Investing in the Future: A Conversation with Aykerim Absamatova on Kazakhstan’s Strategic Advantage

Interview conducted by Bota Unbayeva, exclusively for EUReflect

As global supply chains undergo significant transformation and investors seek reliable markets for long-term returns, Kazakhstan emerges as a strategic hub for business expansion. To gain deeper insights into this evolving landscape, EUReflect spoke with Aykerim Absamatova, Director of the Investment Attraction Department of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) “TURAN”, located in Turkistan — one of the fastest-growing regions in Kazakhstan.

In this exclusive interview, Ms. Absamatova shares how Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a player in the global investment ecosystem.

– Could you please tell us about yourself and your role in investment promotion in Kazakhstan?

I serve as the Director of the Investment Attraction Department at the Special Economic Zone “TURAN”, based in Turkistan — one of Kazakhstan’s most dynamically developing regions.

My primary responsibility is to build effective channels of communication with both international and domestic investors. I oversee investment projects at every stage — from initial interest through to implementation — while ensuring a favorable environment for sustainable business operations within the SEZ.

– Why should international investors focus on Kazakhstan nowadays?

Kazakhstan currently offers a unique combination of key advantages: political stability, access to major markets, ongoing logistics modernization, and strong government support.

In the face of a shifting global economy, Kazakhstan is becoming a reliable anchor for those seeking long-term, resilient solutions. It’s an opportunity to invest in a country that understands the demands of the modern world and is actively adapting to meet them.

– Kazakhstan is located between China, Russia, and the EU. How does this geographical position impact its investment appeal?

Kazakhstan is more than just a geographical center of Eurasia — it’s a crossroads of global trade flows.

Our strategic location between China, Russia, and the European Union positions Kazakhstan as a natural transit hub for companies aiming to shorten supply chains and reduce reliance on individual markets.

Forward-thinking companies increasingly view Kazakhstan as a base for manufacturing, processing, and exporting goods. This has become even more relevant as the world reevaluates logistics and seeks stable, alternative trade routes.

SEZ “TURAN” is designed precisely to meet these needs: we offer ready-to-use infrastructure and highly favorable conditions for launching production with access to markets in China, Central Asia, and Europe.

– How has Kazakhstan’s involvement in the “Belt and Road Initiative” impacted the economy and investor opportunities?

The Belt and Road Initiative has significantly enhanced Kazakhstan’s role as a key logistical and industrial hub connecting China, Europe, and the Middle East.

Goods now move through our territory faster and more cost-effectively, providing businesses with convenient channels to access international markets.

This initiative has also attracted substantial investment into Kazakhstan’s transport infrastructure — roads, railways, and logistics centers — creating a business-friendly environment not only for transit but also for local manufacturing.

For investors, this represents a tangible opportunity to secure a strong position in a region rapidly becoming a vital link in global trade.

– What sectors are currently most attractive to foreign investors?

Four sectors stand out as particularly attractive today:

Green Energy: Kazakhstan is actively building solar and wind power plants. As the world transitions to clean energy, we’re seeing growing interest in these types of projects.
Logistics and Transport: With our evolving role as a key transit point between China and Europe, demand is rising for warehouses, logistics hubs, and industrial zones.
Agriculture and Agro-processing: Kazakhstan offers vast lands and clean, high-quality products. There is strong interest in agro-processing aimed at exports to China, the EU, and the Middle East.
Fintech and Digital Technologies: The country is rapidly developing its digital economy, creating an increasingly favorable environment for foreign tech investors.
All of these sectors benefit significantly from operating within Special Economic Zones, where investors enjoy tax incentives, turnkey infrastructure, and government support.
– Are there specific priority sectors that receive state support or incentives?
Yes, the government actively supports sectors with long-term growth potential, including: Green energy, Industrial manufacturing, Agro-processing, IT and digital solutions.
Projects in these sectors are eligible for tax and customs benefits, subsidies, and infrastructure support.
Within SEZs, investors benefit from corporate tax exemptions, zero VAT on imported equipment, and other reliefs. The “one-stop-shop” approach also simplifies all administrative procedures, making it easier to focus on business operations.
– How does Kazakhstan compare to its regional neighbors in terms of competitiveness?
Kazakhstan stands out in the region for three key reasons. Firts of all, stability and Predictability; we offer a stable political environment and clear, transparent rules for doing business. Then Advanced Logistics; our transportation corridors are being modernized rapidly, making the movement of goods more efficient and cost-effective. And finally Government Support for Investors; particularly within SEZs, where companies benefit from everything — tax breaks to fully equipped industrial sites. These factors make Kazakhstan a solid base for companies not only looking to expand within Central Asia but also seeking access to wider international markets.
Note
As global investors recalibrate strategies in search of secure, forward-looking opportunities, Kazakhstan positions itself as a resilient, resourceful, and reform-driven economy. Through initiatives like SEZ “TURAN,” and robust partnerships under frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the country continues to enhance its role as a critical link between East and West.
With leaders like Aikerim Absamatova at the forefront of investment facilitation, Kazakhstan is not just opening its doors to the world — it is inviting investors to become part of its next chapter of growth and innovation.