Brent crude rises to $81.66 amid supply concerns
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Brent crude futures rose by more than $1 per barrel in early Asian trading, WAM reports.
Brent crude futures gained $1.09, or 1.35 percent, to US$81.66 per barrel after touching an intraday high of US$82.30 at the start of trading.
The increase was driven by renewed concerns over global oil supplies and uncertainty surrounding energy shipments through key Middle East export routes, supporting crude prices in early trading.
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EBRD to Provide KZT 229.5 Billion for Reconstruction of Aktobe-Ulgaysyn Highway Section
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A financing agreement for the reconstruction of a section of the Aktobe-Karabutak-Ulgaysyn highway, part of the international Western Europe-Western China transport corridor, has been signed in Brussels, Kazakhstan's national road operator KazAvtoZhol said.
The agreement was concluded between KazAvtoZhol and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The EBRD loan amounts to KZT 229.5 billion. The document was signed by KazAvtoZhol Chairman Darkhan Imanashev.
The project envisages the reconstruction of 234 kilometres of road between kilometres 763-791 and 819-1025. The highway will be upgraded to the highest technical category, featuring four lanes, asphalt concrete pavement and a design speed of up to 120 km/h.
The total cost of the project is estimated at KZT 523 billion. Financing will be provided by the EBRD and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
According to the national company, the reconstruction will reduce travel time along the section to 1.4 hours. By 2048, traffic volume on the route is expected to reach nearly 27,000 vehicles per day.
The project also предусматривает the introduction of intelligent transport systems, including electronic toll collection, automated weight control and road and weather monitoring systems.
The highway will be delivered under a Design-Build-Maintain model, which combines design, construction and long-term maintenance responsibilities within a single contract.
The construction phase is expected to create 3,007 jobs, while a further 124 permanent positions will be generated after the road becomes operational. Plans also include the development of roadside infrastructure, including hotels, filling stations, vehicle service centres, campsites and food service facilities.
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Kazakhstan Proposes New Areas for the Development of the Belt and Road Initiative
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Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, during a working visit to China, took part in a session dedicated to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), where he outlined key priorities for its future development, the government's press service reported.
According to Bektenov, the main areas for the initiative's further development should include strengthening infrastructure connectivity, creating a digital Middle Corridor, advancing the green agenda, and expanding trade, investment and financial cooperation mechanisms.
Bektenov noted that Kazakhstan, located at the heart of Eurasia, provides access to a market of approximately 1.7 billion consumers. Over the past seven years, the country has invested more than $35 billion in the development of transport and transit infrastructure. Major projects implemented during this period include the container hub in Aktau, the dry port in Xi'an, and the construction of second railway tracks along the Dostyk-Moiynty section.
The implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative has clearly demonstrated one thing: when connectivity expands, opportunities multiply. Kazakhstan and China are a vivid example of this. The Silk Road has always thrived on openness, trust and a willingness to join forces. Kazakhstan remains committed to this spirit. We consider ourselves a reliable partner of China and a key bridge between regions. At the same time, we remain equally open to ambitious, mutually beneficial projects with all partners who share this vision," he said.
As part of his visit to China, Bektenov also discussed economic cooperation with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, including trade development, expanded investment cooperation, collaboration in the agricultural sector, transport and logistics, and other areas.
Kazakhstan and China share a long history of friendship and cooperation based on mutual respect and support. Today, bilateral relations are developing in the spirit of an everlasting comprehensive strategic partnership and are entering a new phase of a 'golden thirty years'," the Kazakh prime minister said.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang highlighted the high level of strategic cooperation between the two countries and expressed readiness to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Today, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan continues to deepen and expand, becoming a model of mutual support and good-neighbourly relations. In the current international environment, our countries, as reliable partners, should strengthen coordination and work together for shared development. The Chinese side stands ready to continue joint efforts, enhance political trust, align development strategies and expand multidimensional cooperation for the prosperity of our peoples," Li said.
China remains one of Kazakhstan's key trade and investment partners. In 2025, bilateral trade exceeded $48 billion, while direct investment from China reached $2.8 billion.
Trade turnover in the agro-industrial sector has also demonstrated steady growth. In 2025, bilateral agricultural trade increased by 36% to more than $1.9 billion. In the transport and logistics sector, Kazakhstan continues to play a pivotal role in overland freight transportation between China and Europe, with more than 85% of cargo flows passing through its territory. Railway freight traffic between Kazakhstan and China reached 35.6 million tonnes in 2025, up 11% year-on-year.
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More Than 700 Attempts to Smuggle Fuel Out of Kazakhstan Prevented Since Start of the Year
Kazakh authorities have prevented 712 attempts to illegally export fuel and lubricants through road border checkpoints since the beginning of 2026, the government said.
Since the introduction of the fuel export ban, the Ministry of Energy has shut down six illegal channels used to move fuel abroad. More than 1,500 tonnes of fuel and lubricants have been seized from illegal circulation.
Since the start of the year, law enforcement agencies have opened eight criminal cases. These include the illegal processing of 28,500 tonnes of unaccounted-for crude oil and the smuggling of more than 190,000 tonnes of petrol. The shadow turnover generated by these schemes exceeded 37.2 billion tenge.
The Interior Ministry is also uncovering schemes involving the export of fuel using modified vehicles. Inspections are being carried out at vehicle service stations where additional fuel tanks may be installed.
In the Zhambyl Region alone, authorities identified 73 cases of illegal installation of additional fuel tanks and gas-cylinder equipment between late April and mid-June. In the village of Korday, inspections were conducted at 16 vehicle service stations, with enforcement measures taken against six owners.
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Security, Fertiliser Plant and K9 Training: What Kazakhstan and Afghanistan Agreed On
Kazakh specialists may take part in the modernisation of a nitrogen production plant in Mazar-i-Sharif. The issue was discussed during a meeting in Kabul between Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin and Afghanistan’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.
According to statements issued after the talks, Kazakh engineers have already visited the facility. The next stage will involve a technical assessment of the plant, determining the scope of the required work and estimating project costs.
Kazakh companies have expressed readiness to participate in upgrading the facility, supplying equipment and carrying out commissioning works. The two sides also discussed project financing, logistics and security arrangements for specialists who would be working at the site.
In addition, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan discussed cooperation in the field of security. According to Zhumangarin, the relevant agencies of both countries are exploring closer cooperation in combating transnational crime, including drug trafficking and extremism. The Kazakh side also expressed its readiness to sign a memorandum of cooperation between the competent authorities.
The parties also devoted particular attention to the training of K9 handlers. Kazakhstan offered to train Afghan specialists at the Interior Ministry’s Canine Training Centre in Almaty. Five Afghan handlers are expected to undergo training this year, while five service dogs are scheduled to be transferred to the Afghan side next year.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their interest in further expanding cooperation and implementing joint projects.
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Trade Between Kazakhstan and Belgium Exceeds $582 Million
Kazakhstan and Belgium continue to strengthen their trade, economic and investment ties. Bilateral trade turnover reached $582.4 million in 2025, up 27.6% compared with the previous year, according to Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry.
Kazakh exports to Belgium amounted to $311.5 million, marking a 48% increase from 2024 levels. Imports of Belgian goods to Kazakhstan rose by 10.1% to $270.9 million.
The positive trend has continued this year. In the first four months of 2026, bilateral trade reached $179.5 million. Kazakhstan's exports totaled $100.5 million, while imports stood at $79 million.
Belgium remains one of the largest European investors in Kazakhstan's economy. Between 2005 and 2025, gross inflows of Belgian foreign direct investment exceeded $14.8 billion. In 2025 alone, Belgian investment in Kazakhstan totaled $1.045 billion.
Currently, 110 enterprises with Belgian capital operate in Kazakhstan. Business cooperation has been further supported by the Kazakhstan-Belgium Business Council, established in May 2023.
In addition to economic cooperation, the two countries are actively expanding cultural and humanitarian ties. In 2025-2026, Kazakh cultural centres were opened in Brussels and Ghent, a Week of Kazakh Culture was held, and the Shanyraq Dialogues and Shanyraq Fest initiatives were launched.
Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Belgium were established on August 25, 1992. Over the years, the two countries have built a solid legal and treaty framework and continue to cooperate within international organisations.
As previously reported, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is paying an official visit to Brussels on June 22-23 at the invitation of European Council President António Costa.
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Kazakhstan Produces and Processes 21 of the EU’s 34 Critical Raw Materials
Kazakhstan produces and processes 21 of the 34 critical raw materials included on the European Union’s list of strategic resources. The information was announced during a meeting of the Kazakh-French Working Group on Cooperation in Critical Raw Materials, according to the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan.
The discussion focused on ongoing efforts to improve the investment climate and further digitalise the subsoil use sector in Kazakhstan," the ministry said in a statement.
Representatives of the Ministry of Industry reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to develop practical and mutually beneficial cooperation with French partners. They invited French companies to take an active part in joint projects involving geological exploration, raw material processing and the introduction of advanced technologies.
Following the meeting, both sides confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening their long-term strategic partnership and agreed to continue implementing joint initiatives and projects," the ministry’s press service added.
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Commodity Gas Prices in Kazakhstan May Rise by 33% from July
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Commodity gas prices in Kazakhstan may increase by 33% from 1 July, Deputy Energy Minister Kairkhan Tutkyshbayev said during a briefing at the Central Communications Service.
From 1 July, we expect the average price of commodity gas to increase by 33%. This is necessary to ensure the timely and reliable passage of the heating season and to modernise gas infrastructure. At the same time, we do not expect a sharp increase in prices for households," the deputy minister said.
According to Tutkyshbayev, gas production in Kazakhstan has declined due to technical disruptions at several fields, including the Tengiz oil and gas field.
I would like to emphasise that this reduction in production has had no impact on gas supplies to the population, as the national operator, QazaqGaz, has met domestic demand through transit gas flows," he added.
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Kazakhstan-Thailand Trade Turnover Exceeds $255 Million
Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Thailand, Margulan Baimukhan, held a meeting with Adis Harinsut, Adviser of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chanthapat Panjamanond, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade of the Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
Parties discussed the current state and prospects of Kazakhstan-Thailand trade and economic cooperation, as well as measures to further expand bilateral trade, investment, and business ties.
Particular attention was paid to preparations for the first meeting of the Kazakhstan-Thailand Joint Trade Committee, which is tentatively scheduled to take place in September this year. The parties also discussed the need to enhance the work of sectoral cooperation mechanisms, including the Working Group on Agriculture and cooperation in the field of transport and logistics.
Ambassador Baimukhan emphasized the importance of further strengthening the bilateral legal framework, including advancing the Agreement on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments and the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation. It was noted that these agreements would contribute to expanding investment cooperation and creating a more favorable environment for business.
The interlocutors exchanged views on the development of international transport corridors and the removal of logistical barriers, including routes passing through China and Central Asia. The Kazakh side expressed interest in more actively utilizing Kazakhstan’s potential as a transport, logistics, and trade hub for facilitating Thai companies’ access to the markets of Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Special attention was also paid to prospects for expanding cooperation in agriculture, food security, logistics, digital technologies, and the implementation of joint projects in third-country markets, including African states.
The Thai side expressed its interest in further developing cooperation with Kazakhstan, noting the high potential of the Kazakh market and the positive perception of Thai products among Kazakh consumers.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close cooperation in trade, investment, and logistics, and underscored the importance of sustaining an active dialogue between relevant government agencies and business communities of the two countries in order to realize the full potential of Kazakhstan-Thailand partnership.
Bilateral trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Thailand amounted to USD 255.1 million in 2025. Kazakhstan remains Thailand’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. Significant potential for further growth exists in the areas of agribusiness, food industry, logistics, digital economy, tourism, and investment cooperation.
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