Kazakhstan is set to strengthen its food-processing industry with the construction of a major new cheese production facility backed by Iranian investment.

Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov and Solico Group CEO Gholam Ali Soleimani signed an investment agreement for the project, which will be built in the Almaty region, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

The new plant will have an annual production capacity of 155,000 tons of cheese, making it one of the largest dairy-processing projects in Kazakhstan. The total investment is estimated at 35.2 billion tenge.

Construction is already underway, with the facility expected to begin operations in 2029.

The agreement marks another milestone in expanding economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Iran, building on commitments made during the Iranian president’s visit to Kazakhstan in December 2025.

The project will create at least 400 permanent jobs, while also providing training programs for Kazakh specialists and introducing modern production technologies.

The facility is expected to boost demand for locally produced milk, expand the range of dairy products available in the market and strengthen Kazakhstan’s food security.

In addition to the industrial investment, Solico Group plans to allocate 50 million tenge annually between 2028 and 2038 to support local communities and social development initiatives.