President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the “Kazakhstan – China” investment forum in Almaty. At the venue, the parties presented new projects in industry, energy, logistics and the agro-industrial complex, and also exchanged signed agreements.
WHAT RESULTS COOPERATION HAS ACHIEVED
According to the President, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and China at the end of 2025 approached $50 billion, while the cumulative volume of Chinese investment in Kazakhstan’s economy exceeded $29 billion. More than 9,000 enterprises with Chinese participation operate in the country.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that cooperation covers industry, digitalisation, agriculture, healthcare, education, satellite technologies and the development of “smart cities”. The governments of the two countries are working to increase mutual trade to $100 billion.
HOW MANY JOINT PROJECTS THE COUNTRIES HAVE FORMED
In the industrial sector, a portfolio of 260 major joint projects with a total value of more than $62 billion has been formed.
Among the areas are an automotive cluster in Almaty, silicon production in the Karaganda region, projects in metallurgy, oil and gas chemicals and energy storage systems. In the agro-industrial complex, projects for deep processing of maize and grain, as well as the creation of a cotton and textile cluster, have been announced.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed launching a Kazakh-Chinese programme Common History Destiny. Designed and Made in Both China And Kazakhstan.
WHICH MAIZE PROCESSING PROJECT WAS LAUNCHED
On the sidelines of the forum, the Head of State, via video link, gave the start to the construction of an industrial park for deep maize processing in the Zhambyl region.
The project is being implemented by the Chinese company Fufeng Group. At the first stage, the volume of investment is $350 million, and the plant’s capacity is up to 500,000 tonnes of maize per year. At the second stage, investment of $1.15 billion is envisaged, along with an increase in capacity to 3 million tonnes per year.
Once the project reaches its stated parameters, the creation of about 1,500 jobs is planned. It is noted that the industrial park should form a full production cycle for deep grain processing in Kazakhstan.
WHAT AGREEMENTS WERE SIGNED AT THE FORUM
In the presence of the President, the parties exchanged documents in ten areas. Among them are the construction of an electrolytic aluminium plant and a wind power station in the Abai region, a particleboard plant in Semey, and projects in the renewable energy and automotive sectors.
Separate agreements concern the construction of a urea fertiliser plant in the Turkestan region, the creation of an investment fund on the basis of the AIFC, the issuance of dim sum bonds on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, as well as the financing of investment projects through the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and China Construction Bank Corporation Astana Branch.
WHY SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO LOGISTICS
In the transport sector, the President noted the development of the route from the Chinese coast to the Caspian and the further expansion of the Middle Corridor. According to him, by 2029 the number of container trains from China to Europe will reach 3,000.
The speech also highlighted projects for the development of rail and road infrastructure, the digitalisation of freight transport and multimodal logistics. Kazakhstan and China are implementing the “Smart Border” pilot project, and together with Minmetals Logistics a logistics corridor with unmanned transport technologies and digital solutions is being created.
The President also proposed holding the Kazakh-Chinese investment forum annually in September under the name Almaty Investment Dialogue “Kazakhstan – China”.