Kazakhstan to spend KZT100bn to fight COVID-19 this year

Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Kenya Barlybay Sadykov met with the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Kenya Lee Kinyanjui, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda, plans for developing cooperation in trade, economic, and investment spheres, upcoming bilateral visits at various levels, and the development of a bilateral legal framework.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to strengthen cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral interaction, including in the areas of trade, the development of transit and transport routes including the use of the port of Mombasa, agriculture, as well as the organization of visits of business representatives and the creation of a business council.

The parties agreed to continue cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including within the framework of the established Working group on Trade and Investment.

 

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to France, Gulsara Arystankulova, met with Co-Chairman of the Kazakhstan-France Business Council Guy Sidos and President of the French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCE), Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Sophie Sidos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The parties discussed the current state and prospects for the implementation of joint projects, emphasizing the importance of further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Particular attention was paid to expanding trade and investment cooperation, including the development of partnerships with French regions. In this context, the parties confirmed their interest in intensifying business contacts and deepening practical cooperation.

In the energy and environmental sectors, the parties welcomed the participation of French companies, including EDF, Orano, Veolia, SUEZ, and Hydroplus, in the Regional Environmental Summit held in Astana on April 22-24.

As part of the ongoing bilateral investment dialogue, the parties noted the participation of the Kazakh side in the upcoming Choose France Summit, which will take place on June 1 in France.

In addition, the parties discussed the schedule and substantive agenda of upcoming joint events in Kazakhstan and France.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to intensify efforts aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership and attracting French companies to the implementation of projects in various sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy.

 

The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Kuwait Yerzhan Yelekeyev held a meeting with Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Hamad Al-Marzouq, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for the development of Kazakh-Kuwaiti cooperation in the investment, banking, trade and economic spheres.

Particular attention was paid to food security issues. The Ambassador of Kazakhstan highlighted the significant potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the agro-industrial sector, including meat production, emphasizing the country’s readiness to contribute to strengthening food security in the State of Kuwait and the wider region. In this context, the parties discussed opportunities for supplying Kazakh agricultural products to the Kuwaiti market, as well as implementing joint investment projects, including the establishment of agro-industrial and livestock farming facilities in Kazakhstan.

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan also informed the Kuwaiti side about the implementation of the Alatau City project in Kazakhstan - one of the country’s largest urban development initiatives, envisioned as a modern digital city of accelerated development with advanced innovation and investment infrastructure.

The Kuwaiti side expressed particular interest in expanding cooperation in the field of food security and stated its intention to explore opportunities for cooperation with Kazakh companies. In addition, representatives of Kuwait Finance House confirmed their interest in developing cooperation with Kazakhstan in the banking sector, including studying the procedures and requirements for obtaining a banking license in Kazakhstan.

 

A meeting was held in Astana between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov and the His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia David Reed MBE, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The discussion focused on prospects for further strengthening Kazakh-British trade, economic and investment partnership, as well as priority items on the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission.

Positive dynamics in bilateral trade and significant potential for its further growth were noted. In this context, it was emphasized that Kazakhstan is the United Kingdom’s largest trading partner in Central Asia: of nearly GBP 5 billion in UK trade with the countries of the region, around GBP 2.7 billion accounts for Kazakhstan.

Particular attention was paid to the development of investment cooperation in critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, transport and logistics, financial services, digitalization, artificial intelligence and education. The potential for cooperation in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route was also highlighted, taking into account Kazakhstan’s strategic location and its role in ensuring resilient supply chains between Europe and Asia.

The meeting also addressed opportunities to attract British expertise and financial instruments for the implementation of infrastructure, energy and industrial projects in Kazakhstan. In this context, the ratified Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was noted as creating a favorable framework for advancing concrete mutually beneficial projects, expanding institutional engagement and ensuring the practical implementation of agreements across key areas of the bilateral agenda.

Humanitarian and educational cooperation was also noted to be gaining momentum, including through the expanding presence of British universities in Kazakhstan. Education, skills development and the advancement of the innovation ecosystem were highlighted as important elements of long-term economic partnership.

Following the meeting, readiness was reaffirmed to further deepen the Kazakh-British strategic partnership, expand mutual trade and ensure the practical implementation of the agreements reached.

 

At today’s 6th meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Kazakhstan and Türkiye have reaffirmed their goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to 15 billion US dollars, Qazinform News Agency reports.

President Erdoğan said the two nations aim to increase commodity turnover to 15 billion US dollars. He emphasized the importance of implementing the action plan adopted at the 14th meeting of the Joint Economic Cooperation Commission held on April 15 in Astana.

He noted that both sides will continue to encourage investment and highlighted the role of business forums in bringing together the private sector.

Presidents of Kazakhstan and Türkiye are also expected to attend the closing ceremony of a business forum today.

 

The Kazakh Senate ratified a Treaty between the Governments of Kazakhstan and China on the Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments, Qazinform News Agency reports.

According to Senate deputy Sergey Yershov, the ratification of the new investment protection agreement marks the final step in giving legal force to commitments made during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Astana in June last year.

The ratification will update the 1992 treaty and modernize the legal framework to align with global standards.

It eliminates discrimination and ensures parity for Kazakh and Chinese investors.

The treaty is expected to stimulate high-tech investment, create jobs, and strengthen Kazakhstan’s export potential.

In 2025, direct investment from China reached 2.8 billion US dollars, 135% up against the same period of the previous year.

Total Chinese investment in Kazakhstan between 2005 and 2025 reached 29.3 billion US dollars.

Kazakh investment in China between 2005 and 2025 hit 926.9 million US dollars.

Bilateral trade turnover in 2025 totaled 34.1 billion US dollars, up 13.2% from the previous year.

 

Kazakhstan became the first country among Central Asian and South Caucasus states to organize an investment roundtable titled "Strategic Sectors and U.S. Market Entry Opportunities" at one of the U.S. Government’s premier investment forums, the SelectUSA Investment Summit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The event’s central focus was on promoting opportunities for Kazakhstan’s companies to enter the U.S. market and on attracting investment into the American economy. For the first time, Kazakhstan’s business community was represented by a large-scale delegation, demonstrating a strong level of interest in expanding its presence in the United States.

The roundtable was organized by Central Asia Strategic Advisory (CASA) and QazTrade in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the United States, with the support of strategic partner Freedom Holding Corp.

The event brought together more than 120 representatives of government institutions, investment circles, and the business community of the United States, reflecting growing interest in strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States Magzhan Ilyassov noted that an increasing number of Kazakh companies are already entering the U.S. market or planning to do so in the near future. He emphasized that Kazakhstan is developing a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, innovative agriculture, healthcare, and the food industry, and that Kazakh businesses are demonstrating strong competitiveness in the U.S. market.

According to the Kazakh Ambassador, the roundtable provided an additional platform for establishing business contacts, discussing specific investment projects, and identifying new avenues for cooperation.

U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie Stufft, who led a delegation of Kazakh business representatives, highlighted the significant investment potential of the U.S. market, noting its scale, technological diversity, and access to resources.

During the roundtable, representatives of Kazakh companies already operating in the United States shared practical experience in international expansion, engagement with investors, and adaptation to the requirements of the U.S. business environment. In particular, leading Kazakh companies, including Freedom Holding Corp., 1Thirty Holding, Eurasia Group Kazakhstan, Hero’s Journey, and Call2Action, delivered presentations during the session.

 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov reported at the Government session on the progress of spring field works and measures to provide agricultural producers with necessary resources, primeminister.kz reports.

In particular, he noted that since the beginning of the year, the issue of high-quality and timely spring field works has been under special control of the Ministry, and all problematic issues are being considered at meetings of the Operational Headquarters.

According to the Deputy Minister, the structure of sown areas has been formed jointly with the akimats. The total area amounts to 23.8 million hectares, which is 180 thousand hectares more than last year. Priority is given to high-margin crops: areas under oilseeds will exceed 4 million hectares, and under fodder crops — 3.3 million hectares. To provide raw materials for corn processing projects, corn sowing areas will be expanded to 265 thousand hectares. To saturate the domestic market, potato planting areas in organized farms will be increased by 10 thousand hectares. Azat Sultanov emphasized that this structure will fully meet domestic needs and reduce risks associated with price fluctuations.

Work on diversification continues: grain areas have been reduced by 127 thousand hectares. In order to reduce the burden on water resources, rice and cotton areas are being optimized. For the first time, the structure of sown areas has been approved in accordance with the actual water limit: rice area has been reduced by 20.2 thousand hectares, while areas under cotton with drip irrigation have been increased by 29.8 thousand hectares, with a reduction in traditional irrigation methods by 12 thousand hectares.

The Deputy Minister informed that sowing has already begun in almost all regions. More than 2 million hectares have been sown, including grains, oilseeds, fodder, vegetable and melon crops, and potatoes. The condition of 94% of winter crops is assessed as optimal.

He also reported on the development of a digital platform for monitoring the progress of the campaign, which is currently operating in pilot mode. In the future, it is planned to introduce elements of artificial intelligence for process forecasting.

Regarding technical equipment, Azat Sultanov noted that agricultural machinery is fully ready. Last year, the fleet renewal rate reached 6.5%, with a target of 8% this year. State support measures are focused on domestic producers: the reimbursement share for the purchase of Kazakhstani machinery is 30%. Thanks to this, agricultural machinery production grew by 22% over the year, and such global brands as Claas and John Deere entered the market. 402 thousand tons of preferential diesel fuel have been allocated for the works, more than half of which has already been shipped.

Regarding seed material, the Vice Minister noted that the demand for 2.3 million tons has been fully met. From this year, a new mechanism for subsidizing seeds with priority for domestic entities has come into force. At the same time, he reminded that seed testing at the expense of the state has been cancelled — farmers must now conduct it at their own expense.

On mineral fertilizers, it was reported that 2.3 million tons are planned to be applied this year. As of now, 1.1 million tons have been shipped. Despite the rise in world prices, fertilizer prices on the domestic market were fixed at the beginning of the year.

In addition, early preparation for the harvest is underway. From April, applications for preferential financing for the construction and modernization of elevators have begun. With full financing, storage capacity is planned to be expanded by 1 million tons.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that akimats must keep under control the readiness of machinery, timely shipment of fuel and lubricants, seed examination, and contracting for fertilizer supply in order to complete sowing within optimal agrotechnical deadlines.