Kazakhstan attracts over $30bn in FDI from CAREC countries since 2005

Kazakhstan has drawn more than $30bn in foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries taking part in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program since 2005, while trade turnover with the region reached $8.8bn in 2025, marking a 14.4% increase year on year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin disclosed the data on November 2 at the opening of the second Tianshan Forum for Central Asia Economic Cooperation in Almaty.

Zhumangarin said the main priorities for regional cooperation are expanding mutual trade, strengthening transport and logistics links, and attracting high-quality investment.

"Our shared goal is not only to increase trade volumes, but also to consistently remove barriers, simplify trade procedures, develop e-commerce, and expand entrepreneurs' access to the markets of neighboring countries," he said.

Kazakhstan is also seeking to boost the capacity of transport corridors, upgrade railway and road infrastructure, and advance multimodal transport. Zhumangarin stressed the importance of improving transport system compatibility, digitizing border procedures, and cutting cargo transit times to speed up cross-border shipments.

Kazakhstan's investments in other CAREC countries have surpassed $4bn. More than 28,000 enterprises from the region and over 2,500 joint ventures are registered in Kazakhstan.

Zhumangarin said investment cooperation should aim not only to raise capital inflows, but also to create new production facilities, bring in modern technologies, raise productivity, and produce goods with higher added value.

Kazakhstan is also looking to broaden cooperation with international financial institutions in transport and logistics, industry, agriculture, energy, and digital infrastructure.

Other regional priorities include the digitalization of trade and logistics, climate change, and the sustainable use of water resources.

The second Tianshan Forum, taking place on November 2–3 under the theme "Strengthening Resilient Connectivity and Quality Investment in Central Asia," is being organized by the CAREC Institute and Kazakhstan's Ministry of National Economy, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a strategic partner.

The forum is expected to gather up to 400 participants, including government representatives from CAREC member countries, international financial institutions, development organizations, businesses, and experts.

CAREC is a regional cooperation program made up of 10 countries: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mongolia, and Pakistan. It aims to promote cooperation in transport, trade, energy, and other fields.