Astana hosted the "Republic of Kazakhstan – United States of America" Business Roundtable on June 30, bringing together government officials, business leaders, investors, and executives from major international companies to discuss the future of bilateral economic cooperation, DKNews.kz reports.
The event was organized by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan Atameken, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan.
Participants explored opportunities to deepen investment, expand technology cooperation, and develop joint manufacturing projects, reflecting a growing shift in Kazakhstan–US economic relations.
Leaders Highlight Strategic Partnership
Opening the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, Presidential Special Representative for Relations with the United States Yerzhan Kazykhan, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Deborah Robinson, Atameken Presidium Chairman Kanat Sharlapaev, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Khush Choksy addressed participants.
Sharlapaev noted that American companies were among the first strategic investors in independent Kazakhstan and continue to play an important role in the country's economic development.
He said bilateral cooperation is increasingly expanding beyond traditional trade into technology, innovation, and industrial localization.
Kazakhstan Promotes Better Investment Conditions
According to Sharlapaev, Kazakhstan remains focused on creating a transparent, predictable, and competitive environment for foreign investors.
Working together with the government, the country continues reforms aimed at:
- Improving tax administration
- Reducing administrative barriers
- Simplifying regulations
- Supporting long-term investment projects
He emphasized that these measures are designed to strengthen investor confidence and encourage new international partnerships.
New Growth Areas Identified
One of the central themes of the roundtable was identifying new sectors for Kazakhstan–US cooperation.
Priority areas discussed included:
- Critical minerals and rare earth metals
- Downstream processing industries
- Joint research and development centers
- The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route
- Port and logistics infrastructure
- Digital economy
- Artificial intelligence
- Fintech
- Development through the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)
Agriculture was also highlighted as an important area for future collaboration.
Kazakhstan invited American companies to participate in projects involving:
- Precision agriculture
- Advanced agricultural processing
- Manufacturing of modern agricultural machinery
- Irrigation technologies
Focus on Technology and Innovation
Sharlapaev stressed that Kazakhstan is looking beyond traditional foreign investment.
«We are interested not just in attracting capital, but in establishing advanced manufacturing facilities, transferring technology, driving innovation, and shaping new centers of economic growth. Kazakhstan aims to foster a partnership that generates long-term economic value for both nations»
The statement reflects Kazakhstan’s strategy of combining foreign investment with technology transfer and industrial development.
Global Companies Join Discussions
The business program featured government officials, executives from national companies, and representatives of major international corporations.
Participants discussed topics including:
- Investment cooperation
- Energy
- Transport and logistics
- Digital transformation
- Infrastructure
- Financial services
- Innovation
Among the organizations represented were:
- KazMunayGas
- Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ)
- Astana International Financial Centre
- Freedom Holding Corp.
- BI Group
- Investor Rights Protection Committee of the General Prosecutor's Office
An open panel discussion included representatives from leading global companies such as:
- Shell
- Chevron
- ExxonMobil
- Apple
- Mastercard
- Honeywell
- Johnson & Johnson
- Citi
- Baker Hughes
- Wabtec
- AVEVA
- Plug and Play
- Viasat
- Vertiv
- Dynamic Aviation
- Lummus Technology
- Hill International
- Herbalife
- Sheraton Astana Marriott International
- Resecurity
The discussion focused on Kazakhstan’s investment climate, high-tech manufacturing, digital transformation, and expanding the presence of American businesses in the country.
Strategic Memorandum Signed
One of the key outcomes of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership between the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan Atameken and the U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The memorandum is intended to:
- Strengthen business-to-business cooperation
- Support joint investment projects
- Expand institutional collaboration
- Promote new commercial partnerships
Participants expressed confidence that the agreement would create additional opportunities for trade, investment, technology exchange, and long-term economic cooperation.
Why This Matters
The business roundtable reflects the continued evolution of Kazakhstan–US economic relations from traditional investment toward technology-driven cooperation and industrial development.
With growing emphasis on critical minerals, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, both countries are seeking to build a broader strategic economic partnership capable of generating long-term value.
The signing of the new memorandum also provides an institutional framework for expanding collaboration between the business communities of Kazakhstan and the United States in the years ahead.
