Projects and jobs inside Kazakhstan’s 16 special economic zones in 2025
Kazakhstan’s 16 special economic zones (SEZ) with tax incentives, simplified customs procedures and ready industrial sites play a central role in the country’s investment strategy.
The law on special economic and industrial zones adopted in 2019, the Tax Code, Customs Code, and Land Code regulate the SEZ framework. Corporate tax exemptions, property and land tax relief, zero VAT on qualifying goods, simplified hiring procedures, and duty-free customs treatment are included in their benefits.
The production of rolling stock, electronics, armored vehicles, furniture, construction materials, and precision instruments is supported by Astana – New City, active from 2002 to 2027.
Another one is Saryarka, active from 2011 to 2036 in Karagandy, developing metallurgy, machinery, electronics, chemicals, and construction materials.
Pavlodar, running over the same period, is responsible for chemical and metallurgical production.
They established Ontustik in 2005, operating through 2030 in Shymkent, focusing on cotton processing, textiles, chemicals, and high-tech industries. The targets of the National Industrial Petrochemical Technopark in Atyrau, active from 2007 to 2049, are high-tech petrochemical production, hydrocarbon processing, research, and workforce training.
The Caspian Hub, a 19-hectare container terminal developed with Lianyungang Port Group, and the Sarzha maritime terminal at the Kuryk port are included in the Aktau Sea Port, operating from 2003 to 2052.
64 companies are functioning in Khorgos – Eastern Gate, operating from 2011 to 2036.
41 projects worth 234.4 billion tenge (US$454 million) are supported by the Khorgos International Center for Border Cooperation, active from 2017 to 2041.
Chemical production and industrial diversification are in the focus of Jibek Joly, operating from 2012 to 2037 in the Zhambyl Region.
In 2003 they launched the Park of Innovative Technologies in Almaty. Information and communication technologies, electronics, renewable energy, advanced materials, and telecommunications are its targets. IT, electronics, bioengineering, telecommunications, renewable energy, and advanced materials, and supports startups and research commercialization are the specializations of Alatau.
Industrial innovation and research, are integrated by Astana – Technopolis, active from 2017 through 2043, in partnership with Nazarbayev University.
Industrial, administrative, historical, and airport subzones are comprised in Turan (2018–2043) in Turkistan. Projects in polyvinyl chloride production, drip irrigation systems, and agricultural processing take place in its Central Asia International Center for Industrial Cooperation subzone.
The Special State Fund for expansion invested 9.6 billion tenge (US$18.6 million) in Qyzyljar (2019–2044) in Petropavlovsk.
Manufacturing, logistics, agricultural processing, chemicals, light industries, automotive components, and renewable energy are in the focus of Aktobe (2025–2049). Textiles, leather, machinery, electronics, paper, pharmaceuticals, metal production, logistics, and infrastructure construction are supported by Korkyt Ata (2025–2050) in the Kyzylorda Region.
Nevertheless, there are some difficulties. One of them is infrastructure development.
To solve this problem, Kazakhstan is negotiating with financial institutions and preparing legislative amendments to improve SEZ management and investment procedures.
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