A major U.S. investment is set to reshape Kazakhstan’s food processing industry as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, Incorporated, to discuss a landmark $180 million project in Alatau City.

The agreement, signed between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Mars, paves the way for the construction of a modern pet food manufacturing plant - a move expected to boost advanced agricultural processing and significantly increase the production of high-value-added goods, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

President Tokayev described the initiative as the beginning of a strategically important partnership, highlighting it as a clear sign of the strong and growing economic ties between Kazakhstan and the United States. The project is also seen as part of a broader push to diversify Kazakhstan’s economy and expand its manufacturing base.

Once operational, the new facility in Alatau City will serve not only the domestic market but also Central Asia and neighboring regions, strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a regional production hub.

For Mars, the investment represents a strategic expansion. CEO Poul Weihrauch thanked the Kazakh leadership for its support, noting that the new plant will provide an excellent platform for scaling production and expanding market reach across the region.