The industrial sector of the East Kazakhstan Region continues to remain a key driver of the regional economy, accounting for about 42% of the gross regional product. At the end of 2025, the region ranked third in the country with a 9.6% share, уступив only the Karaganda and Almaty regions.

Industrial growth continues: by the end of 2025, the volume of industrial output in current prices increased by 26% to 3.3 trillion tenge, of which 88% comes from the manufacturing sector (3.0 trillion tenge). This indicates an ongoing structural shift toward deeper processing of raw materials and higher value-added production.

The foundation of the region’s industry consists of metallurgy (69%), the chemical industry (13%), food production (10%), and mechanical engineering (4%).

Last year, 99.7 billion tenge was invested in manufacturing, while                     87.5 billion tenge was invested in mining and quarrying.

Over the past three years, employment in the manufacturing sector has increased by 11%, from 42.3 thousand to 46.9 thousand people. The number of active enterprises has also grown by 6%, reaching 769 units, including 716 small, 30 medium, and 23 large enterprises.

Exports of manufacturing products have increased 1.4 times over the past five years, reaching 2.7 billion US dollars. In the first 11 months of 2025, export volume amounted to 2.4 billion US dollars.

The region’s key foreign trade partners remain Russia (25%), China (24.3%), Kyrgyzstan (10.2%), Turkey (7.6%), Uzbekistan (4%), and Mexico (4%).

The export structure is traditionally dominated by metals and metal products, accounting for 64.9%. A significant share is also held by agricultural products and processed food (14%). Machinery, equipment, instruments, and apparatus account for 3.7% of exports.

Thus, the region maintains its export-oriented profile with a dominance of metallurgical products, while gradually expanding its product range and geography of external markets.

At the same time, digitalization of the industry is intensifying. Over the past five years, the share of large and medium-sized enterprises implementing digital technologies has more than doubled—from 6.7% in 2019 to 13.7% in 2024.

Labor productivity has also shown significant growth: since 2018, it has increased 2.1 times, reaching 69.9 thousand US dollars per employee.

Leaders of digital transformation are systemically important enterprises of the mining and metallurgical complex. Production facilities are actively upgrading equipment, introducing modern CNC machines, robotic systems, and automated quality control. This improves efficiency and reduces production costs.

Among the implemented initiatives is the construction of a contact apparatus at the Ridder Metallurgical Complex of Kazzinc LLP. The project included installation of key technological equipment, including heat exchangers and gas ducts.

At Ulba Metallurgical Plant JSC, modern CNC equipment for beryllium production was acquired, expanding technological capabilities and enabling the production of complex-shaped изделий.

Within the Kazzinc group, a unified digital infrastructure project was implemented, including centralized IT services, standardized workplaces, and development of data processing centers. This improved information security and management of production processes.

Currently, several major modernization projects are being implemented in the region. These include upgrading foundry production at Vostokmashzavod JSC, reconstruction of gas-cleaning equipment at Kazzinc enterprises, and the introduction of modern filtration systems.

Significant modernization has also been carried out at Ust-Kamenogorsk Valve Plant JSC, where upgraded production capacities have improved product quality and competitiveness.

Modernization of the woodworking industry continues, including the reconstruction of a particleboard plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk. At the same time, technical re-equipment of uranium production is underway at the Ulba Metallurgical Plant, including installation of modern pressing equipment.

Import substitution efforts are also ongoing. At Ust-Kamenogorsk Capacitor Plant LLP, new types of products previously imported from abroad have been launched.

The implementation of these projects is aimed at increasing labor productivity, reducing environmental impact, developing high-tech industries, and strengthening the industrial potential of the region.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/vko-kasipkerlik/press/news/details/1196243?lang=kk