Kazakhstan’s grain transportation grows by 15%
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The Kazakh Transport Ministry, concerned state bodies, transport operators and business community representatives held a meeting of the grain shipment operational headquarters, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The Transport Ministry reported a 15% increase in grain shipments in the first quarter of 2026, totaling 4.1 million tons.
The country’s grain exports reached 3.2 million tons, 18% up, while domestic shipments hit 0.9 million tons, 8% up.
According to the Ministry, shipments to Central Asian countries surged by 48% to stand at 2.1 million tons, including 1.5 million tons to Uzbekistan.
Grain shipments to and via Russia amounted to 512,000 tons. Grain exports to Afghanistan soared by 4.2 times up to 302,000 tons, while feed flour exports to China doubled, reaching 1 million tons.
Notably, Kazakhstan plans to launch new grain processing enterprises with a combined capacity of 5.8 million tons per year by 2028.
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OPEC+ set for another oil output quota hike despite Hormuz closure, sources say
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OPEC+ has agreed in principle to raise oil output targets in June, two sources familiar with the group's thinking said on Saturday, but the increase will remain largely on paper as long as the U.S.-Iran war continues to disrupt Gulf oil supplies, reuters reports.
Seven OPEC+ countries have an agreement in principle to raise oil output targets by about 188,000 barrels per day in June, the third consecutive monthly increase, pressing on with plans despite the war and the departure of the United Arab Emirates from the group this week, the sources said ahead of a policy meeting on Sunday.
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Kazakhstan and Moldova are expanding trade, economic, and investment cooperation
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Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Moldova Almat Aidarbekov, held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of the Republic of Moldova, Eugen Osmochescu, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, the Ambassador informed about the measures being implemented by the leadership of Kazakhstan aimed at the country’s further socio-economic and political development. Particular attention was paid to the course of economic and political reforms of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as well as to issues related to attracting foreign investment and Kazakhstan’s commitment to its international obligations.
The Moldovan side, in turn, expressed its readiness to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two states. In this context, the parties discussed the prospects for expanding bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation.
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Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia Confirmed Mutual Interest in Developing Cooperation in the Energy Sector
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Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Madiyar Menilbekov held negotiations with the Deputy Minister of Energy of the Kingdom for International Relations and Cooperation Nasser Al-Dossari, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the conversation, the parties discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia in the energy sector, and emphasized the importance of further strengthening engagement within multilateral platforms.
Particular attention was given to expanding investment partnerships, as well as promoting joint projects aimed at sustainable development and diversification of energy resources.
The parties confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening Kazakh-Saudi ties and agreed to continue coordination on priority areas of cooperation.
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Kazakhstan and China Strengthen Investment and Financial Cooperation
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With the support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Shanghai, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), in cooperation with the Shanghai Stock Exchange, held the business event "AIFC Connect: Shanghai 2026", Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The main objective of the event was to strengthen investment and financial cooperation between Kazakhstan and China, develop direct contacts with Chinese investors, and promote projects through the AIFC infrastructure.
The Consul General of Kazakhstan in Shanghai, Nurlan Akkoshkarov, emphasized the strategic nature of Kazakh-Chinese relations, as well as the priorities of deepening investment cooperation, integrating capital markets, and expanding bilateral business ties. To date, trade turnover between the two countries has reached USD 48.7 billion, reflecting steady growth in bilateral trade.
The event featured presentations of AIFC projects, the Green Finance Centre, and business representatives, including KAZ Minerals Management, Solidcore Eurasia, and ITS CSD. Participants were introduced to a wide range of investment opportunities-from mining and metallurgical industries and infrastructure projects to digital solutions and green finance instruments.
Special attention was given to capital market integration. The discussion included representatives of Samruk-Kazyna, China International Capital Corporation (CICC), Freedom Broker, and Jiaxin International Resources Investment Ltd.
During the forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the AIFC Green Finance Centre and the International Green Economy Association (IGEA), aimed at developing joint environmental initiatives. The AIFC Insights analytical center also presented an overview of capital markets in Central Asia and the Caucasus, noting that Kazakhstan remains the region’s largest financial market, with a bond market volume of approximately USD 81 billion.
A key practical outcome was the announcement of expanded opportunities for listing yuan-denominated bonds (panda bonds) on the Astana International Exchange (AIX), in which the Shanghai Stock Exchange is a shareholder. In April 2026, AIX carried out the first placement of panda bonds in Kazakhstan and Central Asia by Samruk-Kazyna totaling 3 billion yuan, creating an additional channel for attracting Chinese capital.
In response to the global demand for decarbonization, the regional AIFC Carbon Platform was presented, enabling operations with international instruments, including I-REC certificates and carbon credits. In addition, the capabilities of the AIFC aviation hub were showcased, designed for structuring aircraft leasing and financing transactions.
The event concluded with a series of bilateral meetings, during which specific projects and cooperation formats between business representatives and financial institutions of Kazakhstan and China were discussed.
The AIFC operates as a jurisdiction based on English common law and serves as a regional platform for attracting investment, developing capital markets, and introducing financial instruments. The AIFC Connect format is aimed at direct engagement with investors and has previously been implemented in key financial centers, including Singapore, London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Beijing.
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Kazakhstan not to change format of its participation in OPEC+
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At present, the issue of changing the country’s participation format in the OPEC+ is not on the agenda, the Kazakh Energy Ministry said in a statement, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Kazakhstan has been part of OPEC+ since 2016. Member states are coordinating oil production volumes to help stabilize global prices.
Earlier, the United Arab Emirates said it would exit OPEC+ after more than 50 years, citing national interests and market flexibility.
In March 2026, eight OPEC+ countries, including Kazakhstan, agreed to increase oil output starting April, with a monthly rise of 206,000 barrels per day.
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Kazakhstan and Slovakia Discuss Priority Areas for Transport and Logistics Cooperation
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Slovakia, Zhanna Saginova met with the Minister of Transport of the Slovak Republic, Jozef Ráž, to discuss ways to advance bilateral cooperation in the transport sector, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The Ambassador outlined Kazakhstan’s potential as a key transport and logistics hub in Eurasia, noting that these capabilities could be leveraged both in bilateral economic relations and in the development of transit multimodal transport.
In the context of expanding trade and economic cooperation, the parties emphasized the importance of developing efficient routes and resilient supply chains between Kazakhstan and Slovakia. The Ambassador also highlighted the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route linking Central Asia and Europe and invited the Slovak side to consider joining the International Association of TITR.
The parties agreed that strengthening transport connectivity would benefit from aligning the Middle Corridor with the Trans-European Transport Network, in which Bratislava serves as one of Europe’s key transport hubs, offering multimodal services, including inland waterway transport. As a potential partner of the Association, the Minister proposed the Slovak Republic Public Port.
Particular attention was also given to cooperation in civil aviation and air cargo. The interlocutors underlined the importance of establishing regular direct passenger flights between Kazakhstan and Slovakia, as well as the potential of using the international airports of Astana and Almaty - both with modern infrastructure and advantageous geographic locations - as transit hubs for flights from Slovakia to Asia. According to the Slovak side, the early conclusion of a relevant bilateral agreement would create the necessary conditions for both passenger and cargo air services.
Jozef Ráž reaffirmed the Slovak Government’s interest in deepening cooperation with Kazakhstan and noted that the development of transport logistics and direct air links would help expand bilateral trade, strengthen business ties, increase tourist flows, and enhance humanitarian contacts between the two countries.
At the end of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their readiness to make the necessary efforts to further develop transport and logistics cooperation between Kazakhstan and Slovakia.
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