Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin highlighted these figures at the Tian Shan Central Asia Economic Cooperation Forum in Almaty. The regional partnership initiative encompasses ten participating countries.
What is the scale of Kazakhstan's trade and investment with CAREC nations?
According to the Ministry of National Economy, bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and CAREC member countries reached $8.8 billion in 2025, marking a 14.4% expansion. Foreign direct investment into Kazakhstan's economy has surpassed $30 billion since 2005.
Kazakhstan's outward investments into CAREC nations stand at over $4 billion. More than 28,000 companies from the region and over 2,500 joint ventures are officially registered in Kazakhstan.
What strategic priorities were outlined by the Deputy Prime Minister?
Zhumangarin underscored three core areas of cooperation: expanding reciprocal trade, advancing transport and logistics connectivity, and attracting high-quality investment capital. He stressed the importance of dismantling non-tariff barriers, streamlining customs procedures, fostering e-commerce, and helping local businesses enter neighbouring markets.
In transit and infrastructure, Kazakhstan is expanding corridor capacities, upgrading rail and road networks, and developing multimodal transit solutions. Ensuring technical compatibility, digitalising border clearances, and cutting cargo handling times remain key targets.
On the investment front, funding should prioritise new manufacturing capacity, technology transfers, labor productivity gains, and high-value-added production. Kazakhstan remains open to expanding partnerships with international financial institutions in transport, industry, agriculture, energy, and digital infrastructure.
Who organised the regional forum?
The event was organised by the CAREC Institute and Kazakhstan's Ministry of National Economy, with the Asian Development Bank participating as a strategic partner. Up to 400 attendees are expected, including government officials, development bank executives, and business leaders. The inaugural forum took place in Urumqi in December 2025, drawing over 300 participants.
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### Which countries are members of the CAREC Program?
According to the Ministry of National Economy, CAREC comprises ten member countries: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mongolia, and Pakistan.
### What was Kazakhstan's trade volume with CAREC partners?
According to the ministry, trade turnover reached $8.8 billion in 2025, representing an increase of 14.4%.
### How much foreign direct investment has flowed into Kazakhstan?
According to official figures, cumulative FDI into Kazakhstan's economy exceeded $30 billion since 2005.
### When and where was the forum hosted?
The forum was held in Almaty on 2–3 November.
### Is this news related to China?
Indirectly. China is a founding CAREC member, and the inaugural forum was held in Urumqi. The reported trade and investment figures are regional aggregates without country-by-country breakdowns, and no further inferences are made in this article.
Related reading
- More industry and policy updates: Kazakhstan investment and project news
- Foreign trade data: Kazakhstan foreign trade data for January–August
- Trans-Caspian corridor: Trans-Caspian corridor container transit over eight months
- Setting up a project company: Company registration in Kazakhstan
Sources
- Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (gov.kz), 2 November: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/economy/press/news/details/1321981?lang=ru
Illustration: AI-generated, not a real photograph.