Kazakhstan reports increase in Chinese businesses registered in the country

The number of Chinese companies registered in Kazakhstan has been rapidly increasing. In August alone, the figure grew by 3.3%, with 150 new registrations, reaching a total of 4,700 legal entities. According to analysts at the First Credit Bureau (FCB), this marks the highest monthly increase since 2022.

Since early 2022, the number of registered Chinese companies has consistently risen, except a decrease of 20 firms in November 2023. Before that, the number rose by 90 in October and then by 30 in January 2024.

More than 3,000 of the registered Chinese companies are currently operational. No other partner country saw a similar increase in August. The number of incorporated Chinese companies with joint ownership also grew, rising 2.6% to 902 month-on-month (MoM).

There are currently 31,900 registered foreign companies in Kazakhstan, with Russian companies making up the majority at 23,700. However, the number of operating Russian companies decreased by 138 in August, bringing the total to 23,500.

For the first time since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the number of registered enterprises from Russia in Kazakhstan has also been decreasing. In August, 13 fewer Russian companies were registered in Kazakhstan compared to July. However, joint ventures with Russian partners increased by 0.6% MoM, adding 33 to reach a total of 5,000.

According to the Bureau of National Statistics, out of nearly 32,000 companies registered in Kazakhstan in August, 3,800 (12.1%) were based in Almaty, 3,700 (11.7%) in Astana and 2,100 (6.7%) in the Karaganda region. By sector, the majority of companies were registered in services (40.7%), wholesale and retail trade; vehicle and motorcycle repair (14%) and professional, research and engineering activities (7%).

The number of registered foreign legal entities, their branches and affiliates increased by 8.5% year-on-year. However, the number of registered legal entities and branches with joint ownership decreased by one percent.