ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 5. Kazakh President
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chairman of the Board of Xinjiang Lihua
Zhang Qihai discussed the implementation of a vertically integrated
cotton-textile cluster with a full production cycle, Trend reports via the press
service of the Kazakh president.
During the meeting, Tokayev was informed that the project would
significantly reduce Kazakhstan’s dependence on imports and supply
the domestic market with competitive locally produced goods.
Zhang Qihai noted that several facilities have already been
commissioned, including two cotton processing plants. In the coming
years, the company plans to launch facilities for the production of
nonwoven materials, home textiles, and clothing.
The project is expected to expand cotton cultivation areas to
52,000 hectares through the use of innovative digital technologies
and drip irrigation systems. At the first stage, direct foreign
investment in the cotton cluster is estimated at around $360
million, while more than 4,000 jobs are expected to be created.
Tokayev emphasized the importance of the cluster for the
development of the agro-industrial and light industry sectors in
southern Kazakhstan.
The president also highlighted the need for broad application of
water-saving technologies and supported the introduction of smart
digital solutions and artificial intelligence, given the high
resource intensity of cotton farming.
The cluster project is being implemented in Kazakhstan’s
Turkestan region and includes establishment of up to 10 production
facilities covering cotton cultivation and primary processing, yarn
and textile manufacturing, as well as the production of drip
irrigation systems and related materials.
The project’s initial investment volume was estimated at $450
million, but in December 2025 Kazakhstan and Xinjiang Lihua
confirmed plans to increase total investment to $600 million due to
the expansion of the production program and scaling up of
capacities.
