In 2025, the combined GDP of the countries of Central Asia approached $550 billion, while their growth rate exceeded 6% – almost twice the global average. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about new opportunities for economic development in the region at the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Business Summit held in Seoul. According to the Head of State, the region’s investment appeal is based on strong trade ties and transport potential. Combining these advantages with Korea’s technological and financial capabilities opens up broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. Kazakhstan is ready to work together in this direction. Today, the country accounts for nearly 70% of foreign direct investment in the region.
«The Government of Kazakhstan will provide comprehensive support to Korean businesses to ensure the effective implementation of joint projects. To this end, a Comprehensive Program for Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Korea for 2027-2030 will be developed. I would also like to emphasize that we are consistently improving the investment climate and creating the most favorable conditions for foreign investors. One important step in this direction was the introduction of the Altyn Visa programme,» President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed strengthening cooperation in critical materials and establishing a pool of full-cycle investment projects covering geological exploration, mining, and deep processing of minerals and rare earth metals. The portfolio of proposals for Korean businesses will also include projects in transport and logistics. The President also pointed to significant opportunities for strengthening cooperation in AI and digital technologies.
«We are implementing a number of flagship initiatives, including the construction of a Data Centre Valley with a capacity of one gigawatt. We are also strengthening our human capital and research capacity. The country’s first specialized university, Qazaq AI Research University, has begun its work. To take our technological partnership to a qualitatively new level, we propose establishing a Central Asia – Korea Advanced Technology Centre, potentially based at Alem.ai, unless there are other views,» President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev added.
The Head of State noted that, Kazakhstan harvested a record grain crop of around 27 million tonnes last year. Today, the country exports agricultural products worth $7 billion to more than 70 countries. President Tokayev proposed combining Kazakhstan’s advantages – its extensive land resources – with Korea’s technologies to establish a joint food industry cluster targeting international markets. This would not only benefit Korean businesses, but also generate a genuine multiplier effect for the entire Central Asian region. The President once again emphasized that the region’s economic success is inseparable from the sustainable development of each of the five countries. And deepening cooperation with the Republic of Korea, one of the world’s technological and economic leaders, will only contribute to unlocking Central Asia’s potential.
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