Foreign Investment - The Times Of Central Asia

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New Plant for Deep Processing of Grain in Kostanay, Kazakhstan

At the Kazakh-Chinese Business Council meeting in Astana on July 2, the administration of Kostanay, Baiterek Venture Fund, KazFoodProducts, and the Chinese company Myande Group signed a Memorandum of cooperation for the construction of the Qostanay Grain Industry plant in Kostanay. As reported by Kazakh Invest, the plant for the deep processing of wheat into amino acids, bioethanol, gluten, animal feed, and wheat bran, when launched in 2027, will manufacture 430 thousand tons of products per year and create about 600 jobs. Hailing the agreement as an important step in strengthening bilateral relations, Rong Zhen, CEO of Myande Group, stated, “We see huge potential in the agro-industrial sector of Kazakhstan, and this cooperation will increase its efficiency and manufacturability and open up new opportunities for Kazakh products to enter the Chinese market." Alikhan Kairatbek, CEO of KazFoodProducts, added: "Based on the quadripartite agreement, it is planned to increase the production of starch molasses to 33 thousand tons per year for further use by domestic confectionery companies. New jobs will be created. Together with the Akimat (administration) of Kostanay region and Baiterek Venture Fund, we are launching large–scale projects in the field of agriculture and are very pleased to have a strategic partnership with Myande Group." Myande Group will also upgrade the AsiaGrowFood plant for deep processing of corn in the Almaty region to increase its production from 200 to 300 tons per day. Deep processing of grain is one of the most promising areas in the manufacturing industry regarding products with high added value. Kazakhstan annually harvests 16-17 million tons of grain, a third of which are exported. Over 260 different types of products with added value can be produced from grain.

AstraZeneca Foreign Investment Healthcare

AstraZeneca Manufacture of Medicines in Kazakhstan

On July 2, the British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and Kazakhstan’s SK-Pharmacy signed a long-term contract for the establishment of production and technology transfer in Kazakhstan, and the direct supply of original patented medicines manufactured in Kazakhstan by SK Pharmacy. "Today, SK-Pharmacy and I signed an important agreement that reflects our company's plans to produce medicines in Kazakhstan,” said Maria Shipuleva, CEO of AstraZeneca in Kazakhstan. “AstraZeneca's innovative drugs will be produced at the site of a domestic manufacturer, Nobel Almaty Pharmaceutical Factory JSC. In particular, it is planned to contract the production of drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma, for the treatment of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, as well as for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. We hope that our activities within the framework of a long-term agreement with SK–Pharmacy will help further develop the country's healthcare system and, most importantly, improve the quality of life of our Kazakhstani patients.” Yerzhan Yelekeyev, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest, commented that the long-term agreement between AstraZeneca and SK-Pharmacy LLP will provide a positive impetus to implementing an investment project for the contract production of biotechnological drugs in Kazakhstan.

Foreign Investment Agricultural Produce Employment

Turkish Investment in Greenhouses in Kazakhstan

On July 2, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest Yerzhan Yelekeyev, met Abbas Sahin, Vice-President of the Turkish group Alarko, to discuss the construction of a greenhouse complex in Shymkent in South Kazakhstan. As reported by Kazakh Invest, Alarko signed a contract with the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, to invest $150 million in the country’s agro-industrial sector for the first stage of a project comprising the construction of greenhouses, spanning 200 hectares, and creating 1,750 jobs. Preparations by the Turkish company for construction are now underway, with completion scheduled for 2026. Once in operation, the greenhouses aim to produce up to 50,000 tons of tomatoes per year. “Our company has operated in your country for the last 32 years,” said Abbas Sahin. “Given the large land area and available export markets, Kazakhstan has everything necessary to develop the agro-industrial sector. We see the amount of work that has been done in creating the excellent investor protection mechanisms that are now available to investors. We trust the country and have already invested approximately $700 million into projects implemented in Kazakhstan.” In response, Yelekeyev thanked the Turkish investor for contributing to the development of Kazakhstan’s economy and announced, “Turkey is an important partner of Kazakhstan, having implemented more than 70 projects worth $2.8 billion over the years of independence. We highly appreciate that Turkish companies continue to trust Kazakhstan and actively support measures to implement their projects successfully.”

Hydropower Foreign Investment

Construction Starts on Kyrgyzstan’s Latest Hydropower Plant

On June 29, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Japarov, attended the opening ceremony of the construction of a small hydroelectric power plant at the Orto-Tokoy reservoir in the Issyk-Kul region. Constructed by the China National Machinery Industry Corporation, the new plant will have a capacity of 21 MW and provide electricity to more than 14 thousand consumers of the city of Balykchy. In his address at the launch, the president referencing the recent launch of the Bala-Saruu hydroelectric power plant and the imminent construction of a hydro power plant on the Papan reservoir, announced: “We are taking confident steps towards energy independence. The national project of Kambarata HPP-1 is gaining momentum, with a committee of representatives of international organizations and financial institutions created [for its construction]. The implementation of these projects will provide an opportunity for Kyrgyzstan to become a major hydropower nation.”

US aid to education Foreign Investment

Largest Makerspace Opens in Kyrgyzstan with U.S. Support

The Makerspace Learning and Design Centre, part-funded by the U.S. government, opened at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Bishkek on June 24. As reported by the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) American Schools and Hospitals Abroad initiative, Bard College, and American University of Central Asia funded the centre’s construction. The Makerspace is a creative space equipped with high-tech equipment, including 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics kits, and sewing equipment. Open to AUCA students as well as scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and developers, the centre will provide facilities for users to network, learn, exchange ideas, create prototypes, and attract investors. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced: “Makerspace is a place where technologies become accessible to everyone, and innovative projects become reality. There are many creative and progressive people in Kyrgyzstan who urgently need opportunities offered by the space to realize their potential and benefit society.” USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Mission Director Kaya Adams praised the new facility saying, “We are especially proud of our partnership with the American University of Central Asia. This new building will strengthen AUCA’s international, diverse learning community and multidisciplinary learning approach. It will bring together creative thinkers of differing nationalities, ethnicities, gender, and professional backgrounds, including people with disabilities, to forge innovative solutions.”

China Industry Employment Foreign Investment

New Industrial Zone Launched with Chinese Investment in Uzbekistan

On June 27, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev launched the construction of the first project in the Technopark special industrial zone in the Zaamin district of Jizzakh. Chinese investors have allocated a total $1.2 billion towards the realization of 30 projects in the new Technopark. Located on 400 hectares of land, the Technopark will comprise facilities to produce goods with high added value and import-substituting products to meet demands from foreign markets, with particular focus on electrical and mechanical engineering, building materials, furniture, food, and services industries. The initiative will create over 5,000 jobs and produce $70 million worth of goods for export. The Technopark will also provide an International Center for the Exchange of Experience and Engineering, to provide training in specialized skills required by industrial enterprises. Other facilities include an office complex, residential buildings, an eco-park, a large exhibition hall and a shopping center. Apart from the Technopark, Zaamin has recently created a zone to develop its services to tourism which is fast becoming a major driver in the scenic region’s economy.