Regional investment attractiveness of the agrarian sector: a comparative analysis of international models and Kazakhstan

The objective - is to examine international experience in enhancing regional investment attractiveness in agriculture and to substantiate its priority directions for the Republic of Kazakhstan in order to ensure sustainable positive dynamics in the agrarian sector, strengthen competitiveness, and stimulate the inflow of domestic and foreign investment into rural areas. 

Methods – the abstract-logical method, analysis and synthesis were applied to systematize the influencing factors; induction and deduction were used to identify patterns; comparative and institutional analysis, as well as statistical methods, were employed to compare models and assess investment volumes.

Results – foreign practices for stimulating investment activity in the AIC were examined, including the transformation of agro-industrial clusters, the establishment of special economic zones, agrarian industrial parks, and digital investor support services. The structure of regional investments in agro-industrial production was analyzed, disproportions in the distribution of investment flows were identified, and the main criteria influencing the level of investment activity were determined. It was demonstrated that the modernization of agro-infrastructure, specialization of production processes, the organizational and legal environment, the effectiveness of public administration, and the availability of financial resources are of decisive importance. Practice-oriented recommendations were formulated for improving investment policy, including strengthening cluster initiatives, optimizing public-private partnership mechanisms, digitalizing the investment sphere, and enhancing the role of rural development institutions.

Conclusions – the patterns of investment climate formation in agrarian regions were summarized, and the specific features of the national model were identified, taking into account sector-specific characteristics and the modernization of state support mechanisms aimed at the long-term growth of the agrarian economy. Agricultural enterprises require the implementation of scientific and technological achievements, the expansion of the cooperative movement, and the improvement of the marketing system for agricultural raw materials and food products.

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