Investment Potential of Mechanical Engineering: The 13th Forum of Mechanical Engineers of Kazakhstan Opens
The opening of one of the leading events in the industry – the 13th Forum of Mechanical Engineers of Kazakhstan – took place.
Panel sessions and breakout sessions were held on the sidelines of the event, discussing key industry and strategic issues, including industry modernization, the implementation of the Comprehensive Mechanical Engineering Plan, Kazakhstan's investment potential and industrial robotics.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov spoke at the session dedicated to the comprehensive plan for the development of mechanical engineering.
The session was attended by Vice Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Saparbekov, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Asset Nusupov, Vice Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Kasenov, Chairman of the Board of JSC "Research and Development Holding "Baiterek" Rustam Karagoishin, and General Director of LLP "Karlskrona LC AB" Talgat Alpysbayev. Majilis Deputy Azat Peruashev moderated.
Olzhas Saparbekov emphasized that mechanical engineering remains a key driver of the economy, accounting for approximately 20% of the manufacturing industry.
During the discussion, it was noted that Kazakhstan is consistently implementing a policy to attract investment in the manufacturing industry. Government support measures, including tax breaks, incentives, and the development of industrial zones, are contributing to the growth of capital investment.
"Over the past 20 years, more than $4.2 billion has been invested in Kazakhstan's mechanical engineering. Moreover, a third of this investment occurred in just the last five years, from 2020 to 2024. This clearly demonstrates the growing interest of investors in the industry. The largest volume of investment was directed to the machinery and equipment manufacturing sector – almost 47% of the total investment in mechanical engineering over the past five years," emphasized Alibek Kuantyrov.
"Long-term benefits are achieved not only through financial investments but also through the development of the technological base." "It's important to attract technologies and partners willing to collaborate," said Azat Peruashev.
According to Alibek Kuantyrov, Kazakhstan actively collaborates with investors and companies from Germany, China, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, France, and other countries. Today, joint projects cover a wide range of areas: from railway and agricultural engineering to vehicle assembly, component localization, production automation, and engineering analysis.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in close cooperation with KAZAKH INVEST National Company, provides comprehensive support to investors: on concluding investment agreements, finding reliable local partners, technology transfer, and promoting products to export markets. However, we don't limit ourselves to project support. Our goal is to create sustainable ecosystems for industrial growth," the Deputy Minister concluded.
A panel session on the forum's sidelines, titled "Kazakhstan's Investment Potential and the Role of Foreign Partners in the Development of the Mechanical Engineering Industry," was held with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Madiyar Sultanbek, Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC NC KAZAKH INVEST, moderated the session.
Alibek Kuantyrov emphasized Kazakhstan's role in the supply of high-tech goods thanks to its developed logistics and infrastructure, which allows international companies to diversify their routes in the current geopolitical environment.
"Kazakhstan offers not only a domestic market and favorable geography, but also an established industrial ecosystem in which new production facilities can be located, components localized, and long-term cooperation established. It should be noted that by the end of 2025, gross FDI inflow into Kazakhstan amounted to $20.5 billion, a 14.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024," the Deputy Minister said.
In recent years, a distinct industrial cluster has emerged in the country. Major manufacturers include Allur, Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan, Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan, SaryarkaAvtoProm, Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty, Electric Locomotive Assembly Plant (jointly with Alstom), ZIKSTO, Kazakhstan Engineering, AgromashHolding KZ, and others. In the agricultural machinery sector, a range of equipment is manufactured in partnership with international companies CLAAS, Rostselmash, and the Minsk Tractor Plant.
"Such projects are particularly important because they operate on several dimensions: they create jobs, ensure technology transfer, deepen localization, generate demand for related industries, and enhance the sustainability of the national industrial base," noted Alibek Kuantyrov.
The forum, which runs for two days, brings together over 1,000 participants, including over 100 international delegates from more than 20 countries. The event also includes the 7th international exhibition, Kazakhstan Machinery Fair 2026, bringing together over 280 companies from 24 countries.
