Kazakh Invest - The Times Of Central Asia

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Agriculture

Italian Agricultural Group Considers Launching Industrial Hemp Project in Kazakhstan

The Italian agricultural organization Unione Coltivatori Italiani (UCI) is exploring a project to cultivate and process industrial hemp in Kazakhstan for applications in the textile, construction, and pharmaceutical industries. The initiative was announced by the national investment promotion agency Kazakh Invest. During a recent meeting in Astana, Kazakh Invest Deputy Chairmen Azamat Kozhanov and Madiyar Sultanbek held talks with UCI President Mario Serpillo. The Italian delegation shared its experience in sustainable agriculture and closed-loop production systems using hemp, including the manufacture of fibers, oil, and biomaterials. A Phased Rollout with International Standards According to the statement, the project will begin with pilot plots of up to 100 hectares in various regions of Kazakhstan, where agricultural technologies will be tested. If successful, the initiative will be scaled up. Only industrial hemp varieties compliant with international standards for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, no more than 0.3%, will be used. This ensures the hemp has no psychoactive effects and qualifies as a technical raw material. Kazakhstan first proposed cultivating industrial hemp in 2016, but the idea failed to materialize. In spring 2025, however, a renewed effort gained legislative support. A bill legalizing the cultivation of non-narcotic hemp under strict state control was introduced and passed in June, allowing production for industrial use only. Modern Technologies and Regulatory Oversight The proposed project will employ advanced agricultural technologies to produce textiles, biocomposites, and pharmaceutical products. The Italian side emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance, including certification, licensing, and cooperation with research institutions in fields such as medicine, cosmetology, sustainable agriculture, and construction materials. Founded in the 1920s, UCI is one of Italy’s oldest agricultural organizations and has a long-standing commitment to sustainable development. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture previously announced plans to use domestically grown industrial hemp to produce high-security paper for identity documents. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, this development indicates the potential for multiple hemp cultivation and processing projects to emerge across the country.

Investments

Chinese Company to Invest Over $12 Billion in Kazakhstan’s Non-Ferrous Metals Sector

China’s East Hope Group (EHG), a global leader in aluminum and silicon production, plans to invest more than $12 billion in a large-scale non-ferrous metals production and processing project in Kazakhstan. The project was discussed last week during a meeting between Yerzhan Yelekeyev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest, and Changjun Meng, General Director of EHG. According to Kazakh Invest, EHG plans to build a large industrial park in Kazakhstan, incorporating advanced technologies in non-ferrous metallurgy. The facility will focus on deep metal processing and the production of finished goods for export to the European Union, Central Asia, and China. The project is expected to create up to 10,000 jobs at various stages of implementation. According to Changjun Meng, EHG has already registered a subsidiary in Kazakhstan, which will serve as the project's main operational center. The company has completed preliminary geodetic and hydrogeological studies of land plots across several Kazakh regions and plans to begin a detailed site assessment in the near future. Yelekeyev pledged comprehensive government support for the investment project, emphasizing its significance for Kazakhstan’s industrial sector. "Attracting major strategic investors like East Hope Group opens new opportunities for Kazakhstan," Yelekeyev stated. "We see this project not only as a large investment but also as a way to introduce advanced technologies, create new jobs, and localize production. It will strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global non-ferrous metals supply chain and significantly expand finished product exports." EHG has expressed its readiness to sign an investment framework agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Construction, marking a significant step forward in the project’s development.

Investment

Chinese Company to Develop Low-Altitude Technologies and Intelligent Manufacturing in Kazakhstan

Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan’s national investment company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China's Polyking New Horizons Technology Industry Co. Ltd. The agreement focuses on collaboration in the emerging field of low-altitude economy and intelligent manufacturing. As part of the partnership, the companies plan to establish an industrial park in Kazakhstan, which will integrate drone technologies, smart city solutions, and advanced manufacturing systems. The $200 million project is expected to create 1,000 new jobs, according to Kazakh Invest. Expanding High-Tech Opportunities The MoU also includes provisions for developing projects in the chemical industry and innovative technologies. These initiatives aim to strengthen Kazakhstan's position as a hub for high-tech production and innovation in Central Asia. Azamat Kozhanov, Managing Director of Kazakh Invest, highlighted the vast potential for low-altitude technologies in various sectors, including agriculture, energy, construction, and infrastructure management. “The advanced technologies and expertise of Polyking will bring new momentum to the development of this field in Kazakhstan,” Kozhanov stated. He also noted the significant economic opportunity tied to this sector, adding: “By 2050, the global low-altitude economy market is expected to reach $8.8 trillion. Therefore, we are actively creating platforms to develop new industries and providing comprehensive support.” Broader Trends in Low-Altitude Technology Kazakhstan has already taken steps to integrate drone production into its economy. The Times of Central Asia recently reported on a $12 million project by Yesil Technology Company, a subsidiary of China’s Shaanxi Kaizhuo Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., to establish an industrial drone manufacturing facility in the country. This collaboration underscores Kazakhstan’s strategic focus on becoming a leader in the low-altitude economy, a field that includes drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other advanced technologies that operate at low altitudes. The partnership between Kazakh Invest and Polyking New Horizons Technology marks another milestone in Kazakhstan’s push to diversify its economy through high-tech industries. The planned industrial park, along with complementary projects like drone manufacturing, positions Kazakhstan to capitalize on the growing global market for low-altitude technologies and intelligent manufacturing. If successfully implemented, these initiatives could transform the country into a regional leader in cutting-edge technology and innovation.

Economy

China to Build a Trade and Industrial Park in Astana

Last week, Xinjiang Hengyuan Investment Management Co., Ltd., based in the Chinese city of Baiyang, and Kazakh Invest signed a memorandum to implement the construction of a trade and industrial park, spanning 50 hectares, in Astana. As reported by Kazakh Invest, the project is expected to positively impact the development of critical sectors of Kazakhstan's economy, including logistics, warehousing, processing, trade, and real estate management. The project will also attract Chinese trade and manufacturing companies to operate in Kazakhstan. Yan Wang, Deputy Mayor of Baiyang, commented: "We are entering this project with great enthusiasm, seeing the enormous potential of Kazakhstan as a key logistics hub in the region. Creating the Kazakhstan-China Trade and Industrial Park in Astana will significantly expand the country's logistics capabilities and strengthen its role as an important transit corridor between East and West. We believe this project will catalyze attracting new trade flows and manufacturing." Yerzhan Yelekeyev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest, added: "This project opens up new horizons for cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. The creation of the Kazakhstan-China Trade and Industrial Park in Astana will not only accelerate the development of key sectors of our economy -but-also create numerous new jobs.”

Kazakhstan Kazakh Invest International investment

Kazakhstan Secures Foreign Investment in 40 Major Projects for 2024

Following a meeting on March 12th with the Board of Directors of Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced that foreign investment had been secured for the launch of over 40 projects this year. Kazakh Invest, a national company aimed to attract foreign investment in priority sectors of the economy, currently supports 200 projects. Worth $27.3 billion, the projects have created 68,800 jobs. One of the most significant projects is the manufacture of medical equipment by the American company GE Healthcare in Astana. Products include ultrasound and CT machines for Kazakhstan’s hospitals as well as for export. The American company also plans to provide educational programs for staff in the Kazakh healthcare system. Other forthcoming projects include the production of anticancer drugs by the Swiss company Roche in Almaty, and the manufacture of ceramic tiles, dry building mixes and construction adhesives by the Austrian company Lasselsberger in Astana. The latter’s new plant will create over 200 jobs and reduce the country’s dependence on imported products. As instructed by the prime minister, Kazakh Invest is focused on attracting investment in projects with high added value; specifically, grain processing, the production of in-demand types of plastics, and the domestic production of oil and gas equipment. Looking ahead, Bektenov stressed that to achieve the target set by the head of state to increase the economy to $450 billion by 2029, at least $150 billion of foreign investment must be attracted during the intervening period.