Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Chairs Interim Meeting of Foreign Investors’ Council

Astana, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired an interim meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council to discuss investor activities and their contribution to domestic value creation, according to media reports. The meeting underscored the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the business climate and accelerate economic diversification, in line with directives from the President of Kazakhstan.

During the session, Prime Minister Bektenov reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to fostering strategic partnerships with foreign investors, especially in priority economic sectors. These efforts are geared toward deep localization, job creation, and the launch of new industrial enterprises.

“We are interested in working with you to establish new production facilities in Kazakhstan, which will support employment and deep localization,” Prime Minister Bektenov stated. “It is important to unlock the potential for new areas of cooperation and implement breakthrough projects in the priority sectors of economy. We have created all the necessary conditions for this. The Government of Kazakhstan is open to constructive dialogue and ready to jointly find solutions that will contribute to our country’s development.”

Key stakeholders presented reports on the progress of investment policies in several critical sectors, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, ecology, oil and gas, labor legislation, human capital development, and digitalization. Speakers included:

• Yerlan Dosymbekov, Chairman of the Board of the Association “Kazakhstan Foreign Investors’ Council” and Managing Partner at EY for Central Asia and the Caucasus
• Cécile Rollin, Managing Director of ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc.
• Dimitriy Propp, Director of Marketing and Sales for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan at Knauf Gips Kapchagay LLP
• Saken Zhumashev, Managing Partner and Executive Director at KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia
• Adam Alekseyuk, CEO of JSC “Himpharm”
• Huseyin Ozhan, Managing Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The discussions highlighted future priorities, including the improvement of environmental regulations, advancement of cloud and AI technologies, refinement of migration policy, digitalization of subsoil use, better coordination in addressing the Caspian Sea’s declining water levels, and attracting investment and innovation in healthcare.

Representatives from several key ministries — including the Ministries of National Economy, Energy, Labor and Social Protection, Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, and Health — provided detailed responses to the issues raised by investors.

Kazakhstan continues to implement broad structural reforms to enhance its business environment. Notable among these initiatives are:

• The adoption of the Law on Industrial Policy, designed to integrate local suppliers into value chains
• The Investment Policy Concept, updated through 2029 to support a robust and sustainable business ecosystem
• The launch of the National Digital Investment Platform, aimed at streamlining project implementation
• Infrastructure expansion, including the provision of ready-made industrial sites within special economic, industrial, and small industrial zones
• Ongoing efforts to establish long-term contracts and off-take agreements to optimize capacity utilization and attract new market participants

At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Bektenov instructed relevant government bodies and organizations to address the issues and recommendations raised by the Council members and to ensure continued progress in collaboration with foreign investors.

The Foreign Investors’ Council remains a key platform for dialogue between the Government of Kazakhstan and international business leaders, reinforcing the country’s commitment to transparency, partnership, and long-term economic development.