratory,” Bozzhanova says.

Many believe the future is no longer tied to a single place.

Aldiyar Bekturganov defines success as adaptability; Bozzhanova views identity as mobile rather than fixed; Aman Arykbaev’s journey exemplifies flexibility in its most literal sense; and Ileuova’s experience underscores the pressure and perseverance required to build a career abroad.

As Central Asians become more globally engaged, their presence in international spaces is evolving. Rather than waiting to be accepted, a new generation is actively reshaping its role in the global workforce, redefining success on its own terms.

17 Apr 2026

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Uzbekistan Joins World Bank’s “Water Forward,” Aiming to Reach 1 Billion People by 2030

April 17, 2026
By Sadokat Jalolova

The World Bank Group has launched a new global platform aimed at improving water security, as Uzbekistan continues to expand cooperation with international financial institutions on infrastructure development.

In a statement released on April 15, the World Bank announced the launch of “Water Forward,” an initiative developed in partnership with multilateral development banks and other institutions. The platform aims to improve access to reliable water services for 1 billion people by 2030 by aligning policy reforms, financing, and international partnerships.

For Uzbekistan, where water management remains closely tied to agriculture and regional climate conditions, such initiatives come as the country continues to modernize its infrastructure and attract international financing.

Earlier, on March 23, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a $200 million project to upgrade transport infrastructure in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region. According to the bank, the project is intended to improve connectivity, support economic activity, and enhance access to services in the southern part of the country.

“Water is foundational to how economies function. When water systems work, farmers produce, businesses operate, and cities attract investment,” World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said. “Our task now is to align reform, financing, and partnerships to deliver reliable water services at scale.”

According to the World Bank, around 4 billion people globally experience water scarcity, despite water supporting health systems, agriculture, energy production, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs. Weak regulations, unclear policies, and underfunded utilities have slowed investment in many countries, particularly in developing economies.

The new platform will focus on country-led “water compacts,” under which governments set priorities for reforms, strengthen institutions, and outline investment strategies for the sector. Fourteen countries have already announced such compacts, while additional agreements are expected.

The initiative also brings together a wide range of financial institutions, including the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Islamic Development Bank, to coordinate funding and technical expertise. The World Bank said it aims to help deliver water security to 400 million people directly, with partner contributions expected to raise the total to over 1 billion.

17 Apr 2026

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Kyrgyz Minister Sydykov Courts Investment in Washington

April 17, 2026
By Javier M. Piedra

On the occasion of the annual IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington this week, the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, led a delegation to Washington D.C. for World Bank and IMF meetings, the Department of State Annual Bilateral Consultations, a meeting with Secretary of State Rubio, Deputy Secretary Landau and Under Secretary Hooker, as well as a number of other constructive dialogues and engagements with scholars, researchers, and authors.

This trip marks the second high-level U.S. visit in a year, signaling Washington’s strategic interest and Kyrgyzstan’s willingness to deepen cooperation.

Bakyt Sydykov, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, accompanied the Prime Minister. The delegation’s visit to Washington reinforces President Sadyr Japarov’s statement to President Donald Trump during the November 2025 C5+1 Summit, “I am confident that this event will provide an excellent opportunity for U.S. businesses to expand cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, e-commerce, information technology, transportation and logistics, tourism, and banking.”

Following Japarov’s lead, Sydykov is actively engaging private and multilateral partners; state and Commerce meetings are meant to keep things moving and steady investor confidence.

This shift towards deeper diplomatic, investment, and development ties is striking and certainly welcome in Washington. The shift reflects both an evolving Central Asian geopolitical landscape, post-Afghanistan dynamics, economic needs, diversification goals, and troubles in West Asia. Deeper engagement is also driven by ambitions to enhance regional transport and logistics integration. Kyrgyzstan’s approach departs from zero-sum logic, prioritizing win-win pragmatism and mutual gains.

Minister Sydykov

In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, Minister Sydykov said that this visit builds on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent official mission to Bishkek (March 18–April 1, 2026) and that “our banking sector is strong and well capitalized, as affirmed by the IMF, and we are well prepared against risk, enhancing oversight in the context of global volatility.”

Commenting on the government’s fiscal management following the IMF’s guidance, Sydykov said: “To expand fiscal flexibility, we are mobilizing revenue across a range of standard taxation measures and raising expenditure efficiency with responsible internal wage policies, rationalized energy subsidies, and public investment management. We are pinpointing more prudent debt management measures, enhancing risk oversight, and rolling out tracking metrics to uphold long-term sustainability and credibility.”

⁠Looking forward, Sydykov noted that Kyrgyzstan is monitoring outlook risks related to external volatility, while also insisting that “we are working to hold down domestic inflation – always a challenge with rapid economic growth – and lower fiscal pressures. We assess that these endogenous variables remain manageable, even with increased exposure to cross-border trade and capital flows. While external volatility lies beyond our direct control, Kyrgyzstan is working with the IMF, other multilaterals, and domestic banks to maintain and build resilience. We are therefore strengthening buffers, recalibrating policies, and advancing accounting reforms to support performance and sustainable growth.”

Responding to the ADB’s latest forecasts, Sydykov said Kyrgyzstan’s economy is moving toward greater stability and growth. After an 11.1% surge in 2025, growth is expected to slow to 8.9% in 2026 and 8.4% in 2027, while inflation rises from 8.2% to 10.3% before easing to 8.5%, driven by tariff hikes and exchange rate volatility. Key drivers include new electricity and heating tariffs, along with exchange rate volatility.

Sydykov stressed that “Kyrgyzstan has made significant progress in the implementation of state investment projects and infrastructure development, with tangible results. In 2025, a total of 119 industrial projects were successfully commissioned. The total volume of investments attracted to these projects amounted to $715.7 million, which resulted in the creation of 8,471 new jobs across the country.”

Growth and Inflation

Asked about the interplay between growth and inflation, Sydykov stated: “We are assessing policy options to curb overheating risks in Kyrgyzstan while supporting economic development. Potential steps include monetary tightening, fiscal consolidation through lower deficits and controlled spending, and targeted macroprudential and FX measures if required – we have not yet decided. Ongoing consultations with the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament), the financial sector, and international partners aim to ensure future actions are well-calibrated and aligned with global standards.”

The Trump administration has taken a more transactional approach to foreign relations, prioritizing deals, reciprocity, and core national interests over values-driven diplomacy, an approach that aligns with Sydykov’s response: “Kyrgyzstan shows readiness for a more quid-pro-quo U.S. engagement, particularly when it brings concrete deliverables in mining, hydropower, logistics, and ICT. A deal-driven U.S. posture directly complements opportunities in critical minerals, infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and SME finance. For a long-term partnership that benefits both sides, we understand that priorities must include, for example, secured investment corridors, export facilitation, and energy modernization, along with expanding U.S. preferential commercial access and consolidating its regional position in Central Asia. Of course, the details are what matter most.”

Since President Trump took office, the U.S. Department of State has been actively engaged in the region. While other Central Asian countries have landed significant U.S. deals involving locomotives, aircraft, and mining, for example, Kyrgyzstan is hoping to draw in more U.S. and other foreign investors. Sydykov highlighted: “Driven by our growth momentum, we aim, especially through private-sector outreach, to attract more investors and grow trade under a framework similar to America First—by opening up infrastructure projects, logistics hubs, and agriculture to the capital markets and entrepreneurs—creating employment opportunities in both Kyrgyzstan and the U.S.”

Responding to questions regarding tourism, Sydykov lit up as if it were one of his favorite topics: “Kyrgyzstan, often called the ‘Switzerland of Central Asia,’ offers a unique combination of peaceful coexistence, mountain trekking, financial stability, and affordable access, attracting visitors and supporting regional integration and long-term growth. We are also expanding rail tourism – linked to the Middle Corridor – through partnerships, new routes, and improved services linking destinations like Issyk-Kul and events such as the World Nomad Games. Despite infrastructure constraints, we are capitalizing on rising demand for scenic and cross-border rail travel and invite your participation in these endeavors.”

Regarding commercial rail initiatives, particularly the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan line tied to the Middle and North–South corridors, the government has said that progress is on track. Sydykov concurred, stressing that advancing rail for economic integration is a top government priority: “We plan to expand the rail network by over 700 km and complete the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan corridor and key domestic lines by 2030. This will require major capital mobilization despite engineering and financing hurdles. While Chinese financing is important, we are open to PPPs, sovereign-linked infrastructure financing, equity joint ventures, and international infrastructure funds. Complementary upstream and downstream developments will support long-term viability. Interested investors should contact my (Sydykov’s) office.”

When asked about the link between foreign and economic policy, Sydykov underscored that “Kyrgyzstan maintains balanced relations with major powers and neighbors, including Russia, China, and the United States, while prioritizing sovereignty, regional stability, and economic cooperation. Having said that, my focus is on strengthening the domestic economy to serve citizens, one family and one neighborhood at a time. The economy is my wheelhouse, and I am confident in our future.”

17 Apr 2026

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Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Coming Sunday

April 17, 2026
By Stephen M. Bland

As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region.

This week, the team will be discussing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway with special guest, Almaty-based journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Chris Rickleton.

16 Apr 2026

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No Longer a Startup Market: Kazakhstan Makes Its Case to U.S. Investors

April 16, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

Washington D.C. – Acting on President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s push to convert strategic alignment with Washington into tangible commercial gains, senior Kazakh officials told U.S. investors on April 14 that the bilateral relationship is entering a deeper phase focused on energy, critical minerals, and transport infrastructure. Within that context, the country has undertaken constitutional reforms and other modernization efforts to digitize and improve the investment climate.

The Kazakhstan delegation was led by Erzhan Kazykhan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Special Representative for Negotiations with the United States on priority issues of bilateral cooperation, and included National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov and Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov, who traveled to Washington for the meetings. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United States, Magzhan Ilyassov, also participated.

A Delivering Partner, Not a Prospective One

Kazykhan presented the new commercial push as a direct outgrowth of Tokayev’s November 2025 Oval Office meeting with President Trump, casting the Kazakh leader as a partner in a more ambitious phase of U.S.-Kazakhstan relations aimed at converting political trust into practical cooperation on energy security, critical minerals, and strategic transport corridors. He placed that agenda within the framework of Kazakhstan’s participation in U.S.-backed regional diplomacy as well, pointing to Kazakhstan joining the Abraham Accords and President Trump’s broader peace initiatives. Kazykhan also highlighted Kazakhstan’s role as a founding member of the Board of Peace, noting that Tokayev signed its charter in Davos in January and participated in its inaugural meeting in Washington on February 19. Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a constructive U.S. partner not only in Eurasian connectivity and resource security, but also in Middle East stabilization through support for reconstruction, healthcare, education, and longer-term peace-building efforts.

Kazakhstan is seeking to set itself apart as a partner that delivers. While many countries pitch cooperation with Washington in terms of future potential, Astana’s message is that engagement has already produced tangible commercial outcomes. Following the Oval Office meeting, 29 agreements had been signed, including with Cove Capital, Boeing, Cerberus Capital Management, and Wabtec, with a combined value of more than $17 billion. Kazykhan added that more than 600 American companies operate in Kazakhstan and that cumulative U.S. investment has exceeded $60 billion, making the United States the country’s largest foreign investor.

Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin; Special Representative for Negotiations with the United States, Erzhan Kazykhan; and Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United States Magzhan Ilyassov meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 15 to strengthen commercial ties and advance regional cooperation. Image: USDOS

No Longer a Startup Market

Ambassador Ilyassov said the discussion was more in-depth than a typical roundtable, because the relationship with U.S. partners has matured over many years. The tone of the session matched that description. The discussion centered on specifics of expansion, supply chains, regulation, and long-term capital rather than general market entry.

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United States, Magzhan Ilyassov; image: Kazakhstan Embassy, U.S.

Unlike the rest of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has evolved beyond being a startup market. Kazykhan said the country accounts for more than 70% of all foreign direct investment in Central Asia, remains the region’s largest economy, and recorded GDP above $300 billion last year with growth of 6.5%. Ilyassov also pointed to Kazakhstan’s 34th-place position in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking. The long U.S. corporate record in the country was part of that case: Chevron and Exxon, Wabtec and Boeing, Oracle, PepsiCo, and Mars have all operated in Kazakhstan through multiple cycles.

Rare Earth Development Built on Existing Extraction and Processing Experience

Kazakhstan’s presentation in Washington rested heavily on sectors that now rank high on the U.S. agenda. Kazakhstan is among the world’s leading holders of tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and beryllium, and remains the world’s largest uranium producer, accounting for 40% of global output and supplied 24% of uranium delivered to U.S. civilian reactors in 2024.

Kazykhan presented the tungsten project with Cove Capital as such a model in which Kazakhstan’s natural resource base is linked to existing industrial capacity to create long-term supply arrangements. Kazykhan said Kazakhstan was “uniquely positioned to serve as a reliable partner for the United States on critical minerals and wider supply chains.”

Kazykhan also highlighted the June 10–11 C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue in Astana, followed immediately by the Astana Mining and Metallurgy Congress on June 11–12, as an important opening for U.S. firms to engage directly with both public and private-sector counterparts. The message was that these convenings should serve as a springboard for concrete commercial discussions. More broadly, he stressed that Kazakhstan’s objective is to “move beyond extraction and develop full value chains, including processing and advanced manufacturing,” reinforcing the country’s interest in downstream investment and long-term industrial cooperation.

The Middle Corridor: Kazakhstan’s Second Oil

Kazykhan also placed Kazakhstan at the center of Eurasian transport planning, stating that the country is investing in route diversification through the Middle Corridor and describing Kazakhstan as a major east-west transit platform. He said that this framing reflects one of Tokayev’s most important strategic ideas, that transport and logistics can become Kazakhstan’s “second oil,” a long-term source of national leverage built not on extraction, but on geography, infrastructure, and Eurasian connectivity. He added that five rail transit routes and seven major road corridors cross the country, a point meant to illustrate that Kazakhstan is offering Washington not just raw materials, but also geography, infrastructure, and access.

A Push to Become a Fully Digital Economy

Digitization was another major theme. Kazykhan said Kazakhstan wants to become a fully digital economy within three years and pointed to an Alem AI center, the most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia, a planned data-center cluster in northern Kazakhstan, and work on a Kazakh-language large language model. Executives welcomed the government’s pro-innovation course and reform agenda, saying international firms had taken notice.

New Constitution Reinforces Investor Protections

Officials also tied those opportunities to rules, institutions, and macroeconomic discipline. Kazykhan said a new constitution adopted after a national referendum marked a major political change and strengthened investment security through equal protection of all forms of property. He said Kazakhstan remains committed to honoring obligations and settling disputes through established legal mechanisms and pointed to the Astana International Financial Centre as a familiar framework for international investors. Those institutional changes were presented as part of the Tokayev-era reform agenda, with political modernization and investment security advancing in tandem.

Suleimenov Points to Fiscal Stability and Expanding U.S. Financial Ties

National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov added the fiscal and financial side of the case in separate remarks to U.S. executives, pointing to a new tax code and budget code, a projected narrowing of the budget deficit over the next several years, and low public debt. He also said Kazakhstan’s ties with the United States run well beyond direct investment: the country manages nearly $200 billion in long-term assets, roughly one-third of which are invested in U.S. securities, while about $50 billion is handled by American firms through custodial and asset-management arrangements.

National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov; Image: Kazakhstan Embassy, U.S.

From the U.S. Chamber side, Khush Choksy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Lead on U.S.–Kazakhstan Business Engagement, said, “Kazakhstan’s strong financial position, robust energy and mineral resources, combined with expanding trade corridors and growing digital connectivity, make the country a competitive destination for U.S. private investment. The U.S. Chamber’s U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council sees the ability to partner to help fill gaps in global resource demand.”

Aligning Higher Education with Future Industry Needs

The business leaders asked how Kazakhstan’s push to bring more foreign universities into the country would connect to the industries it wants to build next and whether the country is building the workforce and supplier base to match a long-term business horizon. Kazykhan said the government is putting more emphasis on bringing foreign university partnerships into Kazakhstan itself. Suleimenov and Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov linked that effort to the skills needed for sectors such as machinery, robotics, pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, transport technology, and critical minerals.

Image: Deputy Foreign Minister, Alibek Kuantyrov; Image: Kazakhstan Embassy, U.S.

The Kazakhstan-U.S. Bilateral in the C5+1 Context

In the wider C5+1 context, the April 6 launch of the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council in Washington highlighted Uzbekistan’s effort to convert stronger political ties with the United States into a more structured investment framework. Led by co-chairs Sergio Gor and Saida Mirziyoyeva, the council is designed to strengthen coordination, financing, and project implementation. This is a significant step for Uzbekistan, where investor interest is growing, but the institutional and commercial pipeline remains under development. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan also figure in the broader regional landscape, but the main U.S. commercial comparison remains between Uzbekistan’s emerging platform and Kazakhstan’s more advanced one.

Kazakhstan’s April 15 roundtable reflected a different stage of engagement. The U.S. companies in the room were already operating in the market, and the discussion focused on scaling activity, improving supply chains, and addressing regulatory and investment conditions rather than on initial entry. In that sense, Kazakhstan stands apart as Central Asia’s only maturing emerging-market economy with an established and expanding commercial relationship with the United States. Washington is giving greater strategic attention to Central Asia as a corridor for trade, connectivity, and resources, and Kazakhstan is seeking to present itself as a globally competitive destination for sustained U.S. private-sector engagement.

These kinds of institutionalized economic relationships also serve a broader strategic purpose. In an increasingly turbulent geopolitical environment, stronger commercial ties can help buffer supply chains, reinforce bilateral trade and investment links, and provide a more stable foundation for government-to-government economic cooperation. For Kazakhstan and the rest of Central Asia, deeper engagement with U.S. business is therefore not only an economic objective, but also a means of building resilience in a more fragmented global system.