Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Wisconsin companies with expertise in water pumps, filtration systems, and digital water control systems may find opportunities there.
Kazakhstan’s economy has grown steadily over the past three decades since it declared independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia, driven primarily by the extraction and export of its vast natural resources, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation. It is also a key transportation hub between Europe and Asia, in spite of challenges from geopolitical tensions and global disruptions.
However, water shortages are posing an increasing threat to the country’s economy, its population, and even its national security, according to Eurasianet. At other times, floods have left extensive damage to the land and the economy.
A 2021 report by the United Nations Development Program said Kazakhstan already has experienced water shortages. It cited forecasts that by 2040, the country may face significant shortfalls amounting to as much as 50% of its needs. The report said conditions such as river runoff, extensive use of irrigation, and outdated infrastructure are largely to blame, but they have been exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
For example, one day in August 2019, residents of the city of Uralsk awoke to learn that they had no drinking water because the Ural River’s depth had dropped to record low levels. Then in 2024, Kazakhstan experienced its worst floods in 80 years—catastrophic events that displaced more than 177,000 people, inundated 6,000 homes, and caused extensive infrastructure damage and economic losses.
In response to the growing problems, the government established a new ministry of water resources and irrigation in September 2023 with plans to build 42 new water reservoirs throughout the country within five years, according to Eurasianet. A flood mitigation project is also in the works, including an early warning system that is being tested.
The expansion of water resources and the renovation of existing facilities create potential opportunities for Wisconsin companies, particularly in the field of water technology. Demand for water-saving technologies is increasing, especially in agriculture, which is the largest consumer of water. Wisconsin companies specializing in digital water management, drip irrigation, and wastewater technology may benefit from these developments.
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