Why Turkish business is interested in Kazakhstan: trade, logistics and what the numbers show
Trade between Kazakhstan and Türkiye is growing fast in 2026, while the number of Turkish-owned companies has fallen. Here is what drives the interest and what it means if you plan to enter the market.
Türkiye is among Kazakhstan's largest trading partners, and both sides aim to raise bilateral trade to $15 billion. Yet the picture is more nuanced than "everyone is rushing to open a company": trade is growing fast, while company numbers and new investment tell a different story.
What the numbers show
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Trade in 2025 | $5.4 billion, up 8.7% (Kazakh statistics) |
| Trade, first 8 months of 2026 | $5.66 billion, up 66.5% (Kazakh side's statement) |
| Enterprises with Turkish capital | about 3,700 on 1 January 2026, down 7.5% in a year |
| Investment from Türkiye, Jan–Sep 2025 | $191 million, 2.3 times less than a year earlier |
| Projects | about 100 completed, about 50 under way |
Turkish statistics count trade differently and report higher totals, so the two countries' figures should not be compared directly.
The interest is real, but it shows mainly in trade and projects. Some players are leaving the market, so preparation matters.
What attracts entrepreneurs
Access to neighbouring markets. Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, so a company here operates inside the union's common market.
Logistics. The Middle Corridor between Asia and Europe runs through Kazakhstan, and the parties are working to increase transport along it.
Easy entry. Turkish citizens can stay up to 90 days in each 180-day period without a visa — enough to study the market and meet partners. See visa-free entry.
Cultural proximity. Turkish contractors have long worked in the country, and both states cooperate in the Organization of Turkic States.
Costly mistakes
- Confusing travel with work. Visa-free stay does not grant the right to be employed.
- Choosing a legal form by habit. Start with our guide on how a foreigner registers an LLP.
- Leaving banking to the end. Banks apply internal rules, and refusals happen.
- Ignoring tax. A new Tax Code applies from 2026, with a 16% standard VAT rate.
Where to start
Decide what you need: to sell from Türkiye, to open your own company, or to relocate. The legal form and immigration status follow from that. Visa Navigator helps with company registration and stay documents — tell us about your plans and we will suggest a suitable route.
Questions and answers
How many Turkish companies operate in Kazakhstan?
It depends on the source. National Bank data show about 3,700 enterprises with Turkish capital on 1 January 2026; Kazakh statistics show 3,300 in early April 2026; official speeches cite 3,800 and more.
Do Turkish citizens need a visa for Kazakhstan?
Not for stays of up to 90 days in each 180-day period. Long-term work or business requires a suitable status, such as a C5 visa, work authorisation or a temporary residence permit.
Sources
This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and practice change — verify the current requirements as of the date you apply.
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