The Largest US Companies are Interested in Expanding Their Activities in Kazakhstan
In Astana, as part of the US Trade Mission, an investment roundtable was held with the largest American companies under the chairmanship of the Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alibek Kuantyrov. The event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the United States, "National Company "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC, and the US Chamber of Commerce, gathered over 100 representatives from government agencies and businesses of both countries.
Opening the event, Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alibek Kuantyrov, emphasized that over the years of the country's relationship, effective methods of cooperation have been developed through joint investment events, mutual visits of high-ranking officials and large companies. He noted that the President's visit to the United States last year and the roundtable discussion have given a new impetus to the economic interaction between the countries.
Representatives of more than 20 major US companies took part in the event, including "Apple," "Microsoft Corporation," "The Boeing Company," "Chevron," "The Coca-Cola Company," "EPAM Systems," "ExxonMobil," "Google," "General Electric," "Mastercard," "Valmont Industries," "Baker Hughes," and others.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Almas Aidarov, spoke about the high potential for investment cooperation, inviting American companies to consider the possibility of implementing projects in priority sectors of the Kazakhstani economy.
In turn, Senior Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce, Khush Choksy, talked about the significant role of Kazakhstan in ensuring food security in the world, adding that the country has great potential to produce and export products in the agro-industrial sector. According to him, Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in Central Asia, is becoming increasingly interesting for American investors.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia, David De Falco, noted that the record trade turnover in 2022 confirms the favorable development of economic relations between the two countries.
Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kayrat Torebayev, stated that the overall economic indicators of Kazakhstan-US trade significantly increased over the past year. While in 2021, the trade turnover recovered to pre-pandemic levels ($2.2 billion), in 2022, this figure grew by 38% ($3.05 billion).
Chairman of the Board of National Company"KAZAKH INVEST" JSC, Meirzhan Yussupov, delivered a presentation on the support measures provided by the government of Kazakhstan and invited American companies to expand their operations, emphasizing the country's prospects and opportunities. According to him, the total influx of investments from the US in 2022 increased by 82% to reach $5.1 billion. Since 2005, the US has invested over $95 billion in Kazakhstan.
The moderator of the roundtable, Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC "National Company "KAZAKH INVEST," Zhandos Temirgali, emphasized that Kazakhstan is ready to contribute to the expansion of strategic partnership with the United States across the entire spectrum of economic relations, including key sectors. Vice Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaz Idyrisov, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Askar Zhambakin, Chairman of the Foreign Trade Chamber of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ayan Erenov, and others spoke about the opportunities in their respective industries. On the American side, the moderator was Jennifer Miel, Executive Director of the American-Kazakhstan Business Council.
Leaders of American companies also participated in the roundtable. For instance, leading companies in the energy sector such as Chevron and ExxonMobil shared success stories. Companies that have long been present in the Kazakh market expressed readiness to expand their investment activities in Kazakhstan.
Leading information technology corporations, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, highlighted the significant potential of Kazakhstan in the IT sector, emphasizing their willingness to expand their presence in the region. For example, a representative from Google expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan due to the withdrawal from the Russian market and the reformatting of activities towards the Kazakh market. Microsoft, on the other hand, plans to establish a multi-regional Hub in Kazakhstan covering Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Mongolia, and Pakistan, as well as training IT specialists to expand Kazakhstan's digital exports.
The major industrial company Boeing presented an initiative for training personnel in Kazakhstan with the aim of nurturing qualified workforce in the aviation field.
The event concluded with bilateral meetings between representatives of government agencies and businesses from both countries.
The US Trade Mission in Kazakhstan has become an important step in strengthening economic ties and further developing cooperation between the two countries. Both sides expressed readiness to maintain long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships, aiming to increase trade volumes, investments, and technological exchange.