ALMATY REGION—PepsiCo is set to inaugurate a new potato chip manufacturing facility in Kazakhstan, representing a significant investment of $160 million, aimed at bolstering local agriculture and enhancing the economic landscape of the region.

According to Trend News Agency via Kazakh Invest, during a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov, PepsiCo executives highlighted the dual benefits of this venture: it will not only strengthen bilateral ties but also demonstrate Kazakhstan’s growing appeal to international investors. The new plant, situated in the Almaty region, is expected to generate 350 jobs and will utilize local raw materials to produce 14,000-16,000 tons of potato chips annually in its initial phase. Plans are in place to increase this capacity to 21,000 tons in the future. The completion of the first phase of the project is anticipated by 2026.

This development marks PepsiCo’s first major food production investment in Kazakhstan, with company representatives expressing their gratitude for governmental support. They emphasized that this project marks the beginning of substantial investments in the region. Furthermore, PepsiCo plans to foster active collaboration with local suppliers and expand its production capabilities to cater to both domestic and Central Asian markets.