Tokayev proposes Kazakh-Korean joint venture for logistics projects

September 15, 2026 at 03:05 PM2 min

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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed creating a Kazakh-Korean joint venture to develop logistics projects during a roundtable in Seoul on September 15. He also invited Korean companies to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and energy. The proposals aim to position Kazakhstan as a regional hub for technology and transit.

Key Facts

Tokayev proposed a Kazakh-Korean joint venture to support logistics projects and ensure unimpeded transit of Korean goods through Kazakhstan.
Tokayev invited Hanwha Group to use Kazakhstan as a technology platform for entering Central Asian markets and to implement joint AI and digital infrastructure projects.
Kazakhstan proposed a 'resources – technology – industry' model for joint development of value chains in critical minerals, including a new Technology Cooperation Center in Almaty.
Hyundai Engineering is already playing a key role in the construction of the Karachaganak gas processing plant, which Tokayev called the start of long-term Korean presence in Kazakhstan's market.
Kazakhstan is developing a data center ecosystem in Pavlodar region with capacity up to 1 gigawatt, integrated with national supercomputing resources.

Logistics Joint Venture

Tokayev announced the proposal at the opening of a Kazakh-Korean roundtable in Seoul on September 15. He said Kazakhstan is investing heavily in railways, roads, seaports, and terminals to increase capacity, speed, and reliability of the Middle Corridor. Korean logistics companies CJ Logistics and LX Pantos are already building modern logistics centers, multimodal terminals, and warehouse complexes in Kazakhstan. Tokayev noted that Kazakh company Shin-Line and Lotte Global Logistics are advancing partnership plans in this sphere.

AI and Digital Infrastructure

Tokayev highlighted human capital as key to Kazakhstan's AI strategy and praised partnership with Seoul National University of Science and Technology to create the first AI Institute in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is developing one of the largest data center ecosystems in Eurasia, including a 'Data Center Valley' in energy-rich Pavlodar region with capacity up to 1 gigawatt. Tokayev said Kazakhstan aims to become the main computing hub of Central Asia and a bridge between Europe and Asia. He expressed readiness to expand supplies of materials and components for microelectronics and semiconductor production, citing potential partnership with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. At a separate meeting with Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-won, Tokayev proposed using Kazakhstan as a platform for entering Central Asian markets.

Critical Minerals and Energy

Tokayev said critical minerals have become one of the most strategically significant and fastest-growing sectors of the global economy. He proposed a 'resources – technology – industry' model for joint development of full value chains in critical minerals. The creation of a Technology Cooperation Center for rare and rare-earth metals in Almaty is the next logical step in this partnership model. Tokayev welcomed Korean investment and technological expertise in developing Kazakhstan's mineral resource potential. Hyundai Engineering is playing a key role in the construction of the Karachaganak gas processing plant, which Tokayev views as the beginning of long-term Korean presence in Kazakhstan's market.