Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov Meets with PepsiCo President David Manzini to Advance Investment Project in Kazakhstan
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov recently convened with David Manzini, President of PepsiCo for Central Asia, Russia, Belarus, and the Caucasus, to discuss the implementation of agreements set forth by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and PepsiCo President Ramon Laguarta.
A pivotal agenda item was the establishment of a new plant for salty snacks in the Almaty region, specifically focusing on the production of “Lays” potato chips. The project, backed by $160 million in foreign investment, marks a significant stride towards enhancing the deep processing capabilities of Kazakh agricultural products.
Scheduled for launch in 2026, the plant aims to be Central Asia’s largest of its kind, initially producing up to 16,000 tons annually with plans to scale to 21,000 tons by 2027. The finished products will cater not only to the Central Asian market but also beyond. During the construction phase, the project is set to engage up to a thousand workers, while it plans to create approximately 350 skilled jobs upon operational commencement.
David Manzini underscored PepsiCo’s commitment to sourcing local raw materials, highlighting ongoing efforts to secure contracts with Kazakh farmers for the supply of initial potato batches. The corporation anticipates purchasing between 50,000 to 66,000 tons of potatoes annually from 2026 to 2030, with an emphasis on employing advanced processing techniques to uphold environmental sustainability principles, ensuring 100% recycling and utilization of plant waste.
Expressing eagerness to expedite the project, PepsiCo emphasized the favorable investment climate fostered by Kazakhstan, enabling further stages of plant modernization and expanded product offerings.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the project’s strategic significance in bolstering agriculture, increasing incomes for Kazakh farmers, and fortifying the national economy. He stressed that such ambitious investment initiatives align with President Tokayev’s vision to diversify Kazakhstan’s economy, projecting a beneficial ripple effect across associated sectors such as transportation, logistics, and agricultural processing.
“The United States stands as one of Kazakhstan’s pivotal investment partners,” Bektenov reaffirmed, highlighting the nation’s commitment to safeguarding investments and providing requisite support.
The plant has been designated as a priority investment project under the Government’s careful oversight. Currently, Kazakhstan boasts a portfolio of 704 projects valued at 32 trillion tenge, contributing to the creation of 122.5 thousand jobs as of the first quarter of this year.
Both parties affirmed their mutual intent to expand collaboration and foster enduring partnerships aimed at harnessing Kazakhstan’s agricultural potential through innovative ventures.
For reference, PepsiCo is a leading American multinational in the food industry, renowned for its beverages and diverse range of food products.
