Kazakhstan has approved regulations for equipping shelters for the population. The new standard covers basements, underground parking lots, and other subterranean spaces, reports the press service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.In Kazakhstan, a new standard for shelters in case of emergencies will come into effect from January 1, 2026. This refers to ST RK 4016-2025, which establishes requirements for adapting basements, parking lots, and other underground premises for population protection. It was developed by KazStandard as part of the National Standardization Plan for 2025 at the request of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.The Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted that the document is aimed at improving the level of safety and preparedness for emergencies.— In global practice, subterranean premises, including basements, ground floors, underground passages, and subways, are widely used for population protection. In Kazakhstan, such spaces can also be adapted for civil defense protective structures, — the department reported.The new standard eliminates a regulatory gap and introduces uniform requirements for shelters. It defines the procedure for inspecting buildings and adapting them for population protection during emergencies of a natural, man-made, and military nature.The document establishes requirements for structures and room layouts, as well as for life support systems. These include ventilation, water supply, electricity supply, sanitary conditions, and communications. The procedure for assessing the technical condition of buildings is also established, including checking load-bearing structures and engineering systems.Measures for reinforcing structures and retrofitting premises, if necessary, are separately provided for. The standard provides examples of typical solutions and a table for assessing shelter suitability.The project has been coordinated with the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Committee for Atomic and Energy Supervision and Control of the Ministry of Energy, the Regional Department for Emergency Situations and the Department for Mobilization Preparation and Civil Protection, technical committees in the field of industrial safety and construction, the NCE "Atameken", the Atomic Energy Agency, the National Nuclear Center, the Institute of Atomic Energy, and other organizations.Comments and proposals received during the coordination process concerned considering geographical, climatic, and seismic features when developing technical solutions, developing algorithms for protection against unmanned aerial vehicles, including appendices with examples of retrofitting schemes and a table for assessing premises suitability, reinforcing shelter walls and openings, as well as implementing an automated public access system to shelters. All proposals were taken into account.The adoption of the standard will allow for the formation of a unified approach to the use of subterranean premises and will increase the level of population protection in emergency situations.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1195458?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almobl/press/news/details/1195463?lang=kk

From March 13 to 23, 2026, the national competition "Sauda in Digital Nauryz" was held in the country, aimed at developing digital solutions in the field of trade. The competition was organized among shopping malls and retail chains and aimed to popularize national culture through the use of digital technologies.According to the competition rules, participants published special videos on social media. Important criteria such as national identity, creativity, level of artificial intelligence use, audience engagement, and work quality were considered when determining the winners.Based on the competition results, winners were determined in the following categories:"Best Digital Design" — the retail chain "Anvar" (Aktobe city);"Best Digital Greeting" — the shopping mall "TSUM" (Karaganda city);"Best Use of Artificial Intelligence" — the shopping mall "Umay" (Karaganda city);"Most Creative Digital Project" — the retail chain "Small" (Almaty city).During the official ceremony, winners were presented with special diplomas and national attire on behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.As part of the competition, in collaboration with the national clothing store "Tarbiya," free national clothing fitting zones were organized in major shopping and entertainment centers across the country. Thematic photo zones and Instagram frames were also set up. All materials were published on social media under the unified hashtag #saudadigitalnauryz.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1195554?lang=kk

Astana, April 6, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov held a meeting with Minister of State for Europe of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Gunther Krichbaum within the framework of his working visit to Astana.During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.Particular attention was given to transport and logistics cooperation, including the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the participation of German companies in infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan.The two sides also exchanged views on current regional and international issues, including the coordination of efforts in multilateral fora.As a result of the meeting, mutual interest in further strengthen of partnership and expansion of cooperation in all key areas was confirmed.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1195839?lang=kk

Astana, April 7, 2026 – First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Ashikbayev, held a meeting with the Representative of the United Nations Department of Global Communications in Kazakhstan, Vlastimil Samek.During the meeting, the Kazakh diplomat expressed his appreciation to the UN representative for his active work as Head of the United Nations Information Office in Kazakhstan, as well as for fostering effective communication with the Government and the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan in promoting the activities of the UN Country Team in Kazakhstan and maintaining close cooperation with all national and international partners engaged in UN activities.During the meeting, Representative Samek noted that over the years of his work in Kazakhstan, the United Nations Information Office has become a reliable partner of the Government in building communication with the UN, as well as with Kazakhstani media, which actively disseminated information about positive developments associated with the UN’s work in Kazakhstan.Following the meeting, First Deputy Minister Ashikbayev presented Representative Samek with a certificate of honor on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1195864?lang=kk

На очередном заседании штаба по обеспечению экономического роста под председательством заместителя Премьер-министра – министра национальной экономики РК Серика Жумангарина рассмотрены прогнозные показатели социально-экономического развития за январь-март 2026 года.По предварительным данным, по итогам января-марта 2026 года в обрабатывающей промышленности ожидается рост на уровне 6%. По информации Бюро национальной статистики в ряде отраслей сохраняется устойчивая положительная динамика: легкая промышленность – 156,4%, готовых металлических изделий - 131,4%, производство мебели – 127,6%, производство строительных материалов – 127,4% и машиностроение – 115,5%. По информации Министерства транспорта, рост транспортной отрасли за отчетный период оценивается на уровне 109%. Общий объем оказанных услуг составляет 2,8 трлн тенге, что на 14,3% выше аналогичного периода прошлого года. Положительная динамика обеспечена за счет увеличения объемов перевозок. Так, общий объем перевозки грузов вырос на 7,9% и составил 290,9 млн тонн. Перевозки пассажиров всеми видами транспорта увеличились на 11,0%  – до 491,2 млн пассажиров.Грузооборот составил 153,7 млрд тонно-километров, увеличившись на 11,8%. Пассажирооборот вырос на 10,1% и достиг 22,8 млрд пассажиро-километров. По оперативным данным, за три месяца 2026 года объем перевозки грузов железнодорожным транспортом составил 78,3 млн тонн, что на 3,6% больше аналогичного периода 2025 года (+2,7 млн тонн). В разрезе сообщений: внутриреспубликанские перевозки – 40,8 млн тонн, экспорт – 22,8 млн тонн, импорт – 5,6 млн тонн, транзит – 9,1 млн тонн.В структуре экспорта отмечен рост перевозок угля, зерна, удобрений, строительных грузов, черных металлов, а также прочих грузов (в том числе комбикормов, растительного масла, асбеста). Во внутриреспубликанском сообщении увеличились перевозки угля, нефтепродуктов, зерна, химикатов.Подводя итоги заседания, Серик Жумангарин поручил отраслевым государственным органам активизировать работу по выявлению дополнительных резервов экономического роста, в том числе с использованием инструментов государственной поддержки.«Нам нужно реальное увеличение объемов производства и услуг, будь это дополнительный выпуск продукции или ввод нового жилья. При необходимости государство готово поддержать такие инициативы, в том числе через механизм субсидирования», - подчеркнул вице-премьер.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/economy/press/news/details/1195870?lang=kk

Chisinau, April 7, 2026 – Consultations on Consular issues between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova were held.Azamat Aubekov, Director of the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Moldovan side was represented by Lilian Moraru, Head of the General Directorate for Consular Affairs of the MFA. Representatives from relevant government agencies of both countries also took part in the consultations.The parties highly appreciated the level of interaction and reaffirmed their readiness to further develop cooperation based on the principles of mutual trust and compliance with international law. The diplomats discussed the issues of migration policy, border management, mutual recognition of documents, digitalization of consular services, as well as providing legal assistance to citizens in accordance with international conventions. Participants noted the importance of such meetings, which contribute to bilateral relations.Following the consultations, the parties confirmed their commitment to an exchange of information to ensure the protection of the rights and interests of citizens of Kazakhstan and Moldova.   Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1195874?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1195977?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1196112?lang=kk

По итогам первого квартала 2026 года фиксируется одновременное укрепление доходной части бюджета и замедление инфляционных процессов. Это во многом связано с тем, что  краткосрочный всплеск  цен, вызванный изменением ставки НДС, был абсорбирован экономикой в конце 2025 года – январе-феврале 2026-го и в настоящее время уже не оказывает влияния на инфляцию.По оперативным данным, исполнение по доходам государственного бюджета за 1 квартал 2026 года (без учета трансфертов) составило 104,4%. При плане 6 176,2 млрд тенге в бюджет поступило 6 444,9 млрд тенге, перевыполнение – 268,7 млрд тенге.По сравнению с аналогичным периодом 2025 года доходы госбюджета увеличились на 930,6 млрд тенге, или на 16,9%. Превышение планов по доходам зафиксировано как в республиканском, так и местных бюджетах. Стоит отметить, что доходы республиканского бюджета по налоговым поступлениям на 2026 год планируются в сумме 18,886 трлн тенге, что на 4,4 трлн тенге выше фактических поступлений за 2025 год.В частности, доходы республиканского бюджета исполнены на 101,8%: при плане 4 085,6 млрд тенге поступило 4 159,4 млрд тенге. Рост к прошлому году составил 26,1% (+861,8 млрд тенге). Во многом это обусловлено увеличением цен на мировых рынках  на основные экспортные товары Казахстана, ростом объемов реализации товаров и услуг, зафиксированных в системе ЭСФ за 4 квартал 2025 г., а также результатами налогового и таможенного администрирования.Налоговые поступления, формирующие основную часть доходов республиканского бюджета (98%), исполнены на 101,6%: при плане 4 012,8 млрд тенге поступило 4 077,6 млрд тенге. Рост к аналогичному периоду прошлого года составил 31,5%. При этом следует учитывать, что на январь-март 2026г. пришелся срок уплаты НДС за IV квартал 2025 года (до 25 февраля 2026 г). И, соответственно, налоговые обязательства по НДС произведены по ставке 12%.Рост обеспечен по сравнению с аналогичным периодом прошлого года по таким крупным налогам, как КПН (+16,9%), НДС на импортируемые товары (исчислен по ставке 16%) (+24,2%), налог на добычу полезных ископаемых (+35,7%).Доходы местных бюджетов исполнены на 109,3%: при плане 2 090,6 млрд тенге поступило 2 285,5 млрд тенге. Рост к прошлому году составил 3,1% (+68,8 млрд тенге).С начала года в специальном налоговом режиме для самозанятых зарегистрировано 392 тыс. физических лиц. Количество плательщиков НДС увеличилось на 10 тыс. субъектов.По итогам первого квартала сохраняется устойчивый тренд на снижение инфляции. Темп инфляции в марте замедлился до 0,6% по сравнению с 1,0–1,1% в январе–феврале. Снижение наблюдается шестой месяц подряд: после пикового значения в сентябре 2025 года (12,9%) инфляция перешла к постепенному замедлению и по итогам марта 2026 года составила 11,0%. По прогнозам МНЭ, сохраняется высокая вероятность выхода на однозначный уровень инфляции к началу 2027 года.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/economy/press/news/details/1195944?lang=kk

A meeting of the regional akimat on the issues of the progress and completion of the heating season was held under the chairmanship of the Akim of the Kostanay Region, Kumar Aksakalov.The Head of State has repeatedly instructed to ensure the uninterrupted progress of the heating season. In our region, it is proceeding as planned and is nearing completion. No major accidents have been recorded. This is undoubtedly the result of repair work carried out in advance last summer.Significant funds are allocated annually for the modernization of heat supply facilities and engineering infrastructure. As a result, the number of accidents on heating networks in the region has decreased 6 times — from 830 in the 2022–2023 heating season to 134 in the current one.The President of the country set the task to reduce the wear and tear of heating networks to 42% by the end of 2029. In 2022–2025, we managed to reduce this indicator from 50% to 43%."Another important issue is tariffs. People should pay a fair price for the heat, water, and electricity they consume. This is possible through the installation of modern metering devices with remote data transmission functionality. Such devices allow for accurate accounting of consumption volumes and ensure transparency in calculations. The implementation of automated meters is growing: if in 2023 they were installed in 433 houses, then in 2025 — already in 1,132 houses, an increase of 3 times. Metering devices allow for savings through consumption regulation. Now, with the onset of warm spring weather, residents open their windows, and heat escapes outside. At the same time, they continue to pay for heating in full. This is not right. Our task is to more actively install heat metering units with the participation of our enterprises and local manufacturers. Such devices are already successfully operating in the region," noted the head of the region.In the current heating season, savings in one apartment building amounted to 890 thousand tenge — these are funds that remain with our citizens. The Akim of the region emphasized the need to continue installing metering devices at the same pace and ensure 100% coverage.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1196263?lang=kk

Dear residents of the region!The flood season in our region has concluded.In this regard, I would like to particularly highlight the coordinated work of all authorized bodies. Thanks to the timely measures taken, populated areas were protected from meltwater. We did not allow a single residential house to be flooded. All necessary measures were taken. No emergency situations were registered. Protective engineering structures were implemented in advance:- In 92 populated areas, 32 protective embankments with a total length of 54 km were built and reinforced;- 38 water culverts were installed;- 78 km of storm sewer were cleaned;- Snow was cleared from more than 1,600 private house yards across the region.Over 3,600 people and more than 500 pieces of equipment were involved in carrying out these works. Hydrological posts operated around the clock on the rivers, maintaining constant monitoring of water levels.Thus, the period associated with the threat of flooding in the Kostanay region passed in a routine manner. All of this is the result of our joint work.I would like to express my gratitude to all citizens who participated in the joint efforts – emergency service personnel, military personnel, volunteers, and youth.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1196315?lang=kk

The Department of Trade and Consumer Rights Protection of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the North Kazakhstan Region reports on a significant court decision made in defense of consumer rights.Court No. 2 of the city of Petropavlovsk has fully satisfied the Department's lawsuit against an individual entrepreneur for the recovery of funds in favor of consumers.The basis for the appeal to the court was numerous appeals from citizens who purchased tickets for a concert by the performer "Akmal", scheduled for October 25, 2025, in the city of Kostanay. Due to the cancellation of the event, the obligations to refund consumers were not fulfilled by the respondent or were not fulfilled properly (partially).During the consideration of the case, it was established that a significant number of consumers did not receive a full refund of the money paid. Despite sending a pre-trial claim to the entrepreneur, the identified violations were not rectified.Given that the rights of more than ten consumers were violated, the Department exercised its right to apply to the court in defense of an indefinite number of persons in accordance with the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.The achieved result was made possible thanks to the coordinated and consistent work of the Department's specialists, who ensured effective consideration of citizens' appeals and proper support of the case in judicial bodies.By the court's decision, 5,380,126 (five million three hundred eighty thousand one hundred twenty-six) tenge was recovered from the respondent in favor of the affected citizens.  "The adopted court decision is an important law enforcement precedent confirming the state-guaranteed protection of consumer rights. Regardless of the form of service provision, including the use of electronic platforms, business entities are obliged to properly and fully fulfill the obligations they have undertaken to consumers.This result also testifies to the high efficiency and professionalism of the Department's employees, whose coordinated work made it possible to ensure the restoration of the violated rights of citizens.The Department will continue systematic work to protect consumer rights and will respond in principle to every identified violation", — noted the acting head of the Department G. Abayev. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1196326?lang=kk

Alibek Kuantyrov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, met with Eric Beißwenge, State Minister of Bavaria for International Cooperation and European Affairs.During the meeting, the participants discussed the current state of Kazakh-German cooperation and opportunities for expanding bilateral relations.Alibek Kuantyrov emphasized the potential for mutually beneficial partnership in the extraction of critical raw materials and the implementation of industrial projects."We consider Germany a key partner in modernizing our industrial potential. "It's worth noting that approximately 90% of German investment goes into the industrial sector," the Deputy Minister said.He noted that Kazakhstan is consistently strengthening its role in the system of international relations.Kazakhstan is consistently strengthening its role in international relations. Kazakhstan has confirmed its readiness for bilateral cooperation with Germany on the current multilateral agenda, including collaboration within the UN, OSCE, and other international organizations. Through planned high-level meetings and a number of bilateral events this year, the strengthening of political dialogue is expected to have a fruitful impact on the development of partnership relations at several levels.Eric Beißwenge outlined the prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the development of highly processed products and spoke about Germany's positive experience in processing raw materials.Following the talks, the parties confirmed their commitment to further developing their economic partnership both bilaterally and within regional formats in the European Union and Central Asia. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1196134?lang=kk

Baku, April 8, 2026 – As part of an official visit to Baku the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.During the meeting, Minister Kosherbayev conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. “The high level of cooperation between our countries has primarily been achieved through a trusting dialogue at the highest level”, Minister noted.In this context, the mutual state visits of the President Tokayev to Baku in March 2024, the state visit of the President Aliyev to Astana in October 2025, as well as the Second Meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council (SIC) have given new momentum to the allied relations between our countries and contributed to elevating them to a qualitatively new level.“Kazakh-Azerbaijani relations demonstrate steady and progressive development and possess significant potential. We reaffirm our strong commitment to further strengthening the allied partnership with brotherly Azerbaijan and enriching our cooperation with new substance”, Kosherbayev stressed.During the talks the parties also discussed current issues on the international agenda. The high level of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan within multilateral frameworks was underscored, along with the importance of continued joint efforts to promote peace and stability.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1196410?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1196430?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1196488?lang=kk

Baku, April 8, 2026 – As part of an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov.“Thanks to the political will of our heads of state over the past three years Kazakh-Azerbaijani relations have been elevated to a qualitatively new level of engagement”, Minister Kosherbayev emphasized.During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation with particular focus on priority areas, such as political, trade, economic, energy, transit, transport as well as cultural and humanitarian interaction between the two countries.Special attention in bilateral relations is given to the development of trade and economic cooperation. The economies of both countries possess significant potential to increase mutual trade, including through reciprocal investments and industrial cooperation.The Foreign Ministers reviewed in detail the practical implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level. It was noted that following the measures undertaken the volume of mutual trade has increased fivefold over the past five years, amounting to $ 470.7 million in 2025. At the same time, the ministers agreed to facilitate further growth of this figure to $ 1 billion.The parties also discussed the implementation of flagship infrastructure projects, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route as well as the laying of a fiber-optic communication line and a deep-sea power cable along the bed of the Caspian Sea.Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the transit of Kazakhstan’s energy resources to world markets through the territory of Azerbaijan, as well as to collaboration in agriculture, industrial cooperation and telecommunications. In this regard, the increasing role of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Direct Investment Fund was emphasized.The interlocutors also expressed satisfaction with the development of cultural and humanitarian ties, noting the successful holding of the Culture Days of Azerbaijan in Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan in Azerbaijan. High appreciation was given to the intensification of cooperation in education, particularly the ongoing reciprocal Days of Higher Education of Kazakhstan in Azerbaijan. A positive trend is also observed in the tourism sector: around 30 flights are operated weekly between the cities of the two countries.During the meeting, the ministers exchanged views on current issues of the regional and global agendas, and reaffirmed their commitment to continued close cooperation within multilateral structures, including the UN, the Organization of Turkic States, the CICA, the CIS, the OIC, and the Caspian Summit.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1196572?lang=kk

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