How the Qostanai Investment Forum 2025 went: technologies, investments, and educational programs

The Qostanai Investment Forum 2025 took place in Kostanai, bringing together businesses, investors, and the state on a single platform. Participants discussed key sectors for regional development, the implementation of artificial intelligence, and the launch of new production facilities.

The forum became a platform where Kostanai demonstrated its potential as a new hub for investment and technology.

Kumar Aksakalov, Akim of the Kostanai Region, noted that at a recently held meeting on the development of artificial intelligence, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called advanced technologies a guarantee of national independence and a key driver of economic growth. According to the Akim, the Kostanai Region is already actively implementing digital solutions in the agro-industrial complex, transport infrastructure, and healthcare.

How the region is changing

Kumar Aksakalov, Akim of the Kostanai Region, highlighted several key directions for the further economic development of the region: machinery manufacturing, ferrous metallurgy, processing of agricultural products, and transport-logistics infrastructure.

In 2023, the project for the construction of a KIA plant was presented, and its commissioning will take place very soon.

It was built in one and a half years and became the largest in terms of the number of jobs created. Investments amounted to 131.5 billion tenge.

Last year, the forum was held at the site of a cast iron plant under construction. Today, it is already an operating enterprise. Recently, a plant for the production of main drives for trucks was launched. Also, by the end of the year, a plant for auto components for passenger cars will be commissioned.

An equally significant project is the construction of an international transport-logistics complex with a capacity of 400 thousand containers or more than 11 million tons of cargo. The new port will combine a terminal, warehouse facilities, and "one-stop" services — from customs clearance to packaging and labeling. It will be the third port in the country and the second dry port without access to the sea. It will help reduce logistics costs and open new markets for local producers.

Development of artificial intelligence technologies

The topic of artificial intelligence became key at the forum.

The Akim of the region emphasized that the implementation of AI will allow for a breakthrough in key industries.

Digital solutions are already being implemented in agriculture. In the near future, farmers will have "mobile agronomists" and "mobile laboratories" based on smartphones. These services help predict weather, detect pests and plant diseases, save time, and increase yields. In livestock farming, special sensors and cameras allow monitoring animal health, controlling feeding, and managing reproduction.

International practice also provides an example: 90% of British dairy farms that use AI for selective breeding have increased cow productivity by 40%.

In housing and utilities, technologies help conduct in-pipe diagnostics of heating networks. This allows determining the remaining resource of networks and planning repairs in advance. Savings reach 25-30% of budget funds allocated for reconstruction.

In medicine, Cerebra systems are already working for early stroke diagnosis. An agreement has been signed to implement a project for breast cancer diagnosis with 98% accuracy. This will improve the quality of medical care and make it more accessible.

Additionally, the region is actively developing the "smart city" concept, implementing Smart City solutions.

Training personnel and developing the IT ecosystem

A technological leap is impossible without training specialists. Today, four universities and 13 colleges operate in the Kostanai Region, where special attention is paid to promising IT directions.

In 2024, a chair of artificial intelligence was opened at Dulatov Kostanai University. Also, a memorandum on dual-degree education was signed between Baitursynuly University and the University of Minnesota Morris. Students studying in the "Information Technology" direction will receive diplomas from two countries.

Startups are actively supported in the region. Qostanai Hub has become a hub for more than 1,500 IT specialists. Samsung Innovation Campus has been opened here, educational programs and accelerators are operating. At the forum, the Pizza Pitch competition and Startup Garage program took place — Kostanai entered the top three regions in the country in terms of the number of applications from startup teams.

The region is ready to integrate solutions developed in Alem-AI — a branch of the international school Tomorrow School, and in Tumo — a center for creative technologies. For more complex tasks, resources of the National Artificial Intelligence Platform and supercomputer are available.

Expert speeches
Other speakers also spoke at the forum.

Aleshka Simkich, Ambassador of the EU to Kazakhstan emphasized the importance of European experience: since August, the world's first law on regulating artificial intelligence has come into force there. This example can help Kazakhstan develop its own approaches to the safe and ethical implementation of technologies.

Dmitry Mun, Deputy Minister of Digital Development noted the activity of Kostanai startups. According to him, digital tools are in demand in public services: residents of the region alone sent more than 83 thousand requests to the AI assistant through eGov Mobile, and together with the akimat, the "Kazlou" consultant was implemented, which helps officials work with legislation.

Agriculture is also actively adopting new solutions. Sergiu Smochinski, Project Manager at Metos spoke about sensors and AI-based services that analyze soil and weather data and help farmers plan irrigation, protection, and harvesting.

Irina Sulimenko, President of the Association of IT Companies of Kazakhstan spoke about the practical application of artificial intelligence in agriculture, housing and utilities, and medicine, as well as about the opportunities of the forum for startups.

In the Kostanai Region, technologies are already being applied in agro-industry, livestock farming, urban infrastructure, and medicine. Such solutions are especially important for regions where there is a shortage of specialists, and technology can fill this gap.

Artificial intelligence is a practical tool that makes regions more efficient and people's lives better.

The forum became a platform where entrepreneurs, investors, and the state met. For business, this is primarily an opportunity to showcase their technologies and find partners.

I would separately note infrastructure initiatives: the launch of projects for digitalization, expansion of connectivity in rural areas. For investors, this is a signal that the region is creating conditions for long-term work, not just talking about prospects.

Kostanai has a strong base — the region is traditionally agrarian and industrial. And now a technological vector has been added. The region ranks fourth in the country in terms of digitalization level, trailing only the capital, Almaty, and Karaganda. This is a serious indicator.

Kostanai can become an example of how a region with an agrarian specialization turns into a technological center.

And Magzum Tolesh, founder and CEO of EasyTap, noted the economic potential of the region, its favorable location, and human capital.

In the regions of Kazakhstan, AI will play a huge role in increasing regional GDP through optimization and increasing the efficiency of local manufacturing and agricultural producers. AI — is not something distant; today you can already use these modern tools for business.

The event showed how much the regional leadership strives to make the region better, richer, and more attractive. The location of Kostanai allows the city to be a transport hub between the northern neighbor and the entire Central Asian region, so the region has huge potential. And also, Kostanai — is a city with strong universities and graduates.

The most important thing is the desire and action. KIF 2025 showed that the region is already actively acting to become a leader.

Forum outcomes

The Qostanai Investment Forum 2025 showed that the region is confidently moving towards a technological breakthrough. The launch of new production facilities, projects in machinery manufacturing, metallurgy, and logistics are combined with the implementation of AI in agro-industry, housing and utilities, and healthcare.

The development of the IT ecosystem, support for startups, educational initiatives, and international partnerships form a solid foundation for the future.

Kumar Aksakalov, Akim of the Kostanai Region

The Kostanai Region is a territory with huge potential, open to innovations.