Kazakhstan's Bold Innovation Push Aims for 3% GDP Growth by 2035

Kazakhstan is pushing ahead with plans to boost its innovation and technology sectors. The government has set ambitious targets, including a goal for innovative products to make up 3% of the country’s GDP by 2035. Recent reforms and investments are already showing economic benefits across key industries. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education now oversees innovation policy, streamlining efforts to grow the sector. One major initiative, the Concept for High-Tech Territories, is expanding science cities and tech parks nationwide. These hubs aim to speed up the commercialisation of new technologies and attract investment.

Tax breaks of up to 300% for research and development (R&D) have been introduced to encourage private sector involvement. The Stimulating Productive Innovations project alone has delivered a 53 billion tenge economic boost. Another success, the Asia Trafo project, replaced imported equipment with local alternatives, deploying 23 compensating devices and saving 16 billion tenge. Venture funding is also playing a key role. Tumar Ventures has backed 90 startups, generating 35 billion tenge in commercial returns. Meanwhile, the EcoSave project has improved farming efficiency, cutting pesticide use and raising crop yields by 15%, with a 1.8 billion tenge impact. Kazakhstan currently ranks 81st in the Global Innovation Index and 55th in the Economic Complexity Index. The government’s focus on innovation aims to lift these positions in the coming years.

The combined effect of tax incentives, venture funding, and targeted projects has already brought measurable economic gains. With continued investment in science cities and R&D, Kazakhstan’s innovation sector is set to expand further. The 2035 target of 3% GDP from innovative products will depend on sustaining these efforts.