Kazakhstan Secures Major Deals with Boeing, Mars After President's US Visit

The recent working visit of Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the United States has yielded concrete results, focusing on long-term investments, production localization, and integrating the nation into global value chains.

A significant outcome was an investment agreement worth approximately $180 million between Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture and Mars, Incorporated. The corporation plans to construct a pet food production plant in the new city of Alatau. This facility will focus on deep processing of local agricultural raw materials, enabling the country to manufacture high-value-added products for export.

Paul Weirauch, General Director of Mars, stated that the Kazakh enterprise will serve as a base for expanding the company's presence in Central Asia and neighboring regions.

Separate negotiations were dedicated to healthcare. Discussions with Ashmore Group centered on a proposal to build an international clinic in partnership with Ashmore Healthcare International and Samruk-Kazyna Invest, with Mount Sinai Health System potentially acting as the operator. This initiative aligns with Kazakhstan's strategy for developing medical infrastructure and medical tourism.

Aviation was another key component of the visit. During a meeting with Boeing executives, President Tokayev confirmed the interest of Kazakh carriers Air Astana, SCAT Airlines, and VietJet Kazakhstan in expanding cooperation. Air Astana expects to receive Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the second half of 2026, which could pave the way for launching direct flights between Kazakhstan and the US. The airline is also considering acquiring additional aircraft and establishing its first maintenance and repair center at Shymkent Airport in partnership with an American company.

The visit concluded with talks involving the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Its CEO Ben Black stated that Washington views Kazakhstan as a key partner in Eurasia. Discussions focused on projects in the mining sector and developing transport and transit infrastructure crucial for regional trade.

According to UNCTAD's 2025 World Investment Report, Kazakhstan holds a dominant position by volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Central Asia. In 2024, FDI attracted into Kazakhstan amounted to about $151 billion—significantly exceeding figures for Turkmenistan ($45 billion), Uzbekistan ($17 billion), Kyrgyzstan ($4 billion), and Tajikistan ($4 billion).

The negotiations indicate that Kazakhstan is focused on building long-term institutional partnerships rather than one-off deals, aiming to assure international investors of market stability and openness.