The IX World Investment Forum 2026 is being held in Doha from 25 to 27 October 2026. The Forum is organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in cooperation with the State of Qatar. The Kazakh delegation is headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ardak Zebeshev.
As part of the Forum, A. Zebeshev spoke at the session “World Investment Report 2026 – EAEU Region in the Spotlight of the UNCTAD World Investment Forum” and the ministerial roundtable on entrepreneurship entitled “Investing in the Future Builders.”
Speaking at the session dedicated to the EAEU region, A. Zebeshev noted that Kazakhstan’s economy had grown by 30% since 2019, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 4.5%. In 2025, gross foreign direct investment inflows increased by 14.4% to reach USD 20.5 billion.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of attracting investment into the manufacturing sector and the production of higher value-added goods. Kazakhstan produces a wide range of industrial products, from locomotives to railway rails, while its automotive plants manufacture more than 150,000 vehicles annually. The industry has also moved beyond basic localization towards full-cycle manufacturing and small-component assembly.
At the ministerial roundtable, the Kazakh side presented the country’s experience in developing its innovation ecosystem and digital infrastructure. The projects presented included Data Center Valley, with a potential capacity of up to 1 GW, and Alem Capital Management, a fund of funds with a target capital of USD 1 billion.
On the sidelines of the Forum, A. Zebeshev also held a series of bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening investment cooperation and advancing joint projects with Qatar.
During the meeting with Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar), the Kazakh side presented projects for the construction of an oil refinery in the Aktobe Region, valued at USD 1.5 billion, and the development of Data Center Valley.
A meeting was also held with Hassan Jassim Al-Sayed, Chairman of Qatar Post, Qatar’s national postal operator. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in e-commerce, logistics and digital services.
At the meeting with Feras Fuad Aboul, Partner at Roland Berger Middle East, the parties explored opportunities to leverage international consulting expertise for the financial and strategic development of promising projects in Kazakhstan.
During the meeting with Professor Dr Mahmood Adil, Advisor to the Minister of Public Health of the State of Qatar, the parties discussed prospects for implementing a project to establish a national artificial intelligence system for Kazakhstan’s healthcare sector.
Following its participation in the Forum, Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to further cooperation with UNCTAD and international partners to attract investment, diversify the economy and promote innovative entrepreneurship.
