Europe Asia News

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a briefing for representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations on the objectives set out by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his address to the nation titled "Kazakhstan's Current Priorities in the New Historical Cycle."

Approximately 100 diplomatic representatives attended the meeting in Astana. Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev and Deputy Minister of Transport Damir Kozhakhmetov delivered remarks.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Tileuberdi stated that President Tokayev's address, delivered in the 35th year of independence, assessed the country's development to date and outlined its long-term development strategy.

Tileuberdi said that, amid increasing global uncertainty, Kazakhstan's foreign policy was based on the principles of constructive dialogue, commitment to international obligations and balanced pragmatism. He reported that foreign direct investment in the country increased by 14.4 percent in 2025, reaching $20.5 billion.

Tileuberdi stated that approximately 6.5 trillion tenge would be allocated from the National Fund for infrastructure modernization by the end of 2029 and that a proposal had been made to designate 2027 as the "Year of Nationwide Large-Scale Construction."

Identifying energy, agro-industry, digitalization, artificial intelligence and water management as priority areas for cooperation, Tileuberdi said an Investment Court based on the English common law system would be established in the city of Alatau and that a new Civil Code was planned to be adopted by the end of 2027. He also noted that Kazakhstan's diplomatic missions abroad had been instructed to provide individualized support for major investment projects.

Minister of Industry and Construction Nagaspayev said the "Nationwide Large-Scale Construction" program aimed to stimulate domestic industry and increase investment. He reported that manufacturing's share of gross domestic product had reached 13 percent, surpassing the mining sector, and that 647 projects had been implemented in the country since 2023.

Nagaspayev identified mechanical engineering, metallurgy, chemicals and electrical engineering as leading sectors for investment. He explained that investors were offered tax and customs incentives, land plots with ready infrastructure and one-stop-shop support. He said the objective was to establish long-term industrial partnerships based on technology transfer, localization, advanced processing of raw materials and workforce training.

Deputy Minister of Transport Kozhakhmetov stated that Kazakhstan aimed to become one of Eurasia's leading logistics hubs and transform itself from a transit country into a center managing international freight flows.

Kozhakhmetov reported that approximately 85 percent of road freight transportation between China and Europe passed through Kazakhstan and that transit transportation increased by 18 percent last year, reaching 39.1 million tons.

Kozhakhmetov said planned projects included the Bakhty-Ayagoz railway line, the Aral-Caspian transport corridor, modernization of 37 road border crossings along the borders with Russia and Kyrgyzstan, and construction of a new airport in Astana. Placing particular emphasis on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, he invited foreign partners to invest in ports, airports and logistics centers.

During the question-and-answer session, representatives of diplomatic missions expressed interest in Kazakhstan's investment climate, investment guarantees, conditions for participation in projects, development of transport corridors and cooperation on critical minerals.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was stated that Kazakhstan's diplomatic missions abroad would provide comprehensive support to companies seeking to establish modern manufacturing facilities and transfer technology to the country. Kazakhstan's openness to long-term investment partnerships was emphasized.