Kazakhstan is set to launch 180 new projects by the end of 2024, with an estimated investment of 1.4 trillion tenge (US$2.9 billion), creating approximately 17,400 new jobs, according to the Prime Minister’s press service on July 24. These projects are expected to produce goods valued at nearly 1.8 trillion tenge (US$3.7 billion), including 400 billion tenge (US$843 million) for export and 1.4 trillion tenge (US$2.9 billion) for import substitution.
Key projects include the EkibastuzFerroAlloys plant in the Pavlodar Region, which will create 800 jobs with a 92.4 billion tenge (US$194 million) investment, producing 240,000 tons of ferrosilicon annually. In the Kostanay Region, a factory will produce cast iron components for trucks, providing 360 jobs with a 78.2 billion tenge (US$164 million)investment and an annual capacity of 45,000 tons.
The Zhetysu Wolfram company will develop the Boguty tungsten ore deposit in the Almaty Region, investing 135 billion tenge (US$284 million) to create 350 jobs and achieve an annual production of 3.3 million tons of ore and 10,000 tons of concentrate.
In the Almaty Region, a factory will produce thermal insulation materials, offering 220 jobs with a 43.9 billion tenge (US$92.6 million) investment, producing 1.4 million cubic meters of rock wool and 400,000 cubic meters of polymer insulation annually. Another facility will manufacture springs for rolling stock, creating 51 jobs with a 1.1 billion tenge (US$2.3 million) investment and an annual capacity of 298,500 springs.
Kazakhstan’s metallurgical production grew by 54.2% in the first five months of 2024, driven by increased output of ferroalloys, raw aluminum, raw lead, and refined copper. The country remains a major exporter of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, with exports rising by 8.3% to $4.7 billion in the first four months of 2024. The government has introduced new regulations for scrap metal collection and processing, including a ban on exporting ferrous scrap and non-ferrous metal waste.
The chemical industry saw investments reach 68.4 billion tenge (US$144 million) from January to May 2024, with new projects in technical silicon, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid nitrogen production. Nine new small enterprises opened, focusing on regions like Pavlodar and Zhambyl.
In the coal industry, a new government decree has granted exclusive licenses to coal mining and processing enterprises, aiming to meet domestic coal needs, particularly for the heating season.
Kazakhstan’s non-ferrous metallurgy sector has strengthened international cooperation, with agreements signed with China and South Korea. The machinery industry saw significant investment and modernization, with industrial production reaching 814.4 billion tenge (US$1.7 billion) in the first half of 2024.
The building materials and furniture industries also experienced growth, with regulations supporting local producers. The light industry saw a significant rise in production and exports, with investments in clothing and leather production increasing notably.
