A meeting took place in Astana between Azamat Kozhanov and Madiyar Sultanbek, Deputy Chairmen of the Board of JSC "NC KAZAKH INVEST," and Mario Serpillo, President of the Italian agricultural organization Unione Coltivatori Italiani (UCI).
During the meeting, the parties discussed a potential investment project in Kazakhstan focused on cultivating and processing industrial hemp. The project would use advanced agricultural technologies to produce textiles, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals from hemp.
The Italian side shared UCI's successful experience in the industrial hemp sector in Italy. They emphasized sustainable farming practices, the development of closed-loop production systems (including oil, fiber, and biomaterials), certification and licensing systems, and collaboration with specialized research institutions in medicine, cosmetics, textiles, and construction.
© Kazakh Invest
The Kazakh side expressed strong interest in international cooperation and highlighted the high potential of the industrial hemp sector to diversify the country's agro-industrial complex—especially in areas like pharmaceuticals, bioenergy, and light industry.
As part of the proposed project, agricultural technologies will be tested in phases on land plots of up to 100 hectares in various regions of Kazakhstan, with plans for further expansion. The project will use industrial hemp varieties that meet international standards for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, no more than 0.3%. This ensures the plants have no psychoactive effects and are classified strictly as industrial raw material.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to organize a visit by a UCI delegation to Kazakhstan. During the visit, meetings will be held with representatives of government agencies and development institutions, and a potential region will be selected to launch the project.
Source: Kazakh Invest
