Manufacturers localising for the EAEU market
You sell into Kazakhstan, Russia or Central Asia and want production inside the Eurasian Economic Union instead of importing finished goods.
Business Development Kazakhstan
Set Up Manufacturing in Kazakhstan
Planning to manufacture in Kazakhstan? Before you commit capital, you need a location that actually has power capacity, a legal path to the land, a realistic view of incentives, and a staffing and logistics plan. BDK runs that work end to end — and stays until the line is running.
Audience
Who this is for
Chinese and Asian producers moving capacity west
You need a site on the China–Europe rail routes, an entity that can hold land and permits, and a team that works in your language.
Investors evaluating a plant or brownfield site
You need to know what the site really has — title, utilities, permits, history — before you sign.
Scope
What's included — and what isn't
Included
- Factory feasibility and investment budget range
- Location strategy across regions, special economic and industrial zones
- Site search, land title and property due diligence
- Utility capacity checks and connection applications: power, water, gas
- Entity set-up and corporate structure for the plant
- SEZ and investment incentive eligibility assessment and application
- Coordination of design, construction and permits
- Equipment procurement support, import logistics and customs clearance
- EAEU product certification planning
- Recruitment, work permits for foreign specialists and HR set-up
- Commissioning support and retained post-launch services
Not included
- Engineering design and construction works — done by licensed contractors we select and supervise
- Customs brokerage — done by licensed brokers under our coordination
- Guaranteed approval of land, incentives, permits or work permits
- Equity financing or lending
Route
Typical route and timing
Timing depends on whether you build new or use an existing building, on grid connection capacity, on SEZ procedures and on equipment lead times. We give you a stage-by-stage timeline before you commit.
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Project brief and scoping
Product, capacity, markets, budget and constraints. We confirm what the project needs before any spend.
1–2 weeks
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Feasibility and location strategy
Compare regions and zones on utilities, logistics, labour and incentive eligibility; build a defensible budget range.
3–8 weeks
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Entity and structure
Register the operating company; set up governance, tax registration and banking.
2–6 weeks
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Site and land
Shortlist sites, verify title and utility capacity, negotiate lease or purchase, apply for SEZ participation where relevant.
1–6 months
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Design, permits and construction
Coordinate design, expert review, construction permits and contractors — or the fit-out of an existing building.
Depends on the project
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Equipment and supply chain
Procurement, shipping, customs clearance and installation; certification planning for the product.
In parallel
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People
Hire the local team, obtain work permits for foreign specialists, set up HR and payroll.
In parallel
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Commissioning and launch
Acceptance, start-up and first production; then retained support.
Final stage
Risks
Risks and decision points
Power capacity is not where the map says
A site can look perfect and still lack the grid capacity your line needs. We check technical conditions before land is secured.
Land rules differ from company rules
A company with foreign participation can own land for industrial buildings, but not agricultural land and not land in the border zone. The site's category and location must fit your structure.
Incentives are not automatic
SEZ participation depends on priority activities, statutory criteria and a decision by the authorities. The business case should work without it.
The SEZ decides your structure
An SEZ participant must be a legal entity carrying out priority activities in the zone, so a branch will not qualify. Choose the structure before you apply.
Certification sets your launch date
Products sold in the EAEU must meet its technical regulations. If certification is planned late, a finished plant waits.
Foreign specialists need permits
Work permits are issued at the authorities' discretion and take time. The hiring plan must include that lead time.
Documents
Documents and information we will need
- Project description: product, capacity, target markets
- Investment budget and financing sources
- Parent company extract from the trade register, charter and ownership structure
- Passport copies of founders and directors
- Technical requirements: floor area, power in kW, water, gas, rail or road access
- Equipment list with origin, HS codes and value
- Staffing plan: local roles and foreign specialists
- Existing studies, drawings or site proposals, if any
- Foreign documents legalised or apostilled, with a notarised translation
Related
Related solutions
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign company own an industrial site in Kazakhstan?
Yes, for industrial and commercial buildings, with two important exceptions: foreigners and companies with foreign participation cannot own or use agricultural land, and cannot own land in the border zone. Many projects lease land or buildings, including inside special economic zones.
Will we get tax incentives in a special economic zone?
Possibly. SEZ participation depends on carrying out priority activities in the zone and meeting statutory criteria, and the decision belongs to the authorities. We assess eligibility early so the business case does not rely on an incentive you may not get.
How long does it take to launch a factory?
Months, sometimes years. Registering the company is measured in days; land, utilities, construction, equipment and certification set the real timeline. We build a stage-by-stage plan during feasibility.
Do you build the plant?
No. Design and construction are done by licensed contractors. We select them, contract them for your project, supervise delivery and report to you — so you still have one point of accountability.
Can our engineers from abroad work on site?
Yes, with the right permits. Foreign specialists generally need work permits, and the timeline depends on the permit category. We plan this into the hiring schedule.
Considering Kazakhstan?
Tell us what you want to build. We will tell you what it actually takes — the steps, the risks, and the realistic timeline — before you commit capital.
Last updated: 14.09.2026
This page is general information about doing business in Kazakhstan, not legal or tax advice for your situation. Rules change and apply differently depending on your sector, structure and ownership. Last updated: 14.09.2026. Sources: Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Articles 23–24; Law on Special Economic and Industrial Zones No. 242-VI of 3 April 2019; Kazakh Invest — Special Economic Zones. For advice on your specific project, talk to us.
Work permits, visas and residence permits are issued by Kazakhstan state authorities at their discretion. We prepare documentation and support the process. We cannot and do not guarantee any outcome.
Eligibility for investment incentives and special economic zone regimes is determined by the relevant authorities against statutory criteria. We assess your likely eligibility and prepare the application. We do not guarantee approval.