Kazakhstan to Appoint Investment Prosecutors Nationwide

Kazakhstan plans to increase legal protections for investors by appointing dedicated investment prosecutors in the regions and major cities and creating a platform under the Prosecutor General’s Office to resolve disputes between investors and state agencies before they reach court. The measures were announced by Vice Minister of National Economy Arman Kassenov during a briefing in Astana as part of efforts to improve the country’s investment climate and attract more foreign capital. “To achieve this, a special platform for pre-trial settlement of disputes will be created under the Prosecutor General’s Office,” Kassenov said. “This mechanism is intended to help resolve disagreements quickly without lengthy court proceedings.” Investment prosecutors will be appointed at the regional level. Their responsibilities will include assisting investment projects, protecting investors’ rights, and providing legal assistance during major projects. Kazakhstan consists of 20 administrative territorial units: 17 regions and the cities of republican significance Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent. The initiative follows the adoption of amendments by Kazakhstan’s parliament that expand the role of the Prosecutor General in protecting investors’ rights. Under the new legislation, the Prosecutor General will also act as the country’s Investment Ombudsman, responsible for safeguarding the legal interests of domestic and foreign investors. Regional investment prosecutors are expected to be drawn from existing regional prosecutors and equivalent prosecutors in the three cities of republican significance. The government is also seeking to expand its international investment promotion work. Kazakhstan plans to open overseas representative offices in major financial and investment centers to attract investors and assist potential projects at an early stage. Kassenov said an investment service has already been established within Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC. It comprises four sector-specific investment directorates responsible for preparing projects and transferring them to the national investment promotion agency, Kazakh Invest. A new investor support center, Kazakhstan Investment House, will also be established within Kazakh Invest. According to Kassenov, the center will operate as a one-stop shop for investors throughout project implementation, helping reduce administrative barriers and speed up decision-making. The government is also working with the private sector to identify investment opportunities with strong import-substitution and export potential. Kazakhstan also plans to expand the use of its National Digital Investment Platform, which allows authorities to monitor investment projects in real time, track deadlines, and address emerging issues more efficiently. The reforms are part of Kazakhstan’s strategy to attract much higher levels of investment in the coming years. Earlier, authorities announced plans to nearly triple investment in the economy by 2029 as part of efforts to accelerate economic growth and diversification.