Riyadh, May 28, 2025 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia Madiyar Menilbekov met with the Acting Governor of General Authority of Foreign Trade of the KSA (GAFT) Mohammad Alabduljabar.During the meeting, the parties discussed the issues of activating of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic and investment spheres. Particular attention was paid to the issues of increasing mutual trade turnover and export of agricultural products from Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia.Ambassador M. Menilbekov noted that Kazakhstan, as the largest agricultural country in the world, is ready to supply the Kingdom with wheat, meat, dairy, honey products, and also called on Saudi businessmen to actively join the work in this area.In his turn, Mr. M.Alabduljabar noted that Kazakhstan is an important partner for Saudi Arabia and fully supported the proposals of the Kazakh side to intensify bilateral cooperationThe parties also discussed some organizational issues for holding joint events, including the upcoming visit of the Saudi delegation to Astana, holding within its framework the Kazakh-Saudi business forum and B2B meetings, organizing the second trade mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the KSA, etc.The General Administration of Foreign Trade (GAFT), established by the resolution of the Council of Ministers in 2019, is a governmental organization with financial and administrative independence and has broad authority in the field of foreign trade. As part of its activities, GAFT develops foreign trade policy and strategy, coordinates the activities of the government and private sectors, and represents the interests of the Kingdom in regional and international trade organizations and forums.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-riyadh/press/news/details/1006710?lang=kk

A high-tech and environmentally friendly plant for the production of aluminum and bimetallic radiators is being built in the Saryarka special economic zone. The company plans to create 220 jobs.The project is being implemented by Silumin of Kazakhstan LLP, a young Kazakhstani company investing in the development of the manufacturing industry and the introduction of ESG principles, with the support of the National Management Holding Baiterek, the Damu Foundation, BV Management, the Ministry of Industry and the Akimat of the Karaganda region.The company is expected to become the country's largest radiator manufacturer and one of the most significant import substitution facilities. The production capacity of the first stage will be about 5.5 million sections per year. The total investment is 35 million US dollars.It is planned to create 220 jobs at the enterprise, which will require the involvement of qualified specialists in mechanical engineering, metallurgy and the chemical industry. For this purpose, the company is already establishing cooperation with colleges and universities in the region.The production process will be completely localized, starting with aluminum casting. The project uses modern eco-friendly technologies: recycling of aluminum scrap and slag, multi-stage filtration of exhaust gases, reuse of water by evaporation, solar generation and heat recovery. This will not only reduce the environmental impact, but also increase resource efficiency.As part of the expansion of international cooperation between the Association of Manufacturers in the Heating Market and Silumin of Kazakhstan LLP, a framework agreement was signed on May 21 this year. The parties agreed to work together to develop a laboratory and methodological base, industrial cooperation and the formation of supply chains with an eye to increasing the level of localization.The main task of the new production facility is to provide the domestic market of Kazakhstan with competitive products and reduce dependence on imports. In addition, the company should become a platform for the introduction of modern quality and safety standards in the heating equipment market.The plant is planned to be launched in stages: the first stage will cover the entire production cycle, the subsequent ones will be aimed at increasing production volumes.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/karaganda/press/news/details/1006711?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1006720?lang=kk

 Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1006723?lang=kk

The Department of State Revenue in the Abai region, in accordance with the Instruction on the implementation of TBN projects No. 4 «Prevention and Combating Corruption», on June 11, 2025, plans to hold a public discussion of the results of an internal analysis of corruption risks.In this regard, all interested persons are kindly requested to take part in this event on June 11, 2025 at the address Semey city, Abai Square, 3.In case of questions, please contact by phone +7 705 764 59 59Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-abay/press/news/details/1006727?lang=kk

The Asian Wrestling Championship 2025 was organized at a high level in Delhi, India, following the results of the competition, the country's athletes won several prizes.Among them, a native of Karmakshinsky district, our compatriot Abiltaeva Nazerke won a gold medal in the 55 kg weight category and became the Asian champion!This is a great pride for the public, the fruit of our young athlete's hard work and will!Congratulations to Nazerka on her victory! We wish the country to continue to raise honor and conquer heights!Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kyzylorda-karmakshy/press/news/details/1006729?lang=kk

– applied to goods transported across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union, non-tariff regulation measures, including those unilaterally imposed in accordance with the Treaty on the Union, technical regulation measures, sanitary, veterinary-sanitary and quarantine phytosanitary measures, control measures of specific goods, including measures with respect to military products, and radiation requirements established in accordance with the Treaty on the Union and (or) the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Compliance with prohibitions and restrictions is regulated in accordance with Article 8 of the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 26, 2017 № 123-VI.The goods shall move across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union and (or) shall be placed under customs procedures in compliance with prohibitions and restrictions.Compliance with non–tariff regulation measures, including those imposed unilaterally, and technical regulation measures is confirmed in the cases and in the manner determined by the Commission or the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in accordance with the Treaty on the Union, and control measures for specific goods, including measures for military products, - in the cases and in the manner, established in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, by submitting documents and (or) information confirming compliance with such measures.Compliance with sanitary, veterinary-sanitary and quarantine phytosanitary measures and radiation requirements shall be confirmed by the results of sanitary-epidemiological, veterinary, quarantine- phytosanitary, radiation control (supervision) in accordance with the procedure established by the Treaty on the Union and the acts of the Commission adopted in accordance with it; and (or) in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Obligation to comply with prohibitions and restrictions shall not be imposed on declarants when placing international postal items under the customs procedure of customs transit in case they are transported:1) from the place of arrival to the place of customs operations with goods sent in international postal items;2) from the place of arrival to the place of departure.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-vko/press/news/details/1006730?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almobl/press/news/details/1006735?lang=kk

The Astana International Forum (AIF) has started its work in Astana today. The forum's theme is "Connecting minds, shaping the future".The Forum starts with a plenary session chaired by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.The IFA aims to strengthen international cooperation in the face of global change, with a focus on the economy, climate and interstate relations.The Forum is attended by heads of state and Government, heads of international organizations and major companies, politicians and representatives of expert circles.The forum has more than 7,000 registered participants. Among them are more than 160 speakers from Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, representing leading international organizations such as the United Nations, FAO, IOM and WIPO. Over the course of two days, they, together with industry experts, will consider models of interstate cooperation and prospects for the formation of new global partnerships.Among the honorary participants of the Forum:His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda;Her Excellency Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, President of the Republic of North Macedonia;Ban Ki-moon, President and Chairman of the Global Institute for Green Growth (GGGI), 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN);Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe;Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO);Amy E. Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM);Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO);Kakha Imnadze, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (RCPCA).The main directions of the MFA:– Foreign policy and international security;– Energy and climate change;– Economics and finance.The program includes more than 40 panel sessions, informal discussions and other extracurricular activities.https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/economy/press/news/details/1006736Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanai-ekonomika-zhosparlau/press/news/details/1007421?lang=kk

 Demographic trends in Kazakhstan: 2024 results and forecasts 2024 was a continuation of the global trends of population aging and declining birth rates, which have a significant impact on the pension systems of different countries, including Kazakhstan. The world is experiencing a turning point in its demographic transition. As noted at the World Economic Forum: "For the first time in human history, there are more people aged 65 and over than children aged five and under."The population of Kazakhstan as of January 1, 2025 amounted to more than 20.3 million people, of which 8.7 million people (42.8%) were under 25, 9.7 million people (48.0%) were from 25 to 65, and 1.9 million people (9.2%) were over 65.[1].According to forecasts, the population of Kazakhstan will reach 26.3 million people by the end of 2050. Life expectancy and proportion of elderly people Life expectancy after a decline due to the pandemic in 2020-2021 increased from 70.23 in 2021 to 75.44 years in 2024.The dynamics of changes in average life expectancy in the period from 2013 to 2024 are presented as follows: 201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024Total population70.6271.4471.9772.4172.9573.1573.1871.3770.2374.4475.0975.44Males65.9166.9067.4967.9968.7268.8468.8267.0966.3370.2670.9971.33Females75.2375.8276.2676.6176.9277.1977.3075.5374.0378.4179.0679.42   Forecasts from both the UAPF and the UN show that by 2050 there will be a high level of demographic old age due to the increase in life expectancy (the share of people aged 60 and older in the total population increased from 9.7% in 2009 to 13.9% in 2024 and is projected to continue to grow to 19% by 2050, i.e. by 2050, on average, every fifth Kazakhstani will be aged 60 and older).   Fact and forecast of the share of people aged 60 years and older in the total population Total fertility rateThe total fertility rate (TFR) has a significant impact on the population structure. It shows how many children a woman would give birth to on average throughout her reproductive period (i.e. from about 15 to 50 years).This indicator decreased from 3.32 in 2021 to 2.80 in 2024. According to UN forecasts, the fertility rate in Kazakhstan is expected to further decrease to 2.42 children per woman by 2050. Год201620172018201920202021202220232024TFR2.772.732.842.903.133.323.052.962.80 The decline in birth rates is a global trend for the entire world. With the gradual decline in birth rates and the increase in life expectancy, fewer and fewer people enter the labor market, and the imbalance between pensioners and the working population continues to grow. Migration balance  The UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) office in Kazakhstan in the report Analysis of the Population Situation of the Republic of Kazakhstan[2] predicts a gradual achievement of the migration balance of 0 per 1000 people by 2050, which is explained by "the economic development of the republic, which is accompanied by a high demand for labor, the gradual exhaustion of the potential for significant ethnic emigration, and rapid population growth in the countries to the south of Kazakhstan."Below is the number of immigrants and emigrants for 2016 - 2024:Year201620172018201920202021202220232024Arrived13,75515,59512,74712,25511,37011,03917,42525,38729,282Departed34,90037,72541,86845,22529,08832,25624,14716,09412,732          As can be seen, after the pandemic, the annual number of people arriving in Kazakhstan over the past three years has increased by 2.7 times, while the number of people leaving has decreased by 2.3 times since 2020. Potential support ratio Potential support ratio, calculated as the number of people of working age (25 to 64 years old) divided by the number of people aged 65 and over, continues to decline.The ratio of people of working age (25-64 years old) to pensioners (65+ years old) has decreased from 7.7 in 2012 to 5.2 in 2024. According to forecasts by both the UAPF and the UN, the potential support ratio in Kazakhstan will decrease to 3.4 by 2050, which will increase the “burden” on the working population. Fact and forecast of the potential support ratioLet us recall that the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index for 2024, in which the pension system of Kazakhstan was the only CIS country represented, emphasizes the need to modernize pension systems taking into account demographic trends - declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy.In these conditions, the most effective is a multi-level (mixed) system, including state and funded components, similar to the one in force in Kazakhstan. This model more successfully solves the problem of adequate pension provision and is more resilient to demographic and economic development processes.However, it is worth considering that the solidarity pension in Kazakhstan is gradually decreasing, since it is calculated taking into account the length of service before 1998. Mandatory pension contributions of 10% may be insufficient for decent pension provision. Therefore, measures have been taken to strengthen the funded component, one of which is the gradual introduction of the ECPC from 2024 in favor of workers born in 1975 and later. Thus, at present in Kazakhstan the responsibility for pension provision of citizens lies with the state, the employee and the employer, as is accepted in world practice.  UAPF was founded on August 22, 2013 on the basis of GNPF APF JSC. The founder and shareholder of the UAPF is the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan represented by the State Institution Committee of State Property and Privatization of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Trust management of UAPF pension assets is carried out by the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In accordance with the pension legislation, the UAPF attracts compulsory pension contributions, employer’s compulsory pension contributions, compulsory occupational pension contributions, voluntary pension contributions, as well as carries out enrollment and accounting of voluntary pension contributions formed at the expense of the unclaimed amount of guaranteed compensation for the guaranteed deposit, transferred by the organization carrying out mandatory guarantee of deposits, in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On mandatory guarantee of deposits placed in second-tier banks of the Republic of Kazakhstan", ensures the implementation of pension benefits. The Fund also carries out accounting of target assets and target requirements, accounting and crediting of target savings (TS) to target savings accounts, payments of TS to their recipients in bank accounts, accounting for returns of TS in the manner determined by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of the National Fund for Children program (More details at www.enpf.kz)   [1]according to the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan [2] https://kazakhstan.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/АНАЛИЗ ПОЛОЖЕНИЯ.pdfSource : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/abay-audany/press/news/details/1018841?lang=kk

By order of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yertugan Kenesovich Utegenov was appointed Deputy Head of the State Revenue Department for the Mangystau region.Yertugan Kenesovich Utegenov was born on July 30, 1976 in the Kyzylorda region. In 1997, he graduated from the Kazakh State Academy of Management.He started his career as an economist in private companies.He has been working in the system of state revenue authorities for over 25 years.Since 1999, he has worked as a leading specialist, chief specialist, head of department, head of management in various specialized departments of the Tax Committee.Since 2019, he has been the head of the Department of State Revenue in the Mangystau region.(unofficial translation)Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-mangistau/press/news/details/1006814?lang=kk

Astana, May 29, 2025 – On this day in 1948, the United Nations launched its first peacekeeping operation in the Middle East.Over the past 77 years, the UN has conducted 71 missions involving more than 2 million peacekeepers from 150 countries. Currently, over 80,000 personnel from 121 nations serve in 12 ongoing UN peacekeeping operations.Kazakhstan’s engagement in UN peacekeeping began in 2014, when the first Kazakh serviceman was deployed as a military observer to the UN Mission in Western Sahara.Today, 158 Kazakh peacekeepers serve in six UN missions. A landmark achievement was the deployment in March 2024 of the first national contingent – comprising 139 troops – to the UN mission in the Golan Heights.Kazakhstan’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations reflects its commitment to supporting global efforts in maintaining peace and security, while also contributing to the enhancement of the country’s international standing.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1006830?lang=kk

As part of the implementation of the "Law and Order" ideology, on May 28, 2025, Azamat Bayekin, Chairman of the Notary Chamber of Kostanay region, gave an interview on the Qostanai TV channel in the First Studio program on the topic: "Notary Chamber: Innovations and Prospects."The link: https://youtu.be/uUayNXK42Ds?si=oweRWr0jx_GHxyUN Press ServiceDepartment of JusticeKostanay region   Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/adilet-kst/press/news/details/1006837?lang=kk

Today, together with the contractor and the city utilities, a visiting council was held at the sites where it is planned to reconstruct Narimanov and Frolov streets in the Zhana Kala microdistrict.On Frolov Street, on the segment from Abai Avenue to Baymagambetov Street, it is planned to repair a 726-meter-long road section. As part of the project, the roadway will be widened from 7 to 10.5 meters, two-lane traffic will be organized, and modern street lights will be installed. In addition, there is a parking lane and 48 parking spaces.Initially, reconstruction of the entire section from Abai Avenue to Baymagambetov Street was planned on Narimanov Street. However, today it has been decided to exclude the section from Altynsarina Street to Baymagambetov from the project — this will preserve green spaces and avoid damage to engineering networks.Thus, the reconstruction will cover the section from Abai Avenue to Altynsarina Street: the roadway will be expanded from 7 to 14 meters, engineering networks will be updated, new street lights will be installed. Parking lanes will appear on both sides of the street, 66 parking spaces are provided.It is expected that the work carried out will increase the capacity of roads and create more comfortable conditions for residents of the Zhana Kala microdistrict, especially in the context of urgent problems with parking and traffic load.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanai-kalasy-akimat/press/news/details/1006596?lang=kk

On May 19-21, Astana hosted the annual republican festival "Rukhani Kazyna-2025" with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The competition was held in three directions: among state museums, libraries and cultural and leisure organizations.The following materials were submitted to the regional commission for consideration:In the nomination "The best regional museum": KSU "Museum of Literature and Art" of the Department of Culture of the Akmola region;In the nomination "The best employee of the museum of regional significance": Senior Researcher at the Malik Gabdullin Museum of the Department of Culture of the Akmola region Makhmetova Ayagoz Muratovna;In the nomination "The Best employee of the State Museum of Regional Significance": Ulbolsyn Daniyarovna Baturova, head of the Ilyas Yesenberlin Literary Museum;In the nomination "The best regional House of Culture": Zerendinsky regional House of Culture, Zerendinsky district;In the nomination "The best rural House of Culture (club)": Shuisky rural House of Culture, Atbasar district;In the nomination "The best employee of the rural House of Culture, club": Golden Havdrash-village club Akadyr Zerendinsky district;In the nomination "The best employee of the regional House of Culture": Talgat Eltaevich Smagulov, director of the Egindykolsky regional House of Culture;In the nomination "The best employee of the library of regional significance": head of the department of mass events and public relations of the Akmola Regional Universal Scientific Library named after M. Zhumabayev Aubakirova Zhadyra Mynzhasarovna;In the nomination "The best employee of the library of urban importance": librarian of the Kokshetau city electronic library Kstaubaev Nurlan Oljabaevich;In the nomination "The best employee of the library of regional significance": librarian of the Zhaksyn centralized district library system Dosymova Zhumagul Sametovna;In the nomination "The best employee of the library of rural importance": Yesenbayeva Mahabbat Zhamburbayevna-librarian of the Bastau rural model library of the Atbasar centralized district library system.In the nomination "The best library of regional importance": Yesilskaya Centralized District Library System;In the nomination "The best library of urban importance": Kosshinsky Centralized City Library System;In the nomination "The best library of rural importance": Karabulak rural Model Library of the Centralized Library System of the city of Stepnogorsk;Following the results of the final meeting, Ulbolsyn Daniyarovna Baturova, head of the Literary Museum named after I. Yesenberlin, became the Best Employee of the Museum of Regional (city) Significance.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/aqmola-madeniet/press/news/details/1006600?lang=kk

        From 12 to 16 May 2025, representatives of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan participated in an international seminar on transfer pricing held in Ankara, Republic of Turkey. The event was organised by the Multilateral Tax Centre of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as part of the “Train-the-Trainer” programme and brought together tax experts from 12 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.      Throughout the seminar, participants conducted in-depth analyses of practical case studies based on real-life situations encountered by tax authorities in the field of transfer pricing. Particular attention was paid to the accurate identification of the actual substance and conditions of controlled transactions, the analysis of intra-group financial operations, the application of the profit split method, and issues related to the taxation of permanent establishments.       The specialists from the Republic of Kazakhstan actively engaged in discussions, presenting their own cases and approaches to resolving them. In addition, they delivered a presentation on the recent amendments to the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on transfer pricing, including the implementation of an innovative automated system for monitoring export transactions involving crude oil, which generated considerable interest among international colleagues.      This event was organised by the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the OECD and the Multilateral Tax Centre in Ankara, with the participation of Mr. Yerkebulan Sapiyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Turkey.      Participation in such events contributes to the strengthening of international cooperation and the adoption of advanced practices in the tax administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd/press/news/details/1006602?lang=kk

As part of the Business Zhol project, a round table with representatives of the local business community was held in Ulken Naryn district with the participation of First Deputy Head of the Anti-Corruption Service of the East Kazakhstan region Asylkhan Ashikov. The Business Zhol project is being implemented by the Anti-Corruption Service for the third year in a row and is aimed at protecting the rights of entrepreneurs, removing administrative barriers and reducing corruption risks in the field of small and medium-sized businesses. The main focus is on issues related to the registration of land plots, obtaining permits, connecting to infrastructure, as well as access to government support measures (grants, loans, subsidies). During the meeting, the participants discussed the most pressing issues faced by entrepreneurs in practice. The topics of obstacles from regulatory authorities, bureaucratic delays in obtaining permits and violations in the field of public procurement were raised. Asylkhan Ashikov spoke in detail about the steps taken by the state in the field of digitalization and transparency of procedures. He noted that since 2020, an anti-corruption examination of regulatory legal acts has been carried out, discretionary powers are being reduced, and more than 90% of public services have already been converted to electronic format. The Bizneske Zhol project does not just identify barriers, but offers specific solutions. Since the beginning of its implementation, more than 150 meetings have been held, and over 100 problematic cases have been resolved. The vast majority of appeals relate to land issues, infrastructure connectivity, problems with monopolists, public procurement and tax administration. The participants of the round table noted the importance of an open dialogue and thanked the Anti-Corruption Service for its systematic and practical work in the interests of business.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/anticorruption-vko/press/news/details/1006618?lang=kk

Astana, May 28, 2025 – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held a meeting with Xi Guohua, Chairman of the Board of China’s CITIC Group.The parties discussed prospects for further expanding cooperation across various spheres of the economy, as outlined during the meeting with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev the day before.Special attention was given to investment interaction and the launch of new joint projects in Kazakhstan with a focus on the high-tech sector, logistics infrastructure and agro-processing.CITIC Group ranks among the earliest major Chinese investors to enter the Kazakh market, having successfully implemented projects such as JSC Karazhanbasmunai, the Caspi Bitum joint venture, and JSC Altyn Bank.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1006650?lang=kk

The Kazakhstan-France Business Forum was held in Astana with the participation of Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev, Akim of Karaganda Region Yermagambet Bulekbayev, Akim of Zhambyl Region Yerbol Karashukeyev, and Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad of the French Republic Laurent Saint-Martin. The forum served as an important platform to discuss the prospects for expanding partnerships and attracting French investment into key sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy, including energy, agriculture, healthcare, transport infrastructure, and sustainable urban development.The event gathered around 300 delegates, including representatives from government bodies, regional administrations, business communities, and industry associations of both countries. On the French side, the forum brought together executives from leading companies such as Vinci, Sanofi, Schneider Electric, EDF, Veolia, Limagrain, Egis, Orano, Danone, Air Liquide, Bonduelle, Axens, Richel, IMV Technologies, as well as regional chambers of commerce and MEDEF International. From Kazakhstan, the event was attended by the Akims of the Zhambyl and Karaganda regions, heads of sectoral ministries, national companies, and members of the business community.The forum featured a plenary session titled “Strengthening, Diversification, and Innovation – Prospects for Franco-Kazakh Relations” and four parallel panel discussions on energy and transport infrastructure development, food security and agricultural cooperation, healthcare and biotechnology, and sustainable urban development and public utilities.During the plenary session, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov highlighted the growing investment and economic partnership between Kazakhstan and France.“France is one of Kazakhstan’s key political and economic partners in the European Union. Over 170 companies with French capital operate in our country, including well-known brands such as TotalEnergies, Orano, Alstom, Vicat, Danone, Air Liquide, and others. France consistently ranks among Kazakhstan’s top 10 trading partners and is the largest EU investor in our economy, with total investments exceeding $17 billion. In 2023 alone, six joint projects worth about $300 million were implemented, and over 20 initiatives are currently under development. We highly value the contribution of French businesses to Kazakhstan’s economic development and remain committed to creating a favorable environment for investors,” he said.French speakers expressed strong interest in expanding their presence in Kazakhstan and emphasized their readiness to implement joint projects in priority sectors. Special attention was given to sustainable development, production localization, technology transfer, and strengthening B2B cooperation.The forum concluded with the signing of several commercial agreements aimed at advancing joint initiatives across various economic sectors. B2B and B2G meetings also took place, where participants discussed specific projects and practical opportunities for collaboration between Kazakh and French companies, as well as engagement with government stakeholders.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/invest/press/news/details/1006558?lang=kk

Budapest, 27 May 2025 — The Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest ceremoniously received the inaugural scheduled flight from Shymkent, operated by the Kazakh airline “SCAT.” The commencement of this direct air connection was marked by a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony at the aircraft stairs, signifying a new chapter in Kazakh-Hungarian relations.In honor of this important milestone, a press conference was held with the participation of local media representatives and members of the business community.In his address, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Hungary, H.E. Mr. Abzal Saparbekuly, emphasized that the launch of the direct flight will serve as a catalyst for deepening bilateral cooperation in such key areas as trade, investment, tourism, culture, and humanitarian exchange. He noted that the warm and trusting relations between the two countries laid a solid foundation for the successful official visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Hungary in November of the previous year, at the invitation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The Ambassador further highlighted that only recently, President Tokayev again visited Budapest to participate in the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States — all of which reflects the special significance both sides attribute to advancing the bilateral partnership.In turn, Mr. Nikolai Buryakov, Commercial Director of SCAT Airlines, underscored the dynamic development of bilateral relations and the airline’s role in enhancing air connectivity between Kazakhstan and Hungary. He shared key details about the new route with journalists, noting that direct flights between Shymkent and Budapest will operate twice a week — on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The schedule, he said, is designed for convenience and the fares remain competitive, making the route attractive to both tourists and business travelers.State Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Mr. Levente Magyar, stated that the expansion of tourism and humanitarian exchange between the two countries has been made possible thanks to a favorable political climate and the two sides’ active cooperation on the international stage — including the informal OTS summit of heads of state recently held in Budapest. He expressed gratitude to SCAT Airlines for inaugurating the new flight and voiced hope that the airline would further increase the frequency of flights in the future.In conclusion, the event participants expressed confidence in the success of the new route and praised the efficiency and professionalism of the Kazakh airline.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-budapest/press/news/details/1006559?lang=kk