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<\/p>\nASTANA \u2014 French companies operating in Kazakhstan plan to invest 1.5 billion euros (US$1.68 billion) and create more than 1,000 jobs over the next three years, according to a study presented by the French Embassy in Astana on Oct. 22, highlighting the country\u2019s growing role as a regional production and business hub.<\/p>\n
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French Ambassador Sylvain Guiaugue presents the study in Astana on Oct. 22. Photo credit: French Embassy press attach\u00e9<\/p>\n
The planned investments<\/a> reflect France\u2019s efforts to expand economic cooperation beyond oil and uranium into renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture and technology, while strengthening local production and supply chains.<\/p>\n \u201cFrench companies<\/a> come to Kazakhstan with a long-term perspective. They invest in building new factories, create jobs and train young specialists. In other words, they contribute to the diversification of Kazakhstan\u2019s industrial base,\u201d French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiaugue<\/a> said during the presentation.<\/p>\n French investment expands across Kazakhstan<\/p>\n Conducted between March and June 2026, the study examines the economic contribution of French businesses in Kazakhstan, drawing on responses from 26 French and French-Kazakh companies.<\/p>\n French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiaugue. Photo credit: Nagima Abuova \/ The Astana Times<\/p>\n Bilateral trade exceeded five billion euros (US$5.6 billion) in 2025, while accumulated French direct investment surpassed 12 billion euros (US$13.45 billion). The surveyed companies reported combined annual turnover exceeding two billion euros (US$2.24 billion), primarily in manufacturing.<\/p>\n Over the past decade, the participating companies invested approximately 2.5 billion euros (US$2.8 billion) in Kazakhstan. More than 80% of respondents are large enterprises, while 42% operate production facilities in the country.<\/p>\n French business activities now extend across all 17 regions of Kazakhstan, with an increasing focus on regional markets. More than 42% of respondents export products from Kazakhstan, while 38% consider the country their main operational center in Central Asia. Another 25% coordinate activities in the Caucasus from Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n Ludovic Lea, head of the French Embassy\u2019s Economic Department. Photo credit: Nagima Abuova \/ The Astana Times<\/p>\n \u201cWhat stands out most to me is the geographical reach of French companies. They operate throughout Kazakhstan and use their production facilities in the country to enter new markets. In doing so, they contribute to the diversification of Kazakhstan\u2019s exports,\u201d said Ludovic Lea, head of the French Embassy\u2019s Economic Department.<\/p>\n This regional role is supported by expanding transport<\/a> links, particularly the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or Middle Corridor<\/a>, which connects Kazakhstan and Central Asia with European markets.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause of geopolitical developments, we see that the Trans-Caspian corridor is playing an increasingly important role in our relations. The corridor is developing, and it involves various forms of connectivity, including air and rail transport, as well as fiber-optic cables and internet infrastructure,\u201d said Guiaugue.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this way, the Trans-Caspian corridor has become a very important link for trade between the European Union, Kazakhstan and Central Asia,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n Opportunities for Kazakh businesses and workforce development<\/p>\n The expansion of French production in Kazakhstan is also opening opportunities for local suppliers and skilled workers. Guiaugue said major French investment projects create opportunities for Kazakh small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enter supply chains, as sourcing goods and services locally becomes increasingly attractive.<\/p>\n France is also seeking to attract more of its own SMEs. Business France, the French international business development agency, reopened its Almaty office in September to support French companies entering Kazakhstan and other Central Asian markets.<\/p>\n The effort accompanies broader diversification into renewable energy, hydropower, urban infrastructure, agriculture and tourism. One example is French company POMA, which secured a contract to construct cableways for the Almaty Superski mountain tourism project.<\/p>\n Alongside industrial expansion, workforce development remains a priority. The surveyed companies employ more than 12,000 people in Kazakhstan and plan to create over 1,000 additional jobs within three years, increasing demand for qualified local specialists.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-2-300x225.jpeg\")
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