Kazakhstan entered the top 10
countries with high investment attractiveness, according to data released by
analysts from the international agency fDi Intelligence. They evaluated
macroeconomic indicators, the volume of attracted funds, and the directions of
foreign direct investment. Kazakhstan claimed the sixth spot in the ranking,
surpassing Azerbaijan, Morocco, Serbia, and India, with Cambodia leading the
list. The analysis covered countries in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and
Asia. Notably, analysts predict that the Asian region, with six countries
making it to the top 10, will be particularly appealing to major businesses.
Kazakhstan has the potential to enhance its position further, given its ongoing
efforts to refine investment policy, tax legislation, legal protection for
entrepreneurs, and the stability of its credit rating, acknowledged by
authoritative sources such as Fitch, Moody's, and Standard & Poor's. It is
noteworthy that Kazakhstan leads in foreign direct investment in Central Asia,
constituting 70 percent of foreign investments. In 2022, the volume of
investments in the country surged by almost 20 percent, reaching $28 billion.
“Here, it is essential to
highlight the traditional countries collaborating with Kazakhstan, including
the U.S., China, European Union member states, and other traditional partners
such as Turkey. Our cooperation with Egypt is evolving significantly, and there
are several potential projects, including those in the agro-industrial complex
and pharmaceuticals,” said Kazakh Invest Acting Chairman Zhandos Temirgali.
Overall, in 2023, there was a
significant increase in investment activity, as highlighted by representatives
from Kazakh Invest. Foreign businesses showed keen interest not only in the
traditional extractive sector but also processing industries, agribusiness,
petrochemicals, and logistics. An additional factor enhancing attractiveness to
foreign investors is Kazakhstan’s geographical location, particularly its
transportation routes linking Europe and Asia.