The agro-industrial sector of Kazakhstan is a promising platform for attracting foreign investments. Today, within the framework of the round table “Agro-industry: ensuring food security on the new Silk Road” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Umirzak Shukeyev spoke about the main advantages of investing in the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan.

Firstly, it is the availability of natural pastures - 180 million hectares, the current load for which is only 25-30%. At the same time, there are water resources for irrigation an additional two million hectares for stable cultivation of fodder in the crop rotation system. 

Secondly, this is the availability of labor resources, since 45% of Kazakhstan’s population lives in rural areas.

Thirdly, to support investment activities, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has developed a special tax and customs regime, including exemption from corporate tax for a period of up to 10 years, exemption from payment of property tax for up to 8 years, exemption from customs duties on imported equipment and raw materials. 

Fourthly, it is necessary to separately note the possibility of producing organic products, which has an increased cost and is in demand on world markets. This advantage is due, above all, to the historically low level of the use of mineral fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides on our lands.

“We have developed a regulatory framework for the creation of a full-fledged organic production system in Kazakhstan - a law and all by-laws have been developed, at the moment, work is under way to create a certification system, as well as training farmers” – said Shukeyev.  

And fifthly, state support.

The vice-premier recalled that Kazakhstan has developed a state program for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2017-2021, mechanisms of which are available to both Kazakhstani and foreign investors.  

“In addition to the State Program of the Agro-Industrial Complex, a number of other government programs are being implemented in Kazakhstan aimed at infrastructure development of projects, including the Business Roadmap 2020 program, the state program for infrastructure development of “Nurly Zhol”, and the program for industrial and innovative development, which is the creation of new export-oriented high-tech industries” – said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.  

Sixthly, he continued, these are export opportunities for investors.

“Kazakhstan is located in the heart of Eurasia, between Europe and China. Due to its location, a number of large infrastructure projects are being developed in Kazakhstan: the dry port of Khorgos on the border with China, the Aktau port on the Caspian Sea, the international transit corridor “Western Europe - Western China”. Moreover, Kazakhstan’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union with a market capacity of about 180 million people opens additional opportunities for investors to effectively implement investment projects on the territory of the republic. Investors can freely promote their products to the markets of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia” – concluded U. Shukeyev. 

Information: 
The Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR) is an exclusive gathering of representatives who have arrived by invitation from approximately 600 organizations, namely, a meeting of international and Kazakhstan commercial and financial executives, investors, opinion leaders and representatives of international media. This forum was convened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev, with the participation of key government officials responsible for economic development.