On May 12 of this year, a seminar on smoking prevention and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle was conducted by K. Sundikov, the Ethics Commissioner of the Kostanay Region Akim's Office, together with A. Sadvokasova, the head of the "Jastar MED" Youth Health Center.Employees of the regional Akim's office and regional departments took part in the seminar. The participants received consultations, informational booklets, and reviewed a presentation.The speaker discussed the harm of smoking tobacco, electronic cigarettes (vapes), and their components—nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide—on the human body, people around them, including pregnant women and underage children.The risk of asthma and chronic bronchitis increases. The organs of the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular and nervous systems are affected. Men's sexual function and women's reproductive function decrease. The speaker also informed about myths related to "light" cigarettes.During the meeting, employees were able to take rapid tests to determine cholesterol and sugar levels, and measure their blood pressure.         Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1218121?lang=kk

The requirement for the "Made in Kazakhstan" labeling now applies not only to retail chains but also to online platforms. The Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan is strengthening the rules for promoting domestic goods both in offline retail and e-commerce. Marketplaces will be required to implement mandatory mechanisms for the priority display of Kazakhstani products in search results and to create separate "Made in Kazakhstan" sections. Currently, the package of relevant legislative amendments is undergoing coordination procedures with interested state bodies. This was stated by the Acting Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aizhan Bijanova, at the round table "Promotion of the national brand 'Made in Kazakhstan' in retail chains."The new requirements are part of a broader state policy to support domestic producers. Legislation already mandates a mandatory share of Kazakhstani goods in retail outlets. Today, it constitutes at least 30 percent of the assortment. An additional up to 20 percent of shelf space can be allocated through support programs involving the "Damu" fund. In total, domestic products can occupy up to half of a store's assortment."At the same time, it is no less important for the buyer to see the domestic product. Therefore, the legislation establishes requirements not only for the quantity but also for the quality of the display of domestic products. Products from domestic manufacturers should be placed in visually and physically accessible locations at the buyer's eye level. This is the so-called 'golden shelf.' It is from this shelf that the buyer takes the product first. I think the Kazakhstani producer has the right to this place," noted Aizhan Bijanova.The effectiveness of such approaches is confirmed by the results of an experiment by the National Analytical Center at Nazarbayev University. Together with the Magnum retail chain, researchers tested behavioral tools to promote Kazakhstani cheeses. The project was implemented with methodological support from the British company Behavioural Insights Team, specializing in behavioral science.The stores used simple visual solutions: banners, shelf dividers, stickers, shelf strips, and audio announcements emphasizing the "Made in Kazakhstan" labeling. The experiment took place in a real shopping environment over four weeks.The result exceeded international benchmarks. Sales of Kazakhstani cheese in the pilot stores increased by 20 percent. For comparison: the global average effect of similar behavioral tools is estimated at about 8 percent."We decided to test behavioral tools in the Kazakhstani context using cheese as an example. Cheese is on the list of basic food products, yet it has a high share of imports (47%). In just 4 weeks of the experiment, sales of Kazakhstani cheese in the pilot stores increased by 20%! This is a very high indicator. Our experiment proves that Kazakhstani people are ready to show 'economic patriotism'; they just need help making this choice in the store, that is, making the product more recognizable and visible," noted Saltanat Dzhanenova, Director of the Center for Public Administration and Behavioral Public Policy of the NAC.The Ministry is also strengthening control over compliance with the requirements. Appeals about violations of the legislation can serve as grounds for unscheduled inspections. Fines are provided for restricting access of domestic goods to retail networks, failure to comply with instructions, and violation of terms of work with suppliers.In parallel, the MTI is preparing new legislative changes. It is planned to introduce the concept of an "unproductive intermediary," strengthen control over trade barriers, and enshrine the obligation of retail outlets to provide domestic producers with access to retail space when vacancies are available.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1218105?lang=kk

Ljubljana, May 12, 2026 – The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Slovenia, Altay Abibullayev, held the meeting with the Director General of the Slovenian Tourist Board, Ms. Maja Pak Olaj, on issues related to the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism. Particular attention was paid to the promotion of the tourist potential of Kazakhstan in the European direction, to the expansion of contacts between the tourist companies of the two countries, as well as to the development of business and event tourism.During the conversation, the Kazakh diplomat introduced measures to support the tourism industry of Kazakhstan, including the development of infrastructure, the promotion of ecological, cultural and ethnotourism, as well as the holding of international profile exhibitions, including the largest tourist exhibition of Central Asia – the Kazakhstan International Tourism Fair (KITF) in Almaty. It was noted that KITF annually brings together hundreds of companies and representatives of the tourism industry from dozens of countries around the world and serves as an important platform for international dialogue and the promotion of new tourist destinations.The Ambassador of Kazakhstan proposed to consider the possibility of signing a memorandum of cooperation between Kazakh Tourism and the Slovenian Tourist Board in order to activate the exchange of experience, the joint promotion of tourist products and the expansion of partnership relations between representatives of the industry. An initiative was also put forward to hold a business breakfast with the participation of Slovenian tourist companies in Rogaška-Slatina to discuss the prospects of cooperation and the presentation of tourism opportunities in Kazakhstan.For her part, Maja Pak Olaj supported the initiatives of the Kazakh side and expressed interest in the development of direct contacts between the tourist organizations of the two countries. It was emphasized that the Slovenian Tourist Board is engaged in the promotion of Slovenia as a sustainable, ecological and high-quality tourist destination, paying special attention to the development of "green" and boutique tourism.The parties noted a significant potential for expanding tourist exchanges between Kazakhstan and Slovenia. It was emphasized that the majority of foreign tourists in Slovenia are guests from the countries of the European Union, and the country itself receives about 6 million tourists annually thanks to the active promotion of natural, health and cultural tourism.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-ljubljana/press/news/details/1218005?lang=kk

A student of Almaty Management University, Darina Zhanysbay, has become the first student in Kazakhstan to obtain the international ACCA «Finance and Business Management» diploma under the Dual Award programme - one of the most prestigious professional achievements in the fields of finance, accounting, and auditing.The ACCA qualification is widely regarded as one of the most challenging milestones in professional development within finance and audit. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants unites professionals from more than 180 countries, and its qualifications are recognized by leading international companies and audit organizations worldwide.Darina is currently a 3rd-year student in the «Accounting and Audit» programme at the School of Digital Technologies and Economics at AlmaU, and has already demonstrated a level of competence aligned with international professional standards.«For me, the ACCA diploma is a reminder of the effort it took to achieve it and what I am capable of. Above all, I proved to myself that I can handle significant academic pressure and continue moving forward. In addition, earning two diplomas within three years of study is a strong start to my professional journey. These exams were a real challenge that gave me confidence that I can successfully handle many complex tasks», -  said Darina Zhanysbay.Among her achievements are the ACCA «Finance and Business Managemenеt» diploma; the ACCA certificate in Financial Management; and 1st place in Kazakhstan in the ACCA Financial Reporting exam, with a score of 66.At AlmaU, education is built on a practice-oriented approach and the integration of international professional standards into the academic process. Students acquire theoretical knowledge while being prepared for real industry requirements in finance and audit, including the opportunity to take international examinations during their studies. This story reflects the development of a new generation of Kazakhstan specialists focused on international standards and the global professional environment. 

The economic growth rate has been accelerating for the fourth month.According to preliminary data from the BNS, Kazakhstan's GDP growth in January-April 2026 amounted to 3.6% compared to the same period last year.Compared to the results of the first quarter, the dynamics of economic growth improved markedly (3% GDP growth in January-March 2026).According to the results of four months, industrial production entered a positive zone – the physical volume index was 102.1%, while a decrease to 99.9% was recorded in the first quarter.The key factor in the industrial recovery was the acceleration of the manufacturing sector, where output increased by 9.9% against 8.5% in January-March.High growth rates are maintained in the mechanical engineering industry (an increase of 23.3%) due to an increase in the volume of production of vehicles, agricultural and railway machinery, electrical goods and equipment.There is also a significant increase in the production of light industry products – an increase of 2.3 times, furniture – by 41.7%, pharmaceutical products – by 35.2%, building materials – by 27.7%, chemical industry – by 18.4%, food - by 14.4%.The decline persists in the mining industry (92.7%), but its depth has significantly decreased compared to the first quarter (88.6%), indicating a gradual recovery in production and a decrease in the negative contribution of the oil sector to the overall economic dynamics.In general, the positive dynamics of the economy in the first four months of the year was ensured by steady growth in the basic sectors. The highest growth rates were recorded in the following industries:construction – 114.5%;transportation and warehousing – 112%;processing - 109.9%;trade – 105.1%;agriculture – 103.6%.Thus, the current structure of real GDP growth is characterized by the strengthening of the role of non-resource sectors, in particular construction, transport, trade and manufacturing.https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/economy/press/news/details/1217363?lang=ruSource : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanai-ekonomika-zhosparlau/press/news/details/1217963?lang=kk