A
new automobile manufacturing plant, KIA Qazaqstan, was launched today in
Kazakhstan. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inaugurated the facility during a
teleconference. Located in the Kostanai industrial zone, the plant will produce
up to 70,000 vehicles annually, with part of the output intended for export to
Central Asian countries and the Eurasian Economic Union.
«The Republic of Korea is a reliable
partner for Kazakhstan in Asia. We are interested in further deepening our
cooperation. Currently, over 800 Korean companies are successfully operating in
Kazakhstan. There is every reason to believe that the automotive industry is a
key area of mutually beneficial cooperation, and the opening of this unique
plant is clear evidence of this,» Tokayev said.
Tokayev
emphasized that the plant’s launch is an
important step in the development of Kazakhstan’s
mechanical engineering industry. Last year, investment in the sector exceeded
290 billion tenge, two and a half times more than in 2023.
«The positive trend continues: 178 billion tenge has already been invested in the industry since the beginning of this year. Investors are showing great interest in Kazakhstan. Large-scale measures led to significant progress. Last year, more than 145,000 vehicles were produced in the country. Automotive production facilities operate in Astana, Almaty, Semei, Oral, Kokshetau, Kostanai, and Saran,» Tokayev noted.
The
launch of KIA Qazaqstan will provide a powerful impetus for the technological
modernization of the entire industry. In the future, the plant plans to expand
production with new models, further integrating Kazakhstan into the global
automotive supply chain. The project will also have a multiplier effect on the
national economy: each of the 1,500 jobs created at the plant is expected to
generate an additional five to six jobs in logistics, services, and
infrastructure. The Head of State thanked KIA Corporation and its president Ho Sung
Song, awarding him the Order of Dostyk, second degree.
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