Zhambyl Region's Economic Boom: A Look at the Big Money, Big Projects, and International Partnerships
Increased Investment Activity in Zhambyl Region: Momentum Accelerates by 37.1%
It's a brand new chapter for the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan as they kick off a fresh investment cycle, thanks to orders from the head honcho himself. This latest wave of investment sees a focus on vital economic sectors like agro-industry, renewable energy, metallurgy, chemical, processing, machine building, and infrastructure development.
In the first quarter of 2025, the region caught the eye of investors to the tune of 120.5 billion tenge - a whopping 37.1% increase compared to the same period last year!
The Zhambyl region's investment portfolio is bursting at the seams, boasting no less than 82 projects with a whopping total cost of 3.6 trillion tenge. When these bad boys hit the ground running, they're projected to create an insane 10,000 jobs for hardworking locals!
The investment action doesn't stop there... in 2025, a further 30 projects worth 175.2 billion tenge are set to break ground, which should create around 1,500 more jobs.
Some of the heavyweight companies stepping up to the plate and putting their money where their mouth is include EuroChem (producing mineral fertilizers), Qazaq Soda (pumping out caustic soda), Altynalmas Reagents (cranking out sodium cyanide), Shokpar - Gagarin (gold mining), and Shagala Mining (copper mining).
But it's not just the local boys getting in on the action... join forces with Total Eren (France) and Masdar (UAE) have beefed up the region's green energy initiatives by teaming up on wind power plant projects.
On April 16, 2025, the Yonggang Central Asia Iron and Steel team officially began construction of a metallurgical plant, while Fufeng Group embarked on a deep-processing plant for corn.
Zhambyl Invest plays a pivotal role in coordinating and implementing investment projects using the "one-stop-shop" principle. Their mission is to provide unwavering support to investors from start to finish.
By creating a hospitable environment for businesses, Zhambyl region is cementing its status as a juicy target for investors from home and abroad.
Let's take a closer look at a few standout projects that have caught the buzz around the region...
Corn Deep-Processing Plant by Fufeng Group
China's Fufeng Group is setting up a massive agro-industrial complex near the Jibek Joly Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Shu District. With a projected investment of $800 million, this corn processing facility aims to process 1 million tons of corn annually. This epic project will generate over 1,000 jobs and support local corn farmers, with exports to Europe planned.
Wind Power Plants
Two mind-blowing wind power projects with a combined capacity of 2 GW are under development in the region. Masdar (UAE) is building a 1 GW wind farm in Sarysu and Talas districts, with an estimated investment of 742 billion tenge and a planned launch in 2029. Meanwhile, Total Eren (France) is setting up another 1 GW project in Moiynkum district, with an approximate investment of 1 trillion tenge, and an anticipated commissioning date in 2028. These mega-projects will play a big part in Kazakhstan's energy transition by boosting green power and helping to diversify its energy mix.
Metallurgical Complex and Industrial Development
In the heart of the Jibek Joly SEZ, a full-cycle metallurgical complex and other processing industry projects are hot in development. With 18 registered participants, the SEZ is brimming with infrastructure including gas, electricity, water, and railway access to support these vigorous endeavors. The region's investment volume swelled to 506 billion tenge in 2024, and is expected to skyrocket to about 850 billion tenge (~$1.9 billion) in 2025, all due to ongoing and new projects.
So, it's no secret that Zhambyl region's economy is on the rise, with major investment projects pouring in from all corners of the globe. Chinese heavyweight Fufeng Group, the UAE's Masdar and W Solar, and French powerhouse Total Eren are just a few of the international players contributing to the region's economic diversification and technological progression. By attracting billions of dollars of investment, creating thousands of jobs, and promoting cutting-edge technology transfer, the Zhambyl region is earning a well-deserved reputation as a hotbed of development and innovation.
Investors are pouring money into the Zhambyl region's economy, particularly in the sectors of agro-industry, renewable energy, and metallurgy. For instance, China's Fufeng Group is investing $800 million in a corn deep-processing plant, while Masdar (UAE) and Total Eren (France) are working on wind power plant projects. These projects, along with others in the metallurgical and processing industries, aim to boost the region's economic growth and create thousands of jobs. Furthermore, these investments are not only domestic but also international, showcasing the region's attractive environment for business and its position as a hub for innovation.
