Kazakhstan becomes first Central Asian country to present projects at SelectUSA Investment Summit
Kazakhstan became the first nation from Central Asia and the South Caucasus to host an investment and trade roundtable at the prestigious SelectUSA Investment Summit, the U.S. government’s flagship investment forum, a Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The roundtable “Strategic Sectors and U.S. Market Entry Opportunities” was organized by Central Asia Strategic Advisory (CASA) and QazTrade, with support from the Kazakh Embassy in Washington and strategic partner Freedom Holding Corp.
It drew the participation of around 120 participants from the government, business, and investment communities of both countries.
Kazakh Ambassador to the U.S. Magzhan Ilyassov emphasized the historic nature of Kazakh companies entering the U.S. market, noting their confidence and ambition to expand globally.
30 Kazakh companies from sectors including manufacturing, agri-tech, healthcare, food industry, and digital platforms presented projects aimed at scaling internationally and adapting to U.S. market requirements.
U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie Stafft highlighted the vast opportunities in the American market and the importance of SelectUSA in supporting foreign businesses.
U.S. Congressman Glenn Ivey praised the strong turnout and expressed commitment to deepening economic ties with Kazakhstan.
Companies showcased practical cases of cooperation, including partnerships with John Deere, Lindsay Corporation, and Amity Technology, demonstrating successful technology transfer and investment models.
U.S. Department of Commerce, SelectFlorida, and GRATA International, focusing on market entry mechanisms, regulatory adaptation, and investment partnerships, also attended the discussions.
During the discussions, participants examined mechanisms for Kazakh companies to enter the U.S. market, support tools offered by American institutions, issues of business localization and adaptation to U.S. regulatory requirements, as well as opportunities for attracting investment and building partnerships.
The event was recognized as an important step not only for Kazakhstan but for the entire Eurasian region, demonstrating the ability of regional projects to reach an institutional level of engagement with the U.S. investment system.
Kazakhstan effectively acted as the region’s first conduit to the SelectUSA platform, setting a precedent for future participation by other countries.
To note, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev held a meeting with members of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Japan, including Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Arfiya Eri and Chairperson of the International Bureau of the Liberal Democratic Party Taro Kono.