29 May 2023 17:39

Over 20 foreign companies relocate to Kazakhstan from Russia

ASTANA. May 29 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan is carrying out a lot of work to help foreign companies that have officially declared their intention to leave Russia relocate, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Almas Aidarov said.

"We've sent invitations to 401 companies whose relocation to Kazakhstan we are interested in," Aidarov said at a government Q&A session at the Kazakh Senate on Monday.

"As of now, 67 companies have responded positively and work is underway with them, and the relocation of 25 companies has been completed. A total of 38 countries are taking part in this, mainly Germany, the United States, Switzerland, and Japan," he said.

Kazakhstan's ambassadors have been meeting with representatives of the companies' main offices, he said.

"The main, well-known companies that have relocated include America's Honewell, which has launched a small production facility in Almaty. TikTok has also moved its office to Kazakhstan, Indriver is in Kazakhstan, as well as Australia's Fortescue, and France's Alstom. Ozon is opening a logistics park in Astana," Aidarov said.

Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said in September 2022 that about 50 companies that do not operate in the resources sector, out of more than 300 major foreign companies leaving Russia, signaled their intention to set up local production facilities and offices in Kazakhstan.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in July 2022 ordered that favorable conditions be established in the country to help foreign companies leaving Russia relocate.

Smailov said in early December 2022 that 19 companies that left Russia had established local production facilities and offices in Kazakhstan.