Chinese Investors to Launch Cotton Cluster in Kazakhstan’s Turkistan Region

Chinese investors from Xinjiang Lihua (Group) Co. Ltd. plan to develop a full-cycle cotton cluster in Kazakhstan's TURAN Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Turkistan region, Orda.kz reports.

The initiative was discussed at a meeting between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Zhang Qihai, Chair of the company's Board of Directors.

According to the government, the project will include a complete production cycle:

From cotton cultivation to manufacturing finished textile goods, including yarn, fabric, and clothing. More than 50,000 hectares will be allocated for cotton planting. Plans also include constructing ten plants, including four cotton processing facilities near sowing areas, two factories for producing drip irrigation systems using modern, water-saving technologies, and four textile factories, including sewing, dyeing, and finishing units, the government reported. 

A PVC pipe plant has already been commissioned to support the cluster,  and several textile factories are under construction. Zhang Qihai emphasized that the region’s climate is ideal for cotton cultivation.

Production is scheduled to begin in October.

Olzhas Bektenov said:

The government, for its part, will provide the necessary support.

This initiative follows an earlier visit in July 2024 by Chinese investors, during which plans were announced for nearly 800 billion tenge in total investment into the region. Other developments include a five-star hotel, water park, and luxury villas.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan already has several textile factories, with some producing high-end fabrics used in luxury goods.

Original Author: Alexandra Mokhireva