Abstract
The article examines the role of the “Qyzyljar” Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as an instrument of state regional policy in the development of Kazakhstan’s border territories. The study aims to assess the potential, limitations, and development prospects of the SEZ located in the North Kazakhstan region bordering the Russian Federation. A comprehensive methodological approach was applied, including comparative analysis, SWOT analysis, and an integrated efficiency assessment model. The “Qyzyljar” SEZ was compared with other special economic zones in Kazakhstan according to key indicators such as investment attractiveness, export orientation, sectoral diversification, infrastructure development, and employment impact. The findings demonstrate that the region’s strategic geographical position, agro-industrial potential, and state support create favorable conditions for the formation of an industrial and logistics hub for cross-border cooperation. At the same time, several challenges were identified, including insufficient economic diversification, limited infrastructure capacity, shortages of qualified labor, and institutional barriers. Based on the results of the study, recommendations are proposed for improving SEZ governance mechanisms, developing human capital, modernizing infrastructure, and strengthening cross-border economic cooperation. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the development of a methodological approach to assessing the effectiveness of border-region special economic zones while taking into account spatial and geo-economic factors.