BlackRock ready to raise Kazakhstan investment on pension, market reforms

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BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, is prepared to increase capital allocations to Kazakhstan, citing pension and stock market reforms. Chief investment strategist Ben Powell told Bloomberg the firm would deploy more capital if opportunities emerge. The statement follows $2 billion in U.S. investor inflows into Kazakh debt instruments since the start of 2026.
Key Facts
- BlackRock manages more than 1,000 funds with total assets of about $15 trillion.
- BlackRock's net profit reached $1.91 billion in April–June 2026.
- U.S. investors have poured about $2 billion into Kazakh debt instruments since the start of 2026.
- Kazakhstan's economy grew 4.1 percent in the first eight months of 2026.
- Uzbekistan's economy expanded 8.5 percent in the first half of 2026.
Investment Interest
BlackRock is ready to increase capital investments in Kazakhstan, positively assessing pension system and stock market reforms. Ben Powell, chief investment strategist for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific at BlackRock, told Bloomberg: "If we see more opportunities, we will gladly invest more capital." Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, along with Gulf countries and India, are attracting growing interest from BlackRock due to economic reforms and growth. In July, BlackRock representatives met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss cooperation in privatization, petrochemical projects, and artificial intelligence.
Economic Drivers
Interest in Kazakhstan is fueled by economic growth of 4.1 percent in the first eight months of 2026 and high global oil prices. Uzbekistan's economy grew 8.5 percent in the first half of 2026. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev said Kyrgyzstan's economy grew 11 percent in the first eight months of 2026.