The Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC (a subsidiary of the Baiterek Holding, hereinafter – DBK, the Bank) organized a press tour for media representatives and local council deputies from the Karasai district to one of the country’s leading manufacturing enterprises – RG Brands Kazakhstan.
In his address “Kazakhstan in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Current Challenges and Solutions through Digital Transformation,” the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined clear strategic priorities such as developing the manufacturing industry and reducing raw material dependence, stimulating non-resource exports and introducing “green” technologies, as well as supporting domestic producers and strengthening food security.
RG Brands Kazakhstan is a vivid example of how these Presidential objectives are being implemented. Founded in 1994, the company is now a leader in Kazakhstan in the production of juices, water, carbonated drinks, milk, and tea, and is a major exporter: about 20% of its products are supplied to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, China, and Tajikistan.
Today, the company includes a modern complex in the Almaty region, production facilities in Almaty and Kostanay, as well as the first plant in Kazakhstan producing long-life ultra-pasteurized milk. Last year, the company completed the construction of another plant, Aksengir-2, implemented with the support of DBK. The total investment in the project exceeded USD 33 million.
“From a strategic perspective, we understood that DBK was the best choice for developing our export potential. The Bank provided not only financial but also methodological and systemic support. The project succeeded precisely thanks to the combination of these factors,” noted Timur Kaltaev, Chairman of the Management Board of RG Brands.
The plant has created 600 permanent jobs, and within the project, a new hot-filling line was introduced, allowing the production of preservative-free beverages with improved taste and shelf life while reducing the weight of plastic bottles and the overall environmental footprint.
Participants of the press tour learned about the project and toured the plant, where representatives of DBK and RG Brands spoke about the company’s activities and its long-standing cooperation with the Bank.
This modern Kazakhstani enterprise is pursuing a course toward digitalization: it operates high-tech equipment acquired in part through syndicated financing with DBK’s support.
The production process actively integrates green solutions, including initiatives to reduce plastic use, lower water consumption, and improve energy efficiency – fully aligning with the sustainability agenda announced by the President.
The partnership between DBK and RG Brands began back in 2008 with an investment loan to build a new beverage production plant. In 2016, the Bank provided the company with pre-export financing. In 2024, the parties signed a syndicated loan agreement to expand production and increase exports.
With the support of DBK, the company was able to invest in high-tech equipment, boost production volumes, and strengthen its market position both domestically and abroad.
“Cooperation with RG Brands aligns with DBK’s key strategic objectives, which include supporting the manufacturing industry, stimulating non-resource exports, and developing regional economies. Thus, the Bank’s support contributes to creating additional jobs, increasing tax revenues, modernizing production facilities, and strengthening the country’s food security,” emphasised Assel Shitenova, Senior Banker of the Client Relations Directorate of the Development Bank of Kazakhstan.
Notably, to provide financing for RG Brands Kazakhstan, the first syndicated loan agreement in Kazakhstan was signed last year between DBK, Nurbank, and Bank CenterCredit. This project enabled the company to continue investing in the expansion of its production capacity and enhancing the export potential of its products.
The total financing amounted to 26.5 billion tenge, of which 12.5 billion were allocated for expanding production capacity and 14 billion for pre-export financing. The funds were used to purchase new high-tech production lines, expand the manufacturing plant, and increase export volumes.
The cooperation between the company and DBK is a clear example of how effective partnership between the state and business, along with DBK’s financial instruments, helps domestic brands enter new markets and achieve tangible positive outcomes, both for the company and for the national economy as a whole.
