Build! Once Again - Build: Kazakhstan’s Construction Program to Boost Growth, Improve Living Standards
The Astana Times, Tuesday, 3 November, 2026
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Build! Once Again – Build: Kazakhstan’s Construction Program to Boost Growth, Improve Living Standards
By Ayana Birbayeva
in Business
3 November 2026
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is gearing up for a nationwide construction boom, aiming to invest nearly 6.5 trillion tenge (US$14.3 billion) in infrastructure development from 2026 to 2029. This initiative, known as Khalyktyq Qurylys or the People’s Construction program, will target roads, airports, railway stations, power plants, hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, sports facilities, and other public infrastructure across the country.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for a new phase of economic modernization focused on tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“The entire meaning of the People’s Construction initiative can be expressed simply: ‘Build! Once again – build!’ We must leave a legacy of tangible results, especially in social infrastructure, for present and future generations,” Tokayev emphasized during a visit to the Karagandy Region on November 2.
Economic Context
Kazakhstan’s construction drive comes amid robust economic growth and expanding sectors, including a 6.5% real GDP growth in 2025. GDP per capita rose from $9,813 in 2019 to $15,006.4 in 2025, indicating a 52.9% increase.
Construction, as a sector, experienced a 17.5% growth in 2025, highlighting its potential as an engine for economic development.
Prioritizing Regional Needs
The government plans to identify urgent infrastructure needs in each region by the end of 2026. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed relevant ministries to collaborate with regional administrations to assess demand for infrastructure and social facilities, including local roads, housing networks, educational institutions, cultural facilities, and medical infrastructure.
“The People’s Construction program will be the largest infrastructure project in our history. Its success depends on coordinated efforts between the government and regional administrations,” Bektenov noted.
By focusing on regional needs, the program aims to enhance living standards nationwide, not just in major urban centers.
Job Creation and Business Opportunities
Beyond physical infrastructure, the construction drive is expected to generate new economic opportunities, including job creation and business development. This includes collaboration between domestic and international companies.