On April 16, 2026, an educational tour on the topic: "How Artificial Intelligence and Modern Technologies Work. In Which Spheres is Artificial Intelligence Applied Today" was organized at the Oskemen Hub center in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk.The goal of the event was to introduce schoolchildren to the principles of artificial intelligence, as well as to demonstrate its role in modern society and the possibilities of its application in various industries.The tour was attended by students from the KGU "Opytnopolskaya Secondary School" of the Glubokovsky District and the KGU "Regional Specialized Boarding School-Lyceum for Gifted Children." The participants learned about the activities of the Oskemen Hub center and received important information about the trends in the development of modern technologies.During the program, the schoolchildren were told about the application of artificial intelligence in education, medicine, industry, business, and the IT sphere. Furthermore, the participants, in an interactive format, familiarized themselves with various technological solutions and received answers to their questions.Such events contribute to the development of digital literacy among youth, increase interest in new technologies, and help in choosing a future profession.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/vko-bilim/press/news/details/1203059?lang=kk

The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in line with the Prime Minister's instructions, has intensified efforts to reduce unproductive intermediation in the country's markets. The focus is on building transparent supply chains and eliminating factors contributing to unjustified price increases.On April 16, the Chairman of the Trade Committee of the MTI RK, Yernur Zhautikbayev, held an on-site cluster meeting in the city of Turkestan with the participation of market owners and administrations of trade facilities from the Turkestan, Kyzylorda, Zhambyl regions, and the city of Shymkent.As part of improving the Rules of Internal Trade at the legislative level, a distinction has been made between retail sellers and wholesale suppliers. This has streamlined the composition of participants in the procurement process and limited the involvement of unproductive intermediaries — entities that do not create added value in the supply chain but affect the final price for the consumer.The Chairman of the Committee drew special attention of market owners to the need for strict compliance with legal requirements. A key element is the mandatory conduct of activities using information systems, which must record all contracts with sellers, rental payments, and trading conditions. It is precisely the lack of transparent digital accounting that creates preconditions for distorting real turnovers, informal settlements, and the emergence of unproductive intermediaries. In this regard, control measures are primarily focused on entities ignoring work in information systems.According to Yernur Zhautikbayev, comprehensive work has already begun in markets across the country, primarily in the wholesale segment. The work involves state revenue authorities, internal affairs bodies, the antimonopoly authority, and local executive bodies, with coordination by the MTI. The application of tax administration tools is being strengthened, including the timing of trading activities, which allows for an objective comparison of actual turnovers with declared ones and the identification of signs of shadow turnover.Following control measures, territorial departments of trade and consumer rights protection issue orders to eliminate violations. Regarding non-compliance with requirements for mandatory use of information systems, administrative liability in the form of fines is provided, as well as the application of stricter response measures as established by law, up to consideration of the issue in court."The market is not a territory for opaque schemes. Every participant must operate within the legal framework. Any trading activity must be transparent and digitalized. Working outside of information systems is a direct risk zone for the shadow economy and price distortions. If market participants are not ready to work according to established rules, the state will consistently apply the entire range of response tools provided for by legislation," emphasized Yernur Zhautikbayev.In each region, regional commissions chaired by deputy akims (governors) of the regions are functioning, responsible for analyzing supply chains. At their platforms, specific supply schemes are considered, unproductive intermediaries are identified, and decisions are made to exclude them. At the same time, it was noted that in a number of regions, the work of the commissions is formal and does not yield the desired effect.Since the beginning of the year, approximately 316 meetings of regional commissions have been held across the country, resulting in the exclusion of 73 intermediary links from trade chains. The Trade Committee instructed the akimats (local administrations) to ensure the practical effectiveness of this work and strengthen control over the formation of transparent and efficient supply chains.The implementation of these measures is aimed at reducing the share of the shadow economy, forming a fair competitive environment, and ensuring fair prices for the population.Concluding his working visit to the Turkestan region, Yernur Zhautikbayev visited the stabilization fund, social stores, and a number of markets in the region. Similar on-site cluster meetings will be conducted systematically across the country's regions, covering specific territorial groups for targeted consideration of trade infrastructure and pricing issues.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1203072?lang=kk

Panevėžys, 16 April 2026 — Ambassador of Kazakhstan Timur Urazayev held a meeting with the Mayor of Panevėžys, Loreta Masilionienė.During the talks, the parties discussed bilateral and interregional cooperation between Kazakhstan and Lithuania, noting a sustained interest in expanding practical interaction at the regional level.Particular attention was paid to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and IT sectors.A separate focus of the discussion was the development of tourism, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties, contributing to deeper mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-vilnius/press/news/details/1202937?lang=kk

Do individual entrepreneurs submit Form 493-O "services"?The procedure for providing information about the services provided to third parties in accordance with the tax legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been clarified.In accordance with paragraph 6 of Article 56 of the Tax Code, organizations providing services in the field of water supply, sanitation, gas, electricity and heat supply, waste collection, elevator maintenance, and transportation are required to provide information about the services provided to third parties to the tax authorities at their location.This information is provided electronically no later than the 10th day of the month following the reporting quarter.In accordance with civil law, third parties are persons who are not parties to the obligation. In the field of transportation, a third party is considered to be a person who directly receives a service under a transportation or forwarding contract.According to the Rules approved by the Order of the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated September 30, 2025 No. 554, the obligation to provide "information on services rendered to third parties" (Form 493-O "services") is assigned to organizations engaged in relevant activities.In addition, in accordance with the Civil Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, organizations include legal entities. And individual entrepreneurs are not legal entities.In this regard, individual entrepreneurs, including those providing services in the field of cargo transportation, are not required to provide Form 493-O "services".In accordance with subparagraph 5) of paragraph 2 of Article 22 of the Administrative Procedural Procedure Code, persons have the right to appeal against decisions taken or actions (inaction) of officials in accordance with the procedure established by law.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-kostanay/press/news/details/1202958?lang=kk

✅ A seminar for participants in foreign economic activity and customs representatives (brokers) was held at the “Aktau – Customs Clearance Center” customs post of the Department of State Revenues for Mangystau Region.The meeting took place in an open and constructive format. Business representatives and customs officers discussed practical issues, the latest changes in legislation, and measures to prevent corruption offences.🔹 Key topics of the seminar:New information system “KEDEN” (keden.kgd.gov.kz) — a modern digital platform for customs clearance. It simplifies the submission of declarations, makes processes more transparent, faster, and more convenient. It is available online from anywhere, with a user-friendly interface, helpful prompts, and a customs calculator.Procedure and rules for customs brokers at temporary storage warehouses (TSW / SVH) — current requirements for the work of representatives during the placement, storage of goods, and further customs clearance.Other innovations in the customs legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Prevention of corruption offences — important measures to increase transparency and ensure compliance with anti-corruption standards in the customs sphere.At the end of the seminar, special attention was given to the republican campaign of the Committee of State Revenues “People’s Accountant” — free advisory assistance for individual entrepreneurs and small business entities. The campaign will continue until June 30, 2026. Specialists help with the application of the norms of the new Tax Code and accounting.Participants actively asked questions, analyzed real cases, and received detailed explanations from DSR experts.Such seminars strengthen trust between business and the state, promote transparency of processes, and help conduct foreign economic activity more effectively.📌 The Department of State Revenues for Mangystau Region continues its work on the digitalization of customs, corruption prevention, and support for entrepreneurs in the region.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-mangistau/press/news/details/1202922?lang=kk