Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov opened the Astana Mining & Metallurgy 2026 congress. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
This year's forum brought together over 1,500 delegates from 16 countries. The plenary session hall was packed.
Bektenov first highlighted that Kazakhstan's economy grew by 6.5%, and GDP exceeded $300 billion for the first time.
He then explained to foreign delegates how the new Constitution protects investments.
"Our country's new Constitution establishes the institutional foundations of this direction. It strengthens guarantees for property rights and investment protection, reinforces the principles of the rule of law, and forms a solid basis for the country's long-term economic development," said Bektenov.
According to him, this issue is particularly important for the further development of the mining and metallurgy sector.
"Implementation of large projects in subsoil use, metallurgy, and deep processing requires significant investments and long-term investment cycles. Therefore, institutional stability, predictability of regulation, and a high level of trust from business are becoming key conditions for sustainable development of the industry," the prime minister said.
Given the pace of development of the digital economy, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, microelectronics, and aerospace, global demand for metals will continue to grow. This is confirmed by international experts.
In addition, the production of batteries, semiconductors, energy storage systems, digital infrastructure, and many other unique technologies requires strategically important minerals.
"Kazakhstan has significant mineral resource potential and can take a worthy place in these processes. Our country is among the world leaders in a number of types of minerals, and the products of the domestic mining and metallurgy complex are in high demand in major world markets," said Bektenov.