Kazakhstan to Ban Wheat Imports
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Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture will introduce a temporary ban on wheat imports into the country.
Under an order issued by the ministry, the import of wheat into Kazakhstan from third countries and member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will be prohibited for a period of six months by road, rail and water transport.
The restriction will not apply to wheat delivered by rail to poultry farms, grain processing enterprises, licensed grain elevators, or Food Contract Corporation JSC, the state-owned national grain operator.
The order is scheduled to enter into force on 27 July 2026.
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Three Years of Negotiations: Kazakhstan Joins South Korea’s Employment Permit System
Kazakhstan has officially been included in South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS). The decision follows agreements between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea on employment and labour cooperation, including those reached at the level of the two countries’ leaders.
Cooperation in this area was formalised following the state visit of then South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to Kazakhstan in June 2024. During talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in employment and labour. The commitment was included in a joint statement by the two countries.
During the visit, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor signed a memorandum of understanding. The document confirmed the two sides’ intention to include Kazakhstan in South Korea’s Employment Permit System.
The process also continued through diplomatic channels. In July this year, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to South Korea, Asset Isenali, met in Seoul with Jang Hyun-seok, Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau at South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor.
The two sides discussed cooperation on labour migration, employment and the training of skilled workers. They also considered promising areas for further cooperation and agreed to continue joint efforts to advance the relevant initiatives.
On 14 August, the South Korean government decided to include Kazakhstan among the countries participating in the E-9 scheme. Kazakhstan will therefore become the 18th country to participate in the EPS.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection said work to secure the country’s inclusion in the system had been under way since 2023 on the instructions of the president.
In January 2026, a delegation of South Korean experts visited Kazakhstan to assess the country’s readiness to launch the system. The assessment included the possibility of establishing an EPS centre, conducting Korean-language tests, assessing candidates’ professional skills and carrying out medical examinations.
Following the assessment, the South Korean side concluded that Kazakhstan was ready to participate in the programme.
The first Kazakh citizens are expected to be able to travel to South Korea for work through the EPS from 2028. Before then, the two countries will need to sign an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding and establish an EPS-TOPIK centre in Kazakhstan to conduct Korean-language testing.
The EPS provides for the organised employment of foreign nationals in South Korea through official government channels. Kazakh citizens seeking employment under the scheme will be required to pass a Korean-language test, undergo a professional skills assessment and complete a medical examination.
Kazakhstan’s Labour Ministry warned citizens not to pay intermediaries promising guaranteed or fast-track employment in South Korea before the programme is officially launched.
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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 Build 1.7 Trillion Tenge Gas Processing Plant at Karachaganak
Construction of a gas processing plant worth 1.7 trillion tenge is set to begin at the Karachaganak field. West Kazakhstan Region Governor Nariman Turegaliyev reported on the project to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, according to Akorda.
The plant will have a processing capacity of 5 billion cubic metres of gas per year. In addition, construction of a new bridge across the Ural River is expected to begin by the end of this year.
The president was also informed that 121 new social facilities worth a total of 138 billion tenge had been built in the region over the past three years. A total of 1,542 kilometres of roads have also been repaired.
"At the end of last year, gross agricultural output reached 320 billion tenge. Since the launch of the Auyl Amanaty programme, 1,414 projects have received financing and around 2,000 new jobs have been created," the statement said.
Following the meeting, Tokayev instructed officials to continue efforts to further develop the region, accelerate the modernisation of utility infrastructure and take additional measures to improve residents’ quality of life.
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Kazakhstan’s National Fund and Reserves Reach $127.3 Billion
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The combined volume of Kazakhstan’s National Fund and gold and foreign exchange reserves has reached $127.3 billion. The figure was announced during a meeting between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov, according to Akorda.
"The National Fund’s investment income reached $2.3 billion in the first half of this year. Pension assets managed by the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund amounted to 27.8 trillion tenge, an increase of 1.7 trillion tenge since the beginning of the year," the statement said.
The president was also briefed on lending trends in the economy.
As of 1 July 2026, banks’ loan portfolios for business lending had increased by 17.1% year-on-year, while lending to small and medium-sized businesses accelerated to 29.6%.
"At the same time, growth in consumer lending slowed from 21.0% at the beginning of the year to 13.0%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the prudential measures adopted and a normalisation in the pace of consumer lending. As a result, credit resources are being redirected towards financing businesses," the press service said.
Tokayev was briefed on the state of the economy, business activity, factors driving inflation and measures being taken to stabilise prices.
According to Akorda, annual inflation has declined for the tenth consecutive month, reaching 10.2% in July.
The president was also updated on the implementation of his instructions to develop the digital financial assets industry and Kazakhstan’s national digital financial infrastructure.
"As part of the national payment system, QR payments and transfers using phone numbers between customers of any bank have been available since 19 July. Since the launch, the system has processed 6.5 million transactions worth 170 billion tenge," the press service said.
Suleimenov said the National Bank was taking all necessary measures to ensure price stability and achieve its medium-term inflation target of 5%.
Following the meeting, Tokayev set a number of tasks for the National Bank and stressed the importance of further stabilising inflation.
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Kazakhstan Calls for Wider AI Use in EAEU Agriculture
Kazakhstan has proposed that members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) jointly use artificial intelligence in agriculture. The initiative was discussed at a meeting of the EAEU Council on Agro-Industrial Policy.
Kazakhstan proposed launching pilot projects using AI in crop and livestock farming, with successful solutions subsequently rolled out across other EAEU member states.
According to data presented at the meeting, 100% of Kazakhstan’s agricultural land has already been digitised, while farmers receive state support electronically. The EAEU also operates an electronic system for exchanging phytosanitary certificate data. The information systems of Kazakhstan and Russia have undergone international testing on the platform of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
Participants also discussed food security. Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut said that the EAEU’s food self-sufficiency rate reached 94% last year.
"Consolidating scientific potential within the Union is essential to creating an innovative foundation for a modern agro-industrial sector. It is joint efforts to advance agricultural science that will have the necessary impact in introducing cutting-edge developments and improving the efficiency of the entire industry," Lut said.
The parties also discussed joint projects in the agro-industrial sector, the development of seed production and breeding, investment and industrial cooperation, as well as scientific research for 2026-2030.
Another topic was the warehouse receipt system. The relevant agreement came into force on 1 July 2026. It allows agricultural products to be used as collateral for loans secured against grain and other produce.
Participants also discussed preparations for an agreement on the mutual recognition of halal products within the EAEU. The initiative was proposed by Kyrgyzstan. Common rules are expected to help reduce administrative barriers and facilitate mutual trade.
"Our countries have significant production, investment and scientific potential. The task for the next stage is to combine these capabilities as effectively as possible. Joint projects should create new added value, strengthen food security, expand markets and increase the competitiveness of EAEU products," Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said.
Next year, the chairmanship of the EAEU Council on Agro-Industrial Policy will pass to Kyrgyzstan.
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Kazakhstan, EU Discuss Energy Supplies via CPC
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Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas held a telephone conversation.
The two sides discussed cooperation in the energy sector, including prospects for international infrastructure for energy supplies and the operation of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).
According to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, the conversation also covered agreements reached during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Brussels on 23 June.
Kosherbayev and Kallas discussed expanding trade and economic ties, promising areas for cooperation, as well as the schedule of upcoming bilateral and multilateral meetings.
The two sides reaffirmed their interest in further strengthening the partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union.
Earlier, Kazakhstan and Greece discussed the security of oil supplies via the CPC.
Kazakhstan is also considering additional routes for oil exports following temporary restrictions imposed by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium on accepting crude oil.
On 20 July, another attack on a civilian tanker occurred at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s marine terminal, resulting in the suspension of oil loading operations.
In addition, during the night of 30 July, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker NIFFOS SIFNOS, which was loading oil at Single Point Mooring 3 (SPM-3) at the CPC marine terminal, came under a drone attack.
The Isle of Man-flagged tanker MARATHI was also attacked six nautical miles from the CPC marine terminal, in territorial waters, while it was heading to the terminal to take on oil.
Ukraine later agreed to halt attacks on the CPC, Bloomberg reported.
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Kazakhstan, China Move to Deepen Industrial and Energy Cooperation
Kazakhstan and China intend to continue strengthening cooperation in industry, construction and energy. The issue was discussed during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlan Nalibayev and Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin, according to the government’s press service.
"During the meeting, the sides reviewed the current state of Kazakh-Chinese cooperation in industry, construction and energy, the progress of joint initiatives, as well as promising areas for further strengthening cooperation," the statement said.
Nalibayev highlighted the strategic nature of relations between Kazakhstan and China and the significant potential for further developing cooperation between the two countries.
Han Chunlin, in turn, reaffirmed China’s readiness to further develop the mutually beneficial partnership.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the sides agreed to maintain contacts on key issues of bilateral cooperation.
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Belgian Companies Eye Grain Processing Projects in Kazakhstan
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Belgian companies Maselis and Borlix NV are considering cooperation with Kazakhstan in deep grain processing and the production of food ingredients and animal feed, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said following a working visit by Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium Roman Vassilenko to the province of West Flanders.
During meetings with company executives, the sides discussed bringing modern processing technologies to Kazakhstan and potential joint investment projects in the agricultural sector.
According to the Kazakh side, Kazakhstan’s exports to Belgium rose by 48% in 2025 to $311.5 million. Flaxseed was the country’s main export commodity. Belgium remains the largest European market for Kazakh flaxseed, while Kazakhstan ranks as the European Union’s leading supplier of flaxseed.
Vassilenko also highlighted the potential of the Middle Corridor and the use of Antwerp-Bruges port infrastructure to increase exports of Kazakh agricultural products to the EU. During the visit, he toured the Zeebrugge port complex.
The ambassador also met with Blankenberge Mayor Björn Prasse. They discussed cooperation between the Belgian city and Kazakhstan’s tourist regions, including resort management, environmental projects, the development of yachting infrastructure and urban mobility.
The two sides also intend to develop direct ties between regions and municipalities in Kazakhstan and Belgium.
Belgian companies are being considered as potential partners ahead of the first state visit by Belgium’s King Philippe to Kazakhstan, scheduled for autumn 2026.
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