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When Turkish businesspeople first arrived in Kazakhstan in the early 1990s, they encountered a country still emerging from the shadow of the Soviet Union.
Infrastructure was underdeveloped, and basic amenities were scarce—one entrepreneur famously recalled that taking a proper bath was a luxury for people living in their building due to the lack of hot water. An experienced journalist noted that there was only one large hotel in Asmaty, then the country's capital. Today, Kazakhstan represents an economic miracle for many.
Yet Turkish business pioneers, encouraged by then-President Turgut Ozal’s 1993 visit to Kazakhstan, saw potential where others saw uncertainty. Their decision to invest in the challenging days laid the foundation for today’s thriving Turkish presence in the country’s economy.
Ozal, who passed away in 1993, had placed great emphasis on deepening ties with Central Asia. His vision paved the way for Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Kazakhstan, a nation rich in natural resources and eager to modernize its economy.
Thirty years later, Kazakhstan is a vastly different country—prosperous, modernized, and boasting a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $15,000. Turkish companies are active in nearly every sector, from construction and hospitality to retail, energy, logistics, and agriculture.
One of those early pioneers is Ahmet Hamdi Ayan, chairman of AHSEL Group, who has played a leading role in shaping Kazakhstan’s skyline. His investments include luxury hotels, shopping malls, and large-scale residential projects. The Intercontinental Hotel, once known as the Ankara Hotel, stands as a symbol of this long-standing relationship and has grown into one of the country’s premier destinations for business and leisure travelers.
In a roundtable talk, the Turkish businessman cautioned newcomers and expressed hope for the future, especially with the possible opening of the Zangezur corridor. The corridor would lower the cost of transportation significantly. One businessman who is active in the FMCG sector, especially expressed high expectations for his business in case the corridor is launched.
This enduring success is not only built on business acumen but also on cultural proximity. Shared history, linguistic ties, and a sense of kinship between the Turkish and Kazakh peoples have given Turkish investors a unique edge in navigating Kazakhstan’s market.
Kazakhstan shares a long border with China. Chinese cars dominate Kazakh streets, and many Turkish businessmen own at least one Chinese car. However, the competition with Chinese businesses in some sectors is becoming increasingly intense. While Turkish businessmen welcome incentives from Kazakhstan, they urge Ankara to adopt policies that encourage more companies to enter and operate in the country.
Kazakhstan’s transformation and economic ambition were recently highlighted at a roundtable hosted by Türkiye’de Is Dunyasi magazine in collaboration with the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK).
Business leaders emphasized that this is the right time for new investments, citing Kazakhstan’s strategic position at the heart of Eurasia and its ambitious “Middle Corridor” trade vision, which seeks to link Asia and Europe.
“Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has undergone an extraordinary transformation in 34 years,” said Selcuk Yuce, chairman of DEIK's Türkiye-Kazakhstan Business Council. “Turkish companies have not only contributed to infrastructure development but also played a role in Kazakhstan’s modernization. This is a country where every investment returns both financially and morally.”
Yuce highlighted agriculture, mining, energy, logistics, and defense as key areas for future cooperation, advising entrepreneurs to respect local business culture. “Don’t try to change the rules here—adapt to Kazakhstan’s way of doing business,” he said.
Other business leaders echoed Yuce’s optimism, offering insights into their sectors: Ayan of AHSEL Group said, “We started with electrification projects in Türkiye and continued with construction in Kazakhstan. Today, we’ve built hotels, shopping malls, and over 8,000 housing units.” One businessman, Serkan Oztas of SMS Group, proudly said, “We’ve built 65% of Kazakhstan’s intercity roads and are working on the Almaty Airport renovation. Our next step is a $126 million agricultural investment” in the meeting organized by Ihlas Media Holding-owned Turkiye'de Is Dunyasi magazine.
Kazakhstan continues its journey toward becoming a regional powerhouse, and Turkish companies remain deeply invested—not only financially but also culturally and strategically.
The first generation of investors, who took risks in a country still finding its footing, are now witnessing the dividends of their foresight.
And with new opportunities emerging across sectors, the next wave of Turkish entrepreneurs is poised to build on this enduring partnership.
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