The government signed Resolution No. 495 on 1 July 2025, creating the Khorgos – Eastern Gate SEZ and approving its regulations and target indicators. It applies from the day of signing, and the regulations on Adilet describe a logistics-type zone in Zhetysu Region.
The total area is 5,431.5 hectares. The Astana Times lists three functional areas, an airport zone of 840 hectares, a logistics zone of 483.4 and an industrial zone of 230.4. Together they come to about 1,554 hectares, and the report does not say what the rest of the territory is for.
Targets are set for two milestones. By 2030, KZT 522.7 billion of investment (about USD 1 billion), 85 resident companies, 20,500 jobs and 75% local content. By 2035, KZT 715.5 billion (about USD 1.3 billion), 95 companies, 22,000 jobs and 85% local content. The foreign-investment line in the plan is small, KZT 10.2 billion by 2030 (about USD 19.6 million) and KZT 15.5 billion by 2035 (about USD 29.8 million), under 3% of the total, so the plan leans mostly on domestic money. The resolution also sets the legal regime, tax procedure, customs regulation and operating conditions in the zone, though the report gives no detail.
Rules related to this news
Chinese companies should read one provision of the law in advance. Article 18(2) of the Law on Special Economic and Industrial Zones (No. 242-VI of 3 April 2019) says that in a zone whose boundaries fully or partly coincide with sections of the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union, foreign individuals and legal entities are not among those who may apply to become participants. Whether Khorgos – Eastern Gate falls into that category is not stated in the report, and we have not verified it. So before investing, ask the management company whether a foreign company can enter in its own name or only through a locally registered entity.
Source: The Astana Times (4 July 2025), https://astanatimes.com/2025/07/kazakhstan-creates-khorgos-eastern-gate-new-special-economic-zone/
Government Resolution No. 495 (Adilet), https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/P2500000495
Law on Special Economic and Industrial Zones (Adilet), https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z1900000242
Key facts
- On July 1, 2025, the Government of Kazakhstan approved the establishment of the “Khorgos–Eastern Gate” special economic zone by Resolution No. 495.
- The “Khorgos–Eastern Gate” special economic zone is located in Jetisu Region, is a logistics-type zone, and has a total area of 5,431.5 hectares.
- The Astana Times lists three functional zones of the special economic zone: airport zone 840 hectares, logistics zone 483.4 hectares, and industrial zone 230.4 hectares.
- The special economic zone plans cumulative investment of 522.7 billion tenge by 2030, 85 resident enterprises, 20,500 jobs, and 75% local content.
- The special economic zone plans cumulative investment of 715.5 billion tenge by 2035, 95 resident enterprises, 22,000 jobs, and 85% local content.
- Article 18, paragraph 2 of the Law on Special and Industrial Zones stipulates that special economic zones whose borders coincide with the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union do not accept applications from foreign natural persons and foreign legal entities.
FAQ
Where is the “Khorgos–Eastern Gate” special economic zone located, and what type is it?
The special economic zone is located in Jetisu Region, Kazakhstan; it is a logistics-type zone with a total area of 5,431.5 hectares.
What are the target indicators of this special economic zone?
By 2030, planned cumulative investment of 522.7 billion tenge, 85 resident enterprises, 20,500 jobs, and 75% local content; by 2035, cumulative investment of 715.5 billion tenge, 95 resident enterprises, 22,000 jobs, and 85% local content.
Can Chinese enterprises enter this special economic zone as applicants?
The Law on Special and Industrial Zones stipulates that in special economic zones whose borders wholly or partly coincide with the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union, foreign natural persons and foreign legal entities are not among the persons who may apply to become participants. The report does not state whether this special economic zone falls into this category; before investing, one should first confirm with the special economic zone’s management authority.
Where do the planned funds for the special economic zone mainly come from?
The planned foreign investment figure is very small: 10.2 billion tenge in 2030 and 15.5 billion tenge in 2035, less than 3% of total investment; the plan relies mainly on domestic funds.
What document approved this special economic zone, and when did it take effect?
It was approved for establishment by Resolution No. 495 of the Government of Kazakhstan dated July 1, 2025; the resolution took effect on the date of signing, and the special economic zone regulations and target indicators were adopted at the same time.