Kazakhstan to Assign Prosecutors to Investors and Limit State Inspections

Kazakhstan is implementing new measures to strengthen investor protection, including assigning dedicated prosecutors to businesses and restricting inspections by state agencies. The announcement was made at an investment protection forum held at the General Prosecutor's Office.

The event brought together Kazakh and foreign investors, representatives from the Presidential Administration, the Government, the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament), the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken," as well as officials from the UN, OSCE, and the EU Ambassador. Regional governors, prosecutors, and business representatives joined via video link.

General Prosecutor Berik Asylov stated that protecting investments remains a key priority. He noted that Kazakhstan has signed 48 intergovernmental agreements on investment protection and that the prosecutor's office has already assisted two thousand investors, facilitating the launch of over 250 projects that created approximately 30,000 jobs.

Asylov highlighted that since December 2025, the functions of an investment ombudsman have been assigned to the General Prosecutor. A Committee for Investor Rights Protection has been established within the office, and investment prosecutors have been appointed in the regions.

"Every significant investment project in Kazakhstan will be under prosecutorial supervision. A specific prosecutor will be assigned to each investor," Asylov declared.

He detailed a new "prosecutorial filter" mechanism enshrined in law. According to this rule, state agencies cannot inspect an investor, suspend their activities, revoke licenses, or impose other restrictions without prior consent from a prosecutor.

"If a state body's decision or action is unlawful—we will cancel it, and guilty officials will be punished. If there are obstacles in legislation—they will also be eliminated," added Asylov.

The General Prosecutor instructed the newly formed committee to review subordinate legislation for both overt and hidden barriers to business.

Asylov also mentioned the role of the government's Investment Headquarters. Over two years, it has reviewed more than 200 projects worth over $100 billion, with the volume of investment agreements growing fifteenfold.

First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar reported on positive economic trends. Last year, GDP grew by 6.5%, foreign direct investment increased by 14.4% to $20.5 billion, and investments in fixed capital reached 22.7 trillion tenge ($approx). Kazakhstan also attracted about $19 billion into greenfield projects—roughly 89% of all intra-regional investments in Central Asia—and launched 330 projects worth over $10 billion last year.

"The country's investment climate directly depends on several key factors. For long-term business planning it is extremely important that 'the rules of the game' remain predictable and stable," Sklyar emphasized.

Chairman of "Atameken" Kanat Sharlapaev echoed this sentiment on stability being crucial for attracting capital. He also noted effective work by prosecutors: in 2025 compared to 2024 criminal cases against entrepreneurs decreased by almost 48%.