ASTANA / Kazakhstan, 29 May 2025: Kazakhstan and Italy have agreed to establish a joint €500 million agriculture investment fund, aimed at boosting bilateral trade, food exports, and industrial cooperation in the agri-food sector.
The initiative was finalized during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s National Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Gianantonio Tramet, founder of Tramite Group and a member of the Kazakhstan-Italy Trade and Industry Chamber.
The fund will be registered at the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), with Italian investors and SIMEST holding a 51% stake and Kazakhstan’s Baiterek Holding owning the remaining 49%. The fund targets an annual turnover of €1 billion, focusing on high-demand exports such as grain, meat, oils, legumes, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.
The goal is to build a logistics and investment platform to help Kazakh agri-products penetrate markets in Europe, Asia, the US, and beyond. Seven of Italy’s leading food companies are reportedly exploring production facilities in Kazakhstan, strengthening industrial ties between the two nations.
One of the flagship projects discussed was AGRIQA Asia’s agro-industrial cluster in Shardar, Turkistan region, which is set to attract €200 million in investments by 2028.
Minister Zhumangarin reiterated Kazakhstan’s commitment to foreign investment and ease of doing business. The initiative follows Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov’s recent talks with FAO Director General Qu Dongyu during the 2025 Astana International Forum, signaling Kazakhstan's growing role in global food security and sustainable agriculture.
Image credit: astanatimes.com
