Astana to host WPC Energy World Congress in 2028
Astana will host the 26th WPC Energy World Congress from June 11 to 15, 2028. The announcement was made during a meeting between Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and Serikkali Brekeshev, chairman of the KAZENERGY Association, according to the ministry’s press service.
"Hosting the Congress will make an important contribution to the development of international dialogue on energy issues and expand Kazakhstan’s cooperation with leading international companies and the expert community," the Foreign Ministry said.
While discussing the Congress’s international business programme, the two sides also noted the possibility of holding the event during the 40th plenary session of the Foreign Investors’ Council under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
"Such a format would bring together government representatives, executives of major international energy corporations and leading foreign investors at a single venue," the ministry said.
The two sides also discussed preparations for Kazakhstan’s participation in the 25th WPC Energy World Congress, which will be held in Riyadh from October 11 to 15, 2026.
"Kazakhstan plans to use the Congress as a platform to showcase the country’s investment and technological opportunities, as well as to promote Astana as the host city for the next WPC Energy World Congress in 2028," the press service said.
Following the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their readiness to further coordinate efforts to advance energy diplomacy, strengthen international cooperation and attract foreign investment to Kazakhstan’s energy sector.
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Kazakhstan to Adopt South Korean Ice Cream Production Technologies
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Kazakhstan plans to introduce advanced ice cream production technologies and begin manufacturing new types of products, the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture said.
"The Ministry of Agriculture, Shin-Line and South Korea’s Sungwon Machinery Co., Ltd. have signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding. The document aims to introduce advanced Asian technologies, expand production capacity and launch the manufacture of Korean-style ice cream products in Kazakhstan," the ministry said.
Under the agreement, the parties plan to develop technological and engineering cooperation.
"Shin-Line Engineering will be established at Shin-Line’s production site as a center of expertise for introducing, developing and adapting modern manufacturing technologies. The partnership will include automated ice cream production solutions, including Dry Coater technology, high-precision pumping stations and Summer Crunch production systems," the ministry added.
Kazakhstan and South Korea previously signed commercial agreements worth $19 billion.
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New Cargo Air Route to Link Almaty and Dubai
Flydubai plans to launch cargo flights between Almaty and Dubai on Oct. 2, 2026, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport said.
The service will operate once a week using Boeing 737 aircraft and will carry imports and exports between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates.
The ministry expects the new route to expand logistics opportunities for Kazakh businesses and support trade between the two countries.
Developing air cargo services is among Kazakhstan’s priorities for strengthening its transport and logistics potential and expanding its aviation hubs, the ministry said.
A Chinese cargo airline was previously reported to be planning flights through Astana.
Alternative headlines:
Flydubai to Launch Weekly Cargo Flights Between Almaty and Dubai
Almaty-Dubai Cargo Service to Begin in October
New Flydubai Cargo Route to Boost Kazakhstan-UAE Trade
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From Transport to AI: Key Outcomes of First Central Asia-South Korea Summit
The first Central Asia-Republic of Korea Summit elevated cooperation between the region and Seoul to the highest political level. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined key areas for future partnership, ranging from industry and transport to energy and artificial intelligence, according to the Akorda presidential press service.
One of the main initiatives was the proposed Central Asia-Korea Partnership for Industrial and Technological Development. It is expected to bring together joint projects involving localized production, technology transfer and exports of finished products.
Trade between Central Asia and South Korea exceeded $10 billion for the first time last year, with Kazakhstan accounting for about half of the total. Commercial agreements worth around $19 billion were signed during the current visit.
In the transport sector, Tokayev proposed establishing an integrated route from South Korea through Central Asia to Europe. Kazakhstan plans to increase transit through its territory to 100 million metric tons and expand the Middle Corridor’s capacity to 20 million metric tons.
Critical materials will be another area of cooperation. A joint research center for rare and rare-earth metals is planned in Almaty. The creation of a Kazakh-South Korean company was also proposed to develop an integrated production chain, from raw material extraction to high-tech manufacturing.
The parties also intend to expand cooperation in energy, water conservation and artificial intelligence. Tokayev proposed launching a regional AI Talent program to train AI specialists across Central Asia.
Kazakhstan and South Korea previously signed commercial agreements worth $19 billion and agreed to develop new areas of cooperation.
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Kazakhstan Says WTO Membership Has Expanded Its Export Opportunities
Kazakhstan has significantly increased its foreign trade and exports during its 11 years as a member of the World Trade Organization, Trade and Integration Minister Arman Shakkaliyev said at a press conference in the Kurultai.
"Overall, our participation in the WTO has meant a doubling of our trade turnover and an expansion of our export opportunities. You could say it is our certificate of good health," the minister said.
Shakkaliyev said one of the main benefits of WTO membership was having a common set of rules governing access to foreign markets.
"For us, participation in the WTO means, first and foremost, clear and non-discriminatory rules for accessing markets that are important to our exporters - China, the European Union and the United States. All of them are WTO members," he said.
According to Shakkaliyev, around 98% of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade is currently with WTO member countries.
At the same time, the minister said global trade was changing and that WTO mechanisms also needed to adapt. He said services now account for around 60% of Kazakhstan’s GDP, or 92.2 trillion tenge.
"E-commerce is a key driver. Our exports of IT services have grown significantly - by around 35% over the past five years. This is a positive development," Shakkaliyev said.
He added that e-commerce now accounts for about 15% of Kazakhstan’s retail turnover. According to the minister, one of the next priorities is to promote Kazakh goods on international e-commerce platforms.
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Kazakhstan Moves to Adopt WTO Rules on Domestic Regulation of Services
Kazakhstan’s Kurultai has approved at first reading a bill providing for the country’s adoption of World Trade Organization rules on the domestic regulation of services.
The legislation proposes ratifying amendments to Kazakhstan’s schedule of specific commitments on services, which forms part of the protocol on the country’s accession to the WTO.
The new rules cover licensing, qualification requirements and standards in the services sector. They are intended to make regulation more transparent and predictable, while simplifying administrative procedures for both domestic and foreign service providers.
Adopting the rules is expected to increase transparency in requirements for businesses and make Kazakhstan’s services market more attractive to foreign investors.
Kazakhstan joined the WTO in 2015. The rules on domestic regulation of services were developed by a group of WTO members with Kazakhstan’s participation. Negotiations were concluded in Geneva on December 2, 2021.
According to data presented to the Kurultai, 72 countries have already adopted the rules.
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Lotte Hotels Planned for Almaty and Alatau City
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Hotels operated by South Korean hospitality brand Lotte are planned for Almaty and Alatau City. Hotel Lotte Co. Ltd and Sensata Invest signed the relevant memoranda following a meeting between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, according to Akorda.
Tokayev welcomed plans to build the first Lotte hotel in Almaty and highlighted the potential for the company to further expand its hospitality business in Kazakhstan.
The meeting also covered Lotte’s operations in the food industry. The president noted the development of the Rakhat brand and the modernisation of its production facilities in Almaty and Shymkent.
The two sides also discussed Lotte Global Logistics’ plans to develop transport and logistics infrastructure and expand access to regional and international markets.
Shin Dong-bin confirmed Lotte’s plans to invest in the food industry, logistics and hospitality. The company also intends to contribute to the development of Alatau City, including the creation of the Iconic Complex.
Following the meeting, Hotel Lotte Co. Ltd and Sensata Invest exchanged memoranda of understanding on the construction of Lotte hotels in Almaty and Alatau City.
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Kazakhstan’s Grain Exports by Rail Rise 14%
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Kazakhstan exported 7.2 million tonnes of grain by rail in the first eight months of 2026, up 14% from the same period last year, according to the country’s Ministry of Transport.
During the corresponding period a year earlier, Kazakhstan shipped 6.3 million tonnes of grain to foreign markets by rail.
Central Asian countries were the largest destinations, receiving 4.8 million tonnes - 37% more than a year earlier. Shipments to Uzbekistan rose by 50% to 3.6 million tonnes, while exports to Tajikistan increased by 17% to 1 million tonnes.
Deliveries to Afghanistan recorded particularly strong growth, rising 4.4-fold to 655,000 tonnes. Rail shipments to China reached 558,000 tonnes, up 33% year on year.
Overall, Kazakhstan transported 9.3 million tonnes of grain by rail between January and August, compared with 8.2 million tonnes a year earlier - an increase of 13%.
In August alone, rail shipments reached 1.1 million tonnes, up 35% from August 2025.
The Ministry of Transport has established a dedicated working group to coordinate grain shipments. It monitors the readiness of railway infrastructure and freight wagons and works to prevent congestion and wagon delays at stations.
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Kazakhstan may establish satellite components hub with South Korea’s CONTEC
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Kazakhstan could establish a manufacturing hub for satellite components in partnership with South Korea’s CONTEC Space Group. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev and the company’s management, according to the government press service.
"One of the promising areas [of cooperation] is the establishment of a manufacturing hub in Kazakhstan to produce satellite components, with subsequent supplies to markets in Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe," the statement said.
The two sides are also considering localising the production of large-scale ground-based antenna systems.
"Particular attention was paid to developing satellite imagery processing using artificial intelligence. The use of AI will expand capabilities for analysing Earth remote-sensing data and applying it to practical tasks," the press service said.
The government also said that CONTEC is expected to establish a Kazakh subsidiary in the near future, with the details of the partnership to be further developed.
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