WASHINGTON: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent visit to the United States marked a significant step forward in advancing Kazakhstan’s economic priorities, focusing on long-term investment, production localization, and deeper integration into global value chains.
A major outcome of the visit was the signing of a $180 million investment agreement between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Mars, Incorporated. The company plans to construct a pet food production plant in Alatau, aimed at the deep processing of agricultural raw materials and the manufacture of high-value-added products.
Mars CEO Poul Weihrauch stated that the new facility will serve as a strategic hub for expanding the company’s footprint across Central Asia and neighboring markets.Healthcare cooperation also featured prominently in the talks.
Discussions with Ashmore Group centered on plans to establish an international clinic in Kazakhstan through a partnership involving Ashmore Healthcare International and Samruk-Kazyna Invest, with the Mount Sinai Health System expected to act as the operator. The project aligns with Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to modernize medical infrastructure, promote medical tourism, and attract investment into high-tech sectors under the Open Investment Partnership program.
Aviation was another key pillar of the visit. In meetings with Boeing executives, Tokayev reaffirmed the interest of Kazakh airlines — Air Astana, SCAT Airlines, and VietJet Qazaqstan — in expanding cooperation with the U.S. aerospace giant.
Air Astana is scheduled to receive Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the second half of 2026, potentially enabling the launch of direct flights between Kazakhstan and the United States. SCAT Airlines is exploring the purchase of additional aircraft and the creation of its first maintenance and repair center at Shymkent Airport in partnership with an American company.
The visit concluded with talks involving the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). DFC CEO Ben Black described Kazakhstan as a key U.S. partner in Eurasia. Discussions focused on mining projects and the development of transport and transit infrastructure critical to regional and interregional trade.
According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2025, Kazakhstan remains the leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Central Asia. In 2024, its inward FDI stock reached approximately $151 billion — significantly higher than Turkmenistan’s $45 billion, Uzbekistan’s $17 billion, and around $4 billion each for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Overall, the negotiations in Washington underscored Kazakhstan’s strategy of building long-term institutional partnerships rather than pursuing isolated investment agreements — a move designed to reassure global investors of the country’s market stability and openness.
During his visit, Tokayev also participated in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, where Kazakhstan expressed readiness to support Gaza’s reconstruction and broader stabilization efforts, including potential financial contributions and participation in peacekeeping initiatives.
