AIF-2025: Baiterek Holding Attracts Multimillion-Dollar Investments and Expands Strategic Partnerships
As part of the Astana International Forum, Baiterek Holding and its subsidiaries signed memorandums and reached agreements with major foreign investors.
What Happened
The Astana International Forum (AIF) concluded in the capital, with active participation from Baiterek Holding and its subsidiaries. During the forum, strategic agreements were signed with international partners, aimed at developing infrastructure, the green economy, and business support.
Why It Matters
Key investment initiatives were discussed at the forum, including the launch of the Central Asia Direct Investment Fund, financing for the modernization of water supply systems, green projects worth tens of millions of dollars, and expanded cooperation with international institutions. These efforts strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a regional hub for sustainable development and an attractive destination for investment.
One of the forum's key events was a meeting between Baiterek Holding Chairman Rustam Karagoishin and a delegation from the Oman Investment Authority. The parties discussed the launch of the Central Asia Direct Investment Fund, targeting projects in logistics, e-commerce, and the food industry. The establishment of a regional office for the fund in Astana is also under consideration.
“We view participation in the Central Asia Direct Investment Fund as a strategic opportunity to strengthen economic ties and efficiently attract capital that will contribute to the growth of the entire region,” emphasized Rustam Karagoishin.
“The memorandum will enable us to combine efforts in the modernization of housing and communal services and energy sectors, identify new pilot cities, and begin concrete work to improve infrastructure. For us, this is part of a broader picture — expanding strategic partnership with Baiterek Holding and its subsidiaries,” said Jürgen Rigterink.
A subsidiary, Kazakhstan Housing Company, signed a memorandum with the European Investment Bank, which is considering allocating up to $50 million for green projects, including reducing building energy consumption by 20%.
“Improving the quality of life for citizens and developing a modern, comfortable urban environment are priority tasks for Kazakhstan Housing Company. Signing the memorandum with EIB Global is an important step in implementing long-term international cooperation initiatives that align with both national priorities and global climate challenges. We are confident that such a partnership will contribute to setting new housing standards and the development of sustainable and energy-efficient housing projects in Kazakhstan,” said Altai Kuzdibaev, Chairman of the Board of JSC Kazakhstan Housing Company.
Investments to support small and medium-sized businesses, renewable energy sources, and other infrastructure initiatives are also under discussion.
During the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Kazakhstan, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, a subsidiary of Baiterek Holding, signed a cooperation declaration with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and SACE. This declaration is a logical continuation of cooperation between the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and Italian development institutions.
The partnership with CDP and the SACE agency began in January 2024 during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Italy. At that time, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan signed a memorandum with SACE and a loan agreement with CDP for €200 million, secured by insurance coverage from the Italian institution.
Additionally, the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan (a subsidiary of Baiterek Holding) participated in the Italy-Kazakhstan supply chain international forum, which gathered over 350 representatives from businesses and government agencies. Discussions focused on the supply of Kazakh products and the launch of joint manufacturing projects.
“Kazakhstan and Italy have a high potential for creating joint ventures. This is beneficial for both sides: Kazakhstan gains access to technology and European supply chains, while Italy secures stable access to raw materials and the opportunity to reduce production costs through direct access to resources,” noted Ayan Bektibaeva, Deputy Chairperson of the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan (a subsidiary of Baiterek Holding), during the forum.
During the forum, an agreement was also signed between JSC Otbas Bank, a subsidiary of Baiterek Holding, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group.
.jpg)
The IFC will provide advisory services to develop a detailed implementation plan for the bank’s development strategy. The primary goal is to strengthen the operational model and reduce dependence on budget financing by opening access to private capital. The cooperation will also include the development of new financial products and improving the bank’s competitiveness.
Another subsidiary of the holding was also actively involved. During the forum, the Agrarian Credit Corporation held a meeting with representatives from the Partnership and Liaison Bureau of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Mohamed Manssouri, Director of the organization’s Investment Centre, highlighted four formats of cooperation: development of investment programs in the agricultural sector, project preparation assistance, support for private investments (notably through the EBRD), and mobilization of private capital using innovative instruments.
Kairat Sapulatov, Deputy Chairman of the Agrarian Credit Corporation, noted that the corporation and its subsidiary KazAgroFinance are key institutions in agro-financing in Kazakhstan. In 2024, the corporation provided support totaling 822 billion tenge (approximately 1.5 billion USD), with a portfolio of over 80,000 farmers. Support was extended to 16,000 farms, and more than 10,500 units of agricultural machinery were delivered. In 2025, the financing volume is planned to increase to 1 trillion tenge (about 2 billion USD), of which 500 billion has already been disbursed to date.
