KAZAKH INVEST and AVL Agree to Collaborate on Establishing a Vehicle Testing and Certification Center in Kazakhstan
In Astana, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Austrian company AVL List GmbH, Kazakh engineering firm LLP IAS, and JSC "NC KAZAKH INVEST." The document was signed by Chairman of the Board of KAZAKH INVEST Yerzhan Yelekeyev, Regional Business Development Director of AVL List GmbH Ulfrid Erbar, and Business Development Director of LLP IAS Daniyar Bolat.
The parties agreed to jointly develop a project to establish a national testing and certification center for motor vehicles in Kazakhstan. The project envisions the construction of a state-of-the-art laboratory and testing ground to conduct all necessary tests and certifications of vehicles and components in compliance with international UNECE and Euro standards. The estimated investment volume is approximately €40 million.
The implementation of the project will significantly reduce the domestic automotive industry's dependence on foreign certification centers and accelerate the entry of Kazakh products into the EU, Middle East, and CIS markets. The center will serve both Kazakh manufacturers and OEMs from Central Asia and beyond.
Yerzhan Yelekeyev, Chairman of the Board of KAZAKH INVEST, stated:
“Kazakhstan has great potential for hosting high-tech production, and it is especially important now to develop supporting infrastructure. The certification and testing center planned in partnership with AVL and IAS will be a systemic step forward for the entire automotive sector. This project brings deep multiplier effects — it creates engineering jobs, stimulates exports, reduces certification costs, and most importantly, opens doors for localization within global supply chains. We welcome the involvement of technological leaders such as AVL and are ready to support the project through all stages.”
The project also includes the development of engineering training programs in cooperation with Kazakh universities and the advancement of applied research in the automotive sector.
The signing of the memorandum marks an important milestone in strengthening industrial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Austria, and in positioning Kazakhstan as a technological platform in the regional automotive industry.
Background:
AVL List GmbH is one of the world’s leading companies in automotive technology development and testing. Founded in 1948 in Austria, it operates in 26 countries, manages 45 global engineering and tech centers, holds more than 2,200 patents, and invests 11% of its €1.9 billion annual turnover in R&D. AVL partners with companies such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Geely, and others.
