Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed starting construction of the Balkhash nuclear power plant as early as 2027. The head of state also spoke in favour of signing a comprehensive co-operation agreement to speed up the construction of the Moyinkum nuclear power plant.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
Speaking on 28 October 2026, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the need for thorough preparation for negotiations on new nuclear projects. According to him, all agreements must take Kazakhstan's national interests into account.
"I consider it possible, and perhaps even necessary, to begin construction of the Balkhash nuclear power plant as early as next year and to sign a comprehensive co-operation agreement with the aim of starting construction of the Moyinkum nuclear power plant as soon as possible," the President said.
However, the specific timing for signing the agreement and the amounts of financing are not specified in the quoted excerpt from the speech.
WHAT CHANGES ARE PROPOSED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
Tokayev also spoke of the need for a large-scale renewal of the country's civilian infrastructure. At the same time, he stressed that financing such projects exclusively at the state's expense is unacceptable.
According to the President, excessive dependence on budget funds could reduce business activity and reinforce dependency attitudes in the economy.
HOW THEY PLAN TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT
The head of state instructed the government to mobilise all available sources of long-term financing and, together with the financial community, to work out lawful mechanisms for attracting funds.
"State funds must become a guarantee for attracting private investment," Tokayev stressed.
Thus, the President set out an approach in which budget resources are used not as the sole source of financing for infrastructure projects, but as a tool for attracting private capital.
