Economic seminar "Doing Business in Kazakhstan" was held in Oslo. The event was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Norway with the support of the EAST Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Norway (Østhandelskammeret) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (Næringslivets Hovedorganisasjon, NHO).For reference: (1) The EAST Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Norway is a dynamic non-profit organization operating across the Black Sea Region, Nordic-Baltic Countries, and the Caspian Sea Region. (2) The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise is the largest organization representing employers and businesses in Norway.From the Kazakh side, the speakers included the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Norway, Mr. Adil Tursunov and the Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan, Mr. Murat Karimsakov, from the Norwegian side, the speakers were the Ambassador Designate of Norway to Kazakhstan (with residence in Oslo), Ms. Helene Sand Andresen, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the East CCI of Norway, Mr. Ronny Solberg and the Senior Advisor of the International Department, NHO, Ms. Katarina Sætersdal.Presentations were also delivered online by the Director of the Department of International Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Erzhan Nesibkulov, the Managing Director of the Investments Facilitation Department of the JSC "NC "Kazakh Invest", Ms. Alida Tuyebekova, the Business Relations Officer of the Astana International Financial Centre, Mr. Temir Sembinov, the Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the "Baiterek" National Investment Holding, Mr. Saken Olzhabayev and the Director of Investment and Marketing Department of the JSC «Tau-Кen Samruk» National Mining Company, Ms. Assel Kydyrbekova.The seminar was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, the East CCI of Norway, the Norwegian Export Financing (EKSFIN), Norwegian companies from various sectors, as well as embassies of foreign countries accredited in Norway.During the event, conference participants positively noted the increased momentum in economic cooperation between the two countries over the past two years.For reference: (1) In December 2024, an agreement was signed between the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan and the East CCI of Norway on the establishment of a Business Council. (2) In April 2025, the first-ever meeting of the bilateral Business Council in the history of Kazakh-Norwegian relations was held in Oslo. (3) In May 2025, for the first time in recent years, a large Norwegian delegation consisting of 11 members paid a visit to Kazakhstan and also took part in the Astana International Forum 2025. (4) Mutual trade turnover between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kingdom of Norway from January to November 2025 amounted to USD 156.7 million (including exports of USD 7.1 million and imports of USD 149.6 million), which represents a 32% increase compared to the same period of the previous year (USD 118.5 million). (5) In December 2025, Norwegian "Optimar" company has signed a significant aquaculture contract, delivering harvesting equipment to a new fish farming project in Kazakhstan. (https://optimarglobal.com/en/updates/news/optimar-with-major-aquaculture-contract-in-new-market).The Norwegian participants of the seminar highly appreciated the presentation of Kazakhstan’s trade, economic, and investment potential, and during the networking sessions, they initiated a number of potential joint projects.As a result of the event, agreements were reached on the next steps to further develop bilateral economic cooperation, including holding the second meeting of the Kazakh-Norwegian Business Council in May 2026 in Astana.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-oslo/press/news/details/1149381?lang=kk

22 January 2026, Montreal, ICAO HQ. By the invitation of the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to ICAO, Mr. Timur Tlegenov, took part in an official ceremony marking the contribution of Kazakhstan’s aviation authorities in support of ICAO’s Transformational Objective and the preparation of the Aviation Needs Analysis for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). These two initiatives are flagship ICAO projects aimed at enhancing the resilience, inclusiveness and long-term sustainability of global aviation systems.The event was also attended by the Acting Director of the Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau, Mr. Miguel Marin, as well as officials of the Permanent Representation of Kazakhstan to ICAO and members of the ICAO Secretariat.In his remarks, Mr. Timur Tlegenov underlined Kazakhstan’s strong commitment to active engagement with ICAO and highlighted the country’s achievements and high performance in the field of civil aviation.The ICAO Secretary General, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, expressed his appreciation to the Kazakh side and to the Permanent Representation of Kazakhstan to ICAO for their continued support and valuable contribution to the implementation of ICAO’s priority objectives. He particularly noted the active and constructive role played by Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representation within ICAO.He also conveyed his gratitude to the leadership of Kazakhstan and emphasized the strategic importance of the establishment of the Permanent Representation to ICAO, assuring that the Secretariat stands ready to provide full support to its activities.The Republic of Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its support for ICAO’s key strategic initiatives shaping the future of international civil aviation and reaffirms its commitment to ICAO’s strategic objective of ensuring that no country is left behind.The ceremony was held in a constructive and trusting atmosphere. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kazakhstanicao/press/news/details/1149382?lang=kk

Welcoming the Israeli Foreign Minister, the President noted that the visit underscores Israel’s strong commitment to further strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Kazakhstan.During the meeting, particular attention was paid to intensifying trade, economic and scientific-technical interaction, as well as to the implementation of joint projects in the fields of artificial intelligence, agriculture and water management, among others.President Tokayev welcomed the Kazakhstan–Israel Business Forum held as part of the visit, expressing confidence that its outcomes would contribute to deepening investment ties between the two countries.Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar reaffirmed Israel’s interest in giving fresh momentum to bilateral relations and advancing cooperation to a new level.He also expressed appreciation for President Tokayev’s far-sighted decision for Kazakhstan to join the Abraham Accords, noting its positive role in promoting stability, peace and international dialogue.The Israeli Foreign Minister further commended Kazakhstan’s ongoing political and socio-economic reforms and expressed confidence in their successful implementation.The talks also included an exchange of views on key regional and international developments.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-tel-aviv/press/news/details/1149363?lang=kk

Programs to provide affordable housing to residents are being systematically implemented in Shymkent. Today, 23 families on the housing waiting list received the keys to rental apartments in the Asar-2 microdistrict. These new homes are being provided from the city's municipal housing stock. The residents include large and single-parent families, people with disabilities, parents raising special children, as well as children left without parental care and orphans. The ceremony of handing over the keys to the apartments was attended by the mayor of the city, Gabit Syzdykbekov. The head of the megalopolis noted that expanding the rental housing stock and providing citizens with housing are among the priorities being implemented in the city. The provision of shelter is being implemented in a planned manner, in compliance with established procedures and legislative requirements. This ensures transparency of the process and equal access to state support. The city administration will continue to implement measures aimed at increasing the amount of affordable housing and developing a comfortable urban environment in the future. This is in line with the instructions of the Head of State and the strategic development objectives of the city of Shymkent. Press service of the Shymkent city mayor

Amid the active development of industry and agriculture, the volume of cargo transportation in the region, including container shipments, has been increasing annually. At the same time, the region faces a shortage of containers, while the capacity of the existing freight station in Kostanay remains limited.Grain and flour transportation remains especially relevant. In September–November 2025, 1.1 million tons of grain were exported from the region — 306 thousand tons more than in the same period last year. The main volume of supplies was directed to Uzbekistan.An international transport and logistics complex “Tobyl” is under construction in Kostanay. The dry port, with a capacity of up to 400 thousand containers per year, will increase cargo transportation volumes by 20%, attract KZT 63.8 billion in investments, and create 500 new jobs, becoming an important driver of export growth in the region.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1149181?lang=kk