Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Establishing yourself in Kazakhstan is not just about signing an employment contract or starting a company. In this country where personal relationships often carry more weight than contracts, the quality of your network can be the difference between a stalled project and a skyrocketing career. For an expatriate, understanding how this web of contacts is woven, where to build it, and with which cultural codes, has become a genuine strategic advantage.
Over 50,000 foreign companies are already established in Kazakhstan, illustrating the country’s economic attractiveness.
This article provides a very concrete roadmap for an expatriate to develop a strong professional network in Kazakhstan, combining in-person meetings, digital platforms, and an understanding of local codes.
Understanding the Playing Field: A Country That Is Both High-Tech and Relational
Kazakhstan is often described as a bridge between East and West, and this oft-repeated phrase reflects a reality that directly impacts your networking approach. Economically, the country is both a raw materials giant and a bubbling digital laboratory.
The economy still largely relies on oil, gas, and the mining sector, with major fields like Tengiz and Kashagan. But the state has an ambitious diversification strategy: strong growth in IT, digital, and fintech; investments in renewable energy; and development of a knowledge-based economy. The IT sector already represents hundreds of millions of dollars and is set to climb to several billion by 2029. The country has about 100,000 IT professionals and graduates roughly 50,000 students annually in scientific and technical fields.
Nearly 89% of retail trade turnover is generated by digital payments.
For an expatriate, this means two things. First, there are many promising sectors for professional networking: energy, IT, fintech, smart agriculture, industry, construction, logistics, healthcare, and even tourism or creative industries. Second, the networking culture operates on two complementary levels: a very traditional dimension, based on personal trust and hierarchy, and an ultra-digital dimension, where LinkedIn, tech communities, and specialized conferences play an increasingly important role.
A Country of Events, Trade Shows, and Forums
Kazakhstan also stands out for the intensity of its event life. Over fifty international exhibitions are held annually between March and November, in cities like Astana, Almaty, Atyrau, Shymkent, Pavlodar, or Karaganda. These trade shows are not just showcases: they are designed as true meeting platforms, where you save time by concentrating in a few days meetings that would have required weeks of travel.
Local organizers, such as Iteca and Astana-Expo KS, manage about 30 international exhibitions and conferences annually. Many foreign companies attest that their participation facilitated meeting key decision-makers, initiating partnerships, identifying distributors, or signing major contracts. The effectiveness is notable: at some trade shows, nearly half of exhibitors report having collected between 100 and 150 qualified contacts in just a few days.
For an expatriate, these numbers are valuable: they prove that events are one of the most effective channels for quickly developing a targeted address book.
Kazakhstan is not monolithic. Each major city has its own economic DNA and, therefore, its own networking codes.
Astana: Political Capital, Hub of Forums and IT
Astana (also referred to as Nur-Sultan in some documents) is the political and administrative heart of the country, but also a hub of innovation. It is home to the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) – a stronghold for finance and fintech operating under Anglo-Saxon law – as well as Astana Hub, the major national technology cluster.
Astana Hub, launched in 2018, has already supported over 500 startups and organized more than 1,000 events bringing together over 100,000 participants from around the world. Its programs (accelerator, tech meetups, Investor Connect, etc.) offer expatriates direct access to local founders, investors, and developers. Its director, Rustam Tazhenov, sums up the challenge well: without networking, there is no high-performing startup ecosystem.
This forum played a decisive role in concluding strategic partnerships for his company.
CEO of Troff.io
Astana is also the stage for major multi-sector exhibitions: trade shows on energy, construction, security, healthcare, education, transport, enterprise technologies… From mining congresses to the Business Technology Expo, the city functions as a permanent stage for professional meetings.
Almaty: Economic Capital, Finance and Tech, Anchored in the Informal
Almaty remains the major financial, cultural, and commercial center of the country. It generates about one-fifth of the national GDP and stands out for its very dense fabric of SMEs, startups, and subsidiaries of multinationals. Business districts like Bostandyk or areas around the Esentai Tower bring together headquarters, banks, investment funds, consulting firms, and service companies.
Almaty’s tech scene is animated by active communities like Almaty Tech Meetups, TechCentral Asia, and IT Women Community, as well as former developer circles. It is notably marked by the annual Go Viral festival, which blends technology and culture and has already attracted over 6,000 participants in one edition. According to surveys, more than 80% of participants in Almaty Tech Meetups have established useful professional relationships there.
The atmosphere there is generally perceived as more open and friendly than in Astana. Meetings often extend beyond the office: cafes, bars, sports centers, hikes in the Alatau mountains on weekends… All are informal contexts where an expatriate can consolidate connections made in a more formal professional setting.
Atyrau, Shymkent, Karaganda: Sectoral Hubs Not to Be Overlooked
Other cities also deserve attention. Atyrau is the heart of the oil industry, and many expatriates are sent there on assignment. Shymkent is a fast-growing industrial and agricultural hub, while Karaganda is a historic center of mining and metallurgy. Each of these cities hosts specialized events – oil exhibitions, mining congresses, agricultural shows – where an expatriate’s participation allows quick entry into contact with the dominant players in a sector.
Fully Leveraging Trade Shows and Conferences
To structure their networking strategy, an expatriate is well-advised to integrate the major sectoral events in Kazakhstan. They offer rare access to a mix of local decision-makers, officials, regional investors, and international suppliers.
Major Tech and Business Events
Foremost among tech events is a major gathering: GITEX CENTRAL ASIA & CAUCASUS x Ai Everything Kazakhstan, which transforms Astana into a “digital capital” for a week. The program mixes government summits, startup showcases, investor roundtables, and thematic exhibitions (artificial intelligence, cloud, cybersecurity, fintech, digital services, smart cities, infrastructure, etc.).
This event brings together political decision-makers (ministers), international investors, unicorn founders, tech hub leaders (like Astana Hub), and regional buyers from nearly 90 countries, which already constitute export markets for Kazakh startups. Participating, even as a visitor, allows for quickly mapping the ecosystem, identifying key contacts, and observing the political and regulatory trends shaping the future of digital in the region.
Another strategic event: the Business Technology Expo (BTE), an international trade show dedicated to business automation and digitization. The recent edition gathered over 4,500 visitors, 80 speakers, thematic conferences, and an audience mixing executives, technical directors, buyers, and state representatives. Nearly half of exhibitors say they collected between 100 and 150 targeted contacts there.
Several participant testimonials illustrate the value of this type of trade show: a marketing manager for a messaging solution stated they left with about 150 qualified leads, enough to justify participating again, while other companies praise the quality of visitors, the relevance of the program, and the ability of these trade shows to condense into two or three days meetings that would have taken weeks to organize individually.
Sectoral Trade Shows: Positioning Yourself in the Right Place
Beyond tech, Kazakhstan offers a dense calendar of thematic trade shows: agriculture, energy, construction, water, pharmaceuticals, tourism, transport, industrial safety, beauty, agri-food, mining equipment, etc. They are spread across the country, often at the EXPO International Exhibition Centre in Astana, the Atakent in Almaty, or in regional exhibition centers.
For an expatriate, it is crucial to carefully select professional trade shows based on their industry and specific goals. This can include identifying potential clients, searching for distribution partners, exploring the local job market, competitive intelligence, or making contact with administrations and chambers of commerce. Effectiveness lies in the relevance of the choice, not the quantity of events attended.
Good advance preparation – scheduling meetings via trade show apps, identifying present professional associations, noting conferences – can turn a visit into a true intensive networking operation.
What the Numbers Say About Trade Show Effectiveness
Organizers and exhibiting companies provide interesting data that should influence an expatriate’s strategy:
| Indicator | Data Observed at Major Trade Shows |
|---|---|
| Proportion of exhibitors obtaining >100–150 targeted contacts | ~46% at some tech trade shows |
| Number of countries represented | Up to 12 for B2B events |
| Number of Kazakh cities represented | About 30 at some trade shows |
| Dominant profiles among visitors | Executives, technical directors, buyers, public representatives |
These figures confirm that a well-targeted trade show can represent, in a few days, several months of traditional prospecting. For a newly arrived expatriate, it is an accelerator of legitimacy and visibility.
Relying on the Ecosystem of Hubs, Communities, and Associations
Kazakhstan has bet on ecosystem structures to boost its attractiveness. For an expatriate, these organizations are natural gateways: they facilitate integration, help understand local issues, and provide an environment for qualified meetings.
Astana Hub: The Must for Tech and Innovation
Located in the capital, Astana Hub plays the role of national digital cluster. It concentrates startups, investors, major tech groups, public institutions, and foreign partners like Yandex or Huawei. In a few years, it has become a symbol of Kazakh ambition in IT and AI.
An expatriate active in tech can find there: a dynamic environment fostering innovation, career opportunities in cutting-edge technology companies, as well as an international network of professionals. Furthermore, they can benefit from a competitive salary and attractive advantages, while exploring a rich and diverse local culture.
– thematic meetups (cloud, AI, cybersecurity, fintech, govtech, etc.);
– acceleration and soft-landing programs for foreign startups;
– matchmaking events between founders and investors (Investor Connect);
– conferences and workshops on the regulatory framework, intellectual property, tax incentives, or export.
The frequency of events in this ecosystem allows for rich encounters between various actors (public decision-makers, entrepreneurs, foreign delegations, mentors). Regular participation can lead to a decisive acceleration of projects, as some expatriates testify.
Tech Communities: Almaty Tech Meetups, TechCentral Asia, IT Women Community, TechHive
In Almaty, several communities structure the landscape:
– Almaty Tech Meetups, which regularly cover web, mobile, UX/UI, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship. In an internal survey, over 80% of participants felt these meetings allowed them to forge meaningful connections.
– TechCentral Asia, which organizes over 50 events per year: hackathons, pitch competitions, workshops. Members explain that their career took a turn thanks to contacts made there.
– IT Women Community, a network of over 1,500 members in major cities, dedicated to empowering women in tech through mentorship, workshops, and leadership programs. For expatriate women, it is a particularly powerful channel to access often informal networks.
– TechHive Kazakhstan, focused on CleanTech, bootcamps, and hackathons on green technologies.
These structures provide environments where an expatriate can, without excessive formality, introduce themselves, propose a conference, sign up as a mentor, or simply listen and understand the concerns of local actors.
Professional Associations and Chambers of Commerce: Structuring Channels
The country is also very rich in sectoral associations: oil and gas, mining, energy and renewables, construction, agri-food, IT, logistics, healthcare, industry… Each plays a role in representing its members’ interests, lobbying the state, organizing conferences, and disseminating regulatory information.
For an expatriate, joining these structures allows:
– meeting established actors in their sector;
– understanding regulatory priorities;
– obtaining recommendations and introductions to decision-makers;
– being invited to restricted-access events (working groups, committees, missions abroad).
In parallel, international chambers of commerce (American, European, etc.) organize lunches, roundtables, mentorship or internship programs. The American Chamber of Commerce, for example, offers an internship program connecting seasoned professionals with young talent and regularly organizes events bringing together local and international leaders.
Not Neglecting Expatriate Communities and International Clubs
Limiting oneself exclusively to local networks would be a mistake. Kazakhstan is home to a dense mesh of expatriate communities that serve both as informal support and relays to the business world.
InterNations, International Clubs, and Expatriate Circles
InterNations, presented as the largest global platform for expatriates, is very active in Kazakhstan, particularly in Astana and Almaty. The local community organizes monthly events – after-work gatherings, dinners, cultural activities – which often bring together qualified profiles, including a significant proportion of senior executives. Testimonials from members emphasize that this structure greatly facilitated their acclimatization.
In major cities like the capital and Almaty, discover influential circles blending professional networking and social life.
Social and professional circles for women, fostering international exchange and personal development.
Frequented by executives of large companies, they organize events with a professional vocation and social activities.
Bringing together embassy representatives and executives of international institutions for targeted exchanges and events.
These circles are sometimes perceived as an “expat cocoon”, but used intelligently, they become springboards to Kazakh networks, especially when joint events are organized with chambers of commerce or local associations.
Mentorship Programs and Support Structures
Several mentorship initiatives directly target international professionals or graduates of foreign universities returning to settle in Kazakhstan. Programs co-organized by educational institutions or foreign representations have, for example, connected experienced graduates with young professionals to transmit codes, contacts, and useful reflexes for navigating the local business world.
For an expatriate, engaging in a mentorship relationship (as a mentor or mentee) is an effective strategy to increase visibility, build lasting trust-based relationships, and integrate into a community of practice. This approach is all the more relevant as some large local groups have formalized internal programs, for example by pairing seasoned engineers or managers (sometimes with 30 years of experience in a sector like oil and gas) with younger collaborators. These programs constitute an excellent opportunity to quickly expand one’s internal professional network upon arrival at a Kazakh company.
Fully Exploiting Digital Platforms, Without Forgetting Local Codes
While face-to-face meetings remain central, Kazakhstan is also a very connected country. Understanding the local digital landscape helps choose the right tools to become visible and maintain your network.
LinkedIn: A Still Underutilized Tool… Therefore with High Potential
The country has about 1.6 to 1.7 million LinkedIn users, a niche compared to mastodons like Instagram, TikTok, or Telegram. Yet, for tech, HR, consulting, international manager, or multinational executive profiles, LinkedIn is a strategic tool.
Data shows that:
| LinkedIn Indicator in Kazakhstan | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Number of users | 1.4 to 1.7 million |
| Share of population | About 7–8% |
| Dominant age group | 25–34 years (> 50%) |
| Second age group | 18–24 years (~ 30%) |
Usage there is more selective but potentially more qualitative. Many recruiters and tech managers explain that they rely heavily on LinkedIn to build their teams or source talent. One of them, active in cloud, emphasizes, for example, that it is his main channel for identifying IT profiles in Kazakhstan and internationally.
For an expatriate, the priority is therefore to: adapt to a new environment, understand the local culture, and establish social relationships.
To effectively develop one’s professional network in Kazakhstan, it is recommended to optimize one’s LinkedIn profile in English and, if possible, in Russian or Kazakh. It is necessary to join targeted groups (IT, energy, finance…), regularly publish analyses of the local market, experience feedback, and case studies. Connecting with influential actors (investors, founders, hub executives, association leaders) and highlighting participation in physical trade shows and events to extend exchanges are also key actions.
Research on LinkedIn’s impact shows that frequency of use and quality of interactions play a more important role than the raw number of connections. Regular use, even passive (monitoring, moderate participation in discussions), significantly improves the perception of opportunities.
Other Networks: Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, Facebook, VKontakte
Kazakhstan is one of the most connected countries in the region: over 90% of the population has internet access, 100% of households have a mobile phone, and a vast majority of internet users go online via smartphone. Over 15 million people regularly use social networks.
From a strictly professional point of view, LinkedIn occupies a niche, but other platforms can indirectly serve networking:
Telegram is a major channel for professional communities and announcements. Instagram and TikTok dominate among young professionals and SMEs. Facebook remains important for an older and affluent audience, including executives and expatriates. VKontakte and Odnoklassniki are still used to reach regional or older audiences.
An expatriate’s strategy then consists of choosing 1 or 2 complementary platforms to LinkedIn, depending on their sector and city of location, to maintain a coherent presence there: share highlights of their participation in trade shows, publish summaries in Russian or Kazakh (via professional translation or supervised AI tools), show concrete projects carried out in Kazakhstan.
Mastering Cultural Codes: The Decisive Factor
Kazakhstan is a highly hierarchical and collectivist society, where notions of respect, loyalty, and patience dominate. To develop a professional network, understanding these codes is at least as important as knowing the list of good events.
Relationship Before Transaction
Kazakh culture favors long-term relationships over one-off deals. A partner is expected to be reliable, patient, and willing to invest time in building trust. Business decisions are not made solely by analyzing an Excel spreadsheet: they are also forged by observing your behavior, your consistency, how you treat your interlocutors and their team.
Concretely, this implies:
– not rushing negotiations;
– accepting several meetings before directly addressing the most sensitive topics;
– being available for invitations outside the office (dinners, outings, cultural visits);
– showing sincere interest in the family, health, and personal life of your interlocutors – subjects considered essential in conversation.
In meetings, spending time on “small talk” (informal discussions about daily life, family, or light topics) is crucial. Skipping it is perceived as disrespectful. These exchanges, although seemingly trivial, create a climate of trust and gradually open the way to more substantial and productive discussions.
Respect for Hierarchy and Sense of Collectivism
The social structure remains largely hierarchical. One greets the oldest or highest-ranking person first, avoids contradicting a superior in public, and pays particular attention to outward signs of respect: polite formulas, posture, gaze, seat at the table, order of speaking.
Important decisions are made at the top, sometimes after lengthy internal consultations. Identifying the true decision-maker is therefore a priority. Intermediate interlocutors can become valuable allies, but it is illusory to hope to conclude an important agreement without having convinced the person who, in the hierarchy, holds formal or informal power.
In this environment, an expatriate benefits from:
To succeed in a professional context, especially an international one, it is crucial to pay attention to presentation by adopting a sober and professional attire, even in sectors like tech where casual style is common. It is also recommended to prepare bilingual business cards (English/Russian, and possibly Kazakh) that clearly indicate your title. Finally, in meetings, ensure you are accompanied by a team whose level of experience and seniority matches that of your interlocutors.
Hospitality, Gifts, and Socialization
Hospitality is a cardinal value. It is common for a business relationship to continue around a table, with tea, traditional dishes, sometimes lengthy toasts. Systematically refusing this type of invitation on the pretext of a too-busy schedule would be misinterpreted. On the contrary, these moments are opportunities to transform a simple contact into a trust-based relationship.
It is also acceptable to bring a small gift on a first visit: a book, a specialty from your country, chocolates… Nothing too expensive, at the risk of being perceived as an inappropriate gesture. In the same spirit, offering a small item with your company’s colors (pen, notebook, pin) at the end of a first meeting can leave a positive impression.
Informal meetings – weekend outings, extending meetings over a meal, invitations to cultural events – should be seen not as “extras” but as full-fledged places for network building.
Building a Personal Networking Strategy
Once the context is established, it remains to articulate all these elements into an actionable strategy for an expatriate.
Mapping Your Goals and Playing Fields
The first step is to clarify what you are really looking for:
– a job in a local or international company based in Kazakhstan;
– clients for a consulting firm or freelance activity;
– industrial partners or distributors for a product;
– investors for a startup;
– or simply better integration into an existing professional environment.
According to professional profile, the channels and cities to prioritize in Kazakhstan differ. A SaaS entrepreneur will focus on Astana Hub, Digital Bridge, Almaty Tech Meetups, TechCentral Asia, Go Viral, and LinkedIn. An oil and gas expert will target Atyrau, mining and energy congresses, professional associations in the sector, and chambers of commerce. A management consultant will aim for business clubs, bilateral chambers, economic forums, and networks of experienced expatriates.
Intelligently Combining In-Person and Digital
An effective strategy in Kazakhstan rarely relies on all-in-person or all-digital. It is rather a permanent back-and-forth between:
– regular participation in targeted events (trade shows, meetups, forums, workshops);
– valuing that participation and maintaining connections on LinkedIn, Telegram, and, possibly, other networks;
– systematic follow-up with contacts met (personalized messages, coffee proposals, sharing useful articles, invitations to other events).
A simple but effective scheme is to: simplify complex ideas to make them accessible to everyone.
To fully benefit from a strategic event, proceed methodically: first identify a key event for your sector. In advance, identify important participants via LinkedIn and organizer websites, then request a few meetings or signal your presence. During the event, be active by asking questions in sessions, chatting in the corridors, and systematically visiting relevant booths. After the event, highlight your presence on LinkedIn via a post summarizing key points, publicly thanking and tagging some speakers. Finally, within 48 hours, send a personalized follow-up message to each person met, mentioning a specific element from your exchange.
Cultivating Patience, Consistency, and Reputation
In an environment where reputation is a precious asset, sometimes even more than a brilliant resume, the expatriate must ensure to:
– keep their commitments (call back when promised, send announced documents, respect deadlines);
– avoid changing direction or discourse too often;
– be discreet on sensitive topics (politics, geopolitics, identity issues);
– adopt a “service” approach: offer help, share useful information, connect people within your network.
Over time, this attitude creates a capital of trust that opens far more doors than any business card.
Conclusion: In Kazakhstan, Networking Is a High-Yield Investment
Developing your professional network in Kazakhstan is not reduced to collecting business cards during a few cocktails. It is a process that mobilizes as much cultural intelligence as digital skills, as much on-the-ground presence as the ability to maintain connections over the long term.
Participation in a professional trade show can generate over 100 targeted contacts.
For an expatriate, the question is therefore not whether it is possible to build a network in Kazakhstan, but how to do it intelligently. By combining understanding of local codes, active presence in hubs and trade shows, strategic use of LinkedIn and online communities, and accepting that trust is built over time, the network quickly becomes the main asset for transforming a simple expatriation into a truly sustainable professional project.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. We encourage you to consult qualified experts before making any investment, real estate, or expatriation decisions. Although we strive to maintain up-to-date and accurate information, we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the proposed content. As investment and expatriation involve risks, we disclaim any liability for potential losses or damages arising from the use of this site. Your use of this site confirms your acceptance of these terms and your understanding of the associated risks.
Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
