Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited Chinese technology enterprises to expand their presence in Kazakhstan. This was during a roundtable with Chinese business leaders in Shanghai on Thursday, 16 July ’26. Tokayev was presenting the country as an emerging hub for artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and smart logistics besides high-tech manufacturing.
Speaking ahead of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), Tokayev said Kazakhstan intends to build long-term partnerships that go beyond capital investment. That’s to include technology transfer and research as well as innovation, as reported by Akorda.
Investment strategy at the centre of AI infrastructure
Positioning AI as a key engine of Kazakhstan’s future economic growth, Tokayev outlined several flagship projects designed to attract global technology enterprises.
Among them is Data Centre Valley in Ekibastuz. It’s described as a strategic initiative targeted at becoming the backbone of Kazakhstan’s, besides Central Asia’s, digital infrastructure. The project may provide ready-to-use sites for hyperscale data centres and cloud computing besides AI infrastructure under a special investment regime supported by stable energy supplies.
Tokayev said that the vision extends beyond developing data centres. It brings together supercomputing capacity, AI laboratories, research institutions, educational programmes, and startups, besides export-orientated digital services, into a single innovation ecosystem.
President Tokayev also highlighted the development of Alatau. That’s a new city being built under a Digital by Default concept. Intended as a smart city, Alatau may feature intelligent transport systems, digital payments, and energy-efficient infrastructure as well as a regulatory framework supporting blockchain and tokenisation besides digital assets. Investors may also be able to operate within the legal ecosystem of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).
Tokayev added that he was confident that Alatau could become a new centre for talent and technology, as well as a future investment hub in Eurasia.
Trade expansion & industrial cooperation
Tokayev said that the strong political relationship between Kazakhstan & China has laid the foundation for expanding economic cooperation, noting that bilateral trade reached a record USD 49 billion last year. This occurred while cumulative Chinese investment in Kazakhstan had exceeded USD 30 billion.
According to Tokayev, more than 8,500 enterprises with Chinese participation now operate in Kazakhstan. This includes major organisations such as CNPC and CITIC besides Huawei.
Tokayev went on to add that Kazakhstan highly appreciates the significant contributions of Chinese businesses to the modernisation of its economy. In recent times, the two countries have successfully implemented numerous important joint projects. Due to this, Kazakhstan has created jobs and introduced advanced technologies, besides strengthening its cooperation in the industrial sector.
He highlighted several ongoing industrial projects. That included a major gas chemical complex with Sinopec. Furthermore, a corn deep-processing plant with the Fufeng Group and a cotton-textile cluster with the Lithua Group are planned. The initiative also includes the expansion of Chinese automotive production in Kazakhstan, which involves brands such as HOWO, Yutong, JAC, Changan, Great Wall Motor, and Chery.
According to Tokayev, these projects demonstrate bilateral cooperation. Tokayev stated that these projects indicate a growing focus on innovation and advanced manufacturing in bilateral cooperation, in addition to industrial modernisation. Tokayev stated that these projects indicate a growing focus on innovation and advanced manufacturing, in addition to industrial modernisation.
Smart logistics
Tokayev also called for closer cooperation in transport besides logistics. He added that Kazakhstan intends to become the principal land bridge connecting China with Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East besides Europe.
He noted that approximately 85% of rail freight moving between China & Europe passes through Kazakhstan. This is while Kazakhstan has invested more than USD 35 billion in transport & logistics infrastructure over the past 15 years.
In short, Kazakhstan must create space where goods can cross borders as quickly & efficiently as data can be transmitted over a digital network. Tokayev was of the belief that Kazakhstan & China may work together in establishing new global standards. This may improve the efficiency of international trade.
Tokayev also highlighted that Kazakhstan is developing Smart Cargo. That’s a unified digital platform that integrates customs and logistics besides commercial services into a single ecosystem designed to create a seamless Eurasian transport corridor.
