ASTANA HOSTS 7th KAZAKHSTAN GLOBAL
INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE KGIR-2024

The 7th Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable KGIR-2024 was held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, and brought together over 500 business representatives, including CEOs of leading international and Kazakhstani companies in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, energy, mining and finance. The event was also attended by representatives of domestic entrepreneurs and investors, underlining the importance of the event to the country’s economy. The main theme of the plenary session was dedicated to the topical issue of “Global Investment Trends: A Look into the Future”.

Since 2017, the event has been held annually under the chairmanship of the country’s Prime Minister. This tradition continued in 2024. Opening the KGIR, Olzhas Bektenov noted that the roundtable was a logical continuation of the meeting of the Foreign Investors Council, which was held the previous day under the chairmanship of the Head of State. The main purpose of the event was to establish a close dialogue between the government and the business community, which is an important step in building trust and cooperation.

The Kazakh government is working systematically to create a more favourable investment climate. To date, the country has 14 special economic zones, which offer investors tax and customs benefits, simplify the process of hiring foreign workers, and reduce administrative barriers to doing business. A ‘green corridor’ or fast-track mechanism is being introduced to speed up approval procedures for priority investment projects. Conditions have also been put in place to maximise the protection of the rights and interests of both domestic and foreign investors. For example, foreign companies can now choose between English law in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and the national legal system, making Kazakhstan even more attractive for international business.

KGIR participants shared their experiences of implementing projects in Kazakhstan and outlined prospects for further cooperation. Yang Guochuan, Deputy General Manager of China Energy Investment Corporation, said: “We will actively use our advanced technologies, professional potential and highly qualified management team in the energy sector to participate in coal development projects, clean coal technologies, new energy development and infrastructure support in Kazakhstan.

It is important to note that Kazakhstan continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development and the green economy. The roundtable discussed the introduction of innovative technologies that will reduce the carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency in various sectors. Participants also stressed the importance of cooperation between the state and the private sector to achieve environmental and sustainable development goals.

KGIR-2024 also featured thematic sessions on key aspects of investment activity, including digitalisation, human capital development and infrastructure improvement. Experts noted that Kazakhstan has significant potential to attract foreign investment due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, as well as its rich natural resources.

In conclusion, the 7th Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable KGIR-2024 was an important platform for sharing experiences, discussing topical issues and finding new opportunities for cooperation. The event confirmed that Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its position as one of the key players in the global investment arena, offering investors stable conditions, transparent policies and broad prospects for business development.