20.05.2025, 17:39 57336

Olzhas Bektenov discusses construction factory in Almaty region with David Manzini, head of PepsiCo: investment volume to increase twice

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with David Manzini, President of PepsiCo for the Russia, Belarus, Caucasus, and Central Asia region. The discussion focused on the implementation of a project to build a snack production plant in the Almaty region, primeminister.kz reports.

The new PepsiCo plant will become the largest in Central Asia. Following previous negotiations in June 2024, the investment amount was initially planned at $160 million. As of today, the company has decided to more than double its investment. The production capacity and potato processing volume will triple-from 70,000 to 210,000 tons-ensuring the output of approximately 70,000 tons of finished products annually. Around 900 jobs will be created at the facility. David Manzini announced that the first phase of the project and the release of the first batch of Kazakhstani products are scheduled for March 2026, with the plant expected to reach full capacity by September 2027.

The project will utilize local raw materials-Kazakhstani farms will supply potatoes. PepsiCo plans to achieve full localization of chip potato cultivation by 2035. Currently, about 15 farms from the Pavlodar, Akmola, Karaganda, Almaty, and Zhetysu regions are participating in the program. The project also includes expanding raw material storage facilities and developing scientific approaches to improve crop yields and product quality.

We will fully support such projects aimed at producing high value-added finished products. Government agencies will make all necessary decisions within two weeks," Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.


We greatly appreciate the support from Kazakhstan’s authorities. As a foreign investor, we’ve been provided with favorable conditions and the necessary assistance. We see great potential here, which is why we’ve decided to double our investment in Kazakhstan," David Manzini noted.


Following the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was tasked with preparing an Investment Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and PepsiCo within two weeks. In the same period, the Ministry of Agriculture will introduce necessary amendments to the Subsidy Rules to reimburse part of the expenses incurred by agribusiness entities on investment projects, ensuring the most comfortable conditions for the investor.
 

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21.12.2025, 17:00 27206

Tokayev arrives in Saint Petersburg  

Tokayev arrives in Saint Petersburg
Images | Akorda
Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov and Governor of Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko welcomed the Kazakh President at the Pulkovo International Airport, Qazinform News Agency learned from the Akorda press service.


Previously we reported that on December 21-22, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is set to visit Saint Petersburg, Russia, to participate in a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and an informal meeting of the CIS Heads of State.
 

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20.12.2025, 19:21 66936

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Participates in the Central Asia–Japan Business Forum

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Participates in the Central Asia–Japan Business Forum
Images | akorda.kz
Alongside the President of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also took part in the event, akorda.kz reports.

The business forum featured sessions on topics such as "Green and Resilience", "Digital Transformation and Connectivity", "Finance, Human Resources, and Social System Development for Business" as well as meetings between business representatives from Central Asia and Japan.

As a result of the official visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the Central Asia–Japan Business Forum, more than 60 documents were signed, totaling $3.72 billion between Kazakhstan and Japanese business entities.


 

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20.12.2025, 17:10 68326

Ambassador of Kazakhstan Presents Credentials to the President of the United States

Ambassador of Kazakhstan Presents Credentials to the President of the United States
Images | gov.kz
Ambassador of Kazakhstan Presents Credentials to the President of the United States, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.


Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Magzhan Ilyassov, presented his credentials to the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, during a formal ceremony at the White House," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

 

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20.12.2025, 11:20 68026

Tokayev Addresses the First Central Asia-Japan Dialogue Summit  

Tokayev Addresses the First Central Asia-Japan Dialogue Summit
Images | akorda.kz
In his address, the Head of State expressed gratitude to Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi for the initiative to convene today’s historic meeting and for the warm hospitality, akorda.kz reports.

Hosting such an important forum in Tokyo, a global metropolis renowned for its high level of development, is an event of great significance for Kazakhstan and, I believe, for the whole of Central Asia. It is symbolic that Japan, represented by former Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, initiated the establishment of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue. The first meeting at the level of foreign ministers was held in Astana in 2004. This event served as an example for launching similar Central Asia platforms with other major countries," - the President of Kazakhstan stated.


akorda.kz

In his view, such summits demonstrate the strengthening of Central Asia’s international agency and its significant role in global processes.

The Kazakh people have always held the history, traditions, and culture of the Japanese people in deep respect. Japanese philosophy is grounded in the values of harmony, restraint, and wisdom, which resonate with the Kazakh people. As early as the 7th century, Prince Shōtoku spoke of harmony as the highest value, calling for unity and cooperation. Japan has entered the historic Reiwa era - the ‘Era of Beautiful Harmony.’ Today’s relations between Japan and the countries of Central Asia are rooted in the distant past when our peoples were united by the Great Silk Road," - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.


The Head of State highlighted Japan's economic successes, which consistently place it at the forefront of scientific, technical, and technological progress, as well as the dynamic development of the Central Asian region, with vast potential for comprehensive international cooperation

The President expressed Kazakhstan's readiness to create the necessary conditions and ensure a favorable investment climate for the successful implementation of joint projects with Japan.

In this context, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shared his vision for promising areas of Kazakh-Japanese cooperation.

During the President of Kazakhstan’s visit to Japan, more than 60 bilateral documents were signed, with a total value exceeding $3.7 billion

First and foremost, greater efforts are needed to intensify trade, economic and investment ties. Last year, bilateral trade reached approximately $2 billion. Kazakhstan supplies the Japanese market with uranium, rare earth metals, as well as oil. Japan has become one of the major investors in Kazakhstan’s economy, with total investments exceeding $8.5 billion. For many years, Kazakhstan has successfully cooperated with leading Japanese corporations and actively supports the activities of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises in our country. I am confident that the outcomes of the Central Asia-Japan Business Forum will help strengthen B2B contacts and lead to concrete agreements on the implementation of new investment projects. As part of my visit to Japan, more than 60 bilateral documents, including commercial agreements totaling over $3.7 billion, have been signed.
 

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19.12.2025, 21:32 100091

Kazakhstan and UNDP discuss strengthening cooperation and plans for 2026

Kazakhstan and UNDP discuss strengthening cooperation and plans for 2026
Images | gov.kz
Yerzhan Ashikbayev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, met with Katarzyna Wawiernia, the UNDP Permanent Representative in Kazakhstan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The parties discussed the cooperation outcomes in 2025 and outlined the plans for further engagement between Kazakhstan and UNDP.

In particular, they highlighted the adoption of the UNDP Country Programme for Kazakhstan for 2026-2030, the successful presentation of Kazakhstan’s third Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the SDGs at the UN Headquarters in New York in July, as well as the results of cooperation in the fields of healthcare, gender equality, education and others.

The meeting also addressed prospects for expanding cooperation with UNDP through the newly established UN Regional SDG Centre for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, as well as opportunities to scale up the UNDP Regional Development Programme to other regions of the country.

Issues related to climate change, ecology and water resource management, including challenges linked to the Aral Sea, also became an important topic of the discussions ahead of the Regional Environmental Summit scheduled for April. In this context, UNDP representatives announced plans to organize a High-Level Event on the margins of the Summit dedicated to the formation of a regional portfolio of climate and environmental investments for Central Asia.

In addition, the parties discussed UNDP’s participation in activities planned for 2026, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, which officially launched in December at the UN Headquarters in New York.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued joint efforts aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership, advancing priority areas of cooperation, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
 

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19.12.2025, 15:56 100346

Kazakhstan and North Macedonia Discussed Prospects for Investment, Trade and Economic Cooperation

Kazakhstan and North Macedonia Discussed Prospects for Investment, Trade and Economic Cooperation
Images | gov.kz
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to North Macedonia Satybaldy Burshakov met with the Director of Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, Refik Xhemaili, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The Kazakh Ambassador briefed the Macedonian side with the political and economic reforms consistently implemented in our country by the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and also informed about the main provisions of the President's State-to-the-Nation Address. Burshakov noted that the conceptual framework of the new Address was the idea of deep digital transformation of the country, diversification and digitalization of the economy, the development of artificial intelligence.

At the meeting, important agreements were emphasized during the working visits of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mutsunski to Astana in May-June of this year. First of all, it is the creation of a business council, the holding of a business forum, and the expansion of bilateral trade.

Having reviewed with interest the Embassy's presentation on attracting foreign investment to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Agency's leadership expressed readiness to assist in promoting the mutually agreed high-level arrangements in the sphere of trade and economic cooperation.
 

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19.12.2025, 12:04 99331

President Meets with Chairman & CEO of Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security

During the meeting, the prospects for expanding cooperation in geological exploration, extraction and processing of critical minerals, as well as sustainable management of natural resources, were discussed, akorda.kz reports.

The Head of State noted JOGMEC’s strong interest in implementing projects in Kazakhstan. The parties also considered the possibility of expanding the organization’s participation in geological exploration projects in Kazakhstan, including the potential opening of a JOGMEC representative office.

According to the President Tokayev, this would contribute to more effective coordination of joint projects and increased engagement of Japanese industrial and technological companies in the Kazakh market.

JOGMEC is a central Japanese government institute tasked with ensuring stable supplies of energy and mineral resources, including oil, gas, hydrogen, ammonia and rare earth metals.
 

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19.12.2025, 10:15 99856

President Holds Meeting with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike, akorda.kz reports.

The interlocutors discussed cooperation in the fields of digitalization, smart city technologies, artificial intelligence, sustainable urban development, as well as the introduction of innovative solutions in city governance. Particular attention was paid to creating a more comfortable, environmentally friendly, safe and inclusive environment for residents and visitors of major metropolitan areas.

In the presence of the President, Akim (Mayor) of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek and Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Japan.

The Head of State emphasized that he sees significant potential in cooperation between the two capitals in integrating artificial intelligence into urban management.

During the meeting, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was presented with Tokyo’s Smart City concept, which envisages the use of advanced technologies to improve quality of life, enhance governance efficiency and ensure sustainable development.

The President also visited Tokyo’s Emergency Situation Center, which serves as the core element of the city’s civil protection and crisis management system. The center’s primary mission is to ensure continuous monitoring of the situation and coordination of government agencies during emergencies, as well as to analyze data on potential and ongoing disasters, including earthquakes, typhoons, floods, major technological accidents and terrorist attacks.

Considerable attention is paid to countering the spread of disinformation in the media and on social networks. This task is handled by a dedicated unit that conducts round-the-clock monitoring. In peacetime, the center focuses on planning and improving the crisis management system, developing regional civil protection plans, organizing and conducting drills, and expanding information resources aimed at disaster prevention and mitigation for the population.
 

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