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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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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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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IAEA International Conference on Research Reactors to Be Held in Almaty
Almaty will host the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Conference on Research Reactors in 2028. The event will be held, among other venues, at Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP), INP Director General Sayabek Sakhiev told journalists during a press tour.
According to Sakhiev, the IAEA organises the conference once every four years, bringing together around 400 scientists, specialists and experts from across the globe.
Kazakhstan was among the first countries to submit a bid to host the 2028 conference. On May 26, during IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s visit to Astana, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency Almassadam Satkaliyev handed over the relevant letter. We received confirmation nearly two weeks ago that the IAEA will hold the event in Almaty, naturally with the Institute of Nuclear Physics serving as one of the host venues," Sakhiev said.
He noted that leading international experts in the field of research reactors are expected to attend the conference.
We expect prominent scientists, specialists and experts in research reactors from all over the world. By that time, we hope to have made a decision on our new research reactor. We will once again present our plans and seek the opinions of the world’s experts on whether we have chosen the right reactor," he said.
According to the head of the institute, the new research reactor is expected to support not only fundamental and applied scientific research but also the development of high-tech industries.
In the future, it should serve not only fundamental and applied science but also the production of radiopharmaceuticals. Potentially, it could even support the manufacture of microchips and semiconductors in Kazakhstan," Sakhiev added.
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Nuclear Physics Institute Reactor Planned to Remain in Operation Until at Least 2040
The WWR-K research reactor at Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) is expected to remain in operation until at least 2040. To achieve this, the institute plans to seek an extension of the reactor’s service life through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the coming years. The announcement was made by INP Director General Sayabek Sakhiev during a press tour for journalists.
Over the next three to four years, we will apply to the IAEA to extend the reactor’s operational lifespan by another 10 to 15 years. If we secure such an extension in 2030, it would allow the reactor to operate until 2040-2045. What happens after that will depend on future developments," Sakhiev said.
He recalled that in September 2025, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the government to consider the construction of new research reactors at the Institute of Nuclear Physics.
The institute expects that by the time the current reactor reaches the end of its service life, a new research reactor will already be operating in Kazakhstan. The existing facility could then be used to train specialists for the nuclear industry, including personnel for the country’s future nuclear power plant.
Sakhiev also stressed the importance of uninterrupted production of radiopharmaceuticals used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The reactor currently operates on a cycle of three weeks of operation followed by one week of shutdown and undergoes two months of scheduled maintenance during the summer.
If a second research reactor is built, we will be able to distribute this workload and avoid interruptions," he said.
The Institute of Nuclear Physics is Kazakhstan’s only research organization dedicated to the peaceful use of atomic energy that carries out a full cycle of scientific research and experimental design work, including fundamental and applied research, technology development and production.
The institute conducts testing of materials for next-generation nuclear reactors and fusion facilities, applies nuclear technologies in industry, scientific research and medicine, and produces essential radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The INP currently operates 12 major experimental facilities, including the WWR-K research reactor, a critical assembly, storage facilities for radioactive waste and spent ionizing radiation sources, as well as six charged-particle accelerator complexes.
The WWR-K reactor is Kazakhstan’s only multipurpose reactor. In addition to fundamental nuclear physics and materials science research and in-reactor testing, it is used for the production of medical radioisotopes, gamma radiation sources for industry, neutron activation analysis and material modification through neutron irradiation.
The WWR-K reactor and the Cyclone-30 cyclotron form the basis of Kazakhstan’s only GMP-accredited production facility for reactor-based radiopharmaceuticals. The institute currently manufactures and supplies three radiopharmaceuticals to medical centers across the country, including products based on iodine-131 and molybdenum-99/technetium-99m.
Iodine-131 is used to treat thyroid diseases, including cancer, while technetium-99m is widely used in the diagnosis of diseases affecting virtually all human organs and body systems. Technetium-99m generators are also produced by the institute using a patented technology.
Overall, the institute’s product line covers key isotopes used in the diagnosis of cancer and cardiovascular diseases and in the treatment of thyroid cancer. The INP supplies approximately 85% of Kazakhstan’s demand for radiopharmaceuticals.
The Cyclone-30 facility is designed for the industrial-scale production of radioisotopes and is currently operating at near-full capacity producing fluorine-18 for PET diagnostics, demand for which continues to grow steadily in Kazakhstan.
INP products are used annually in the treatment and diagnosis of more than 18,000 patients, while industrial radioisotopes are exported to Europe, the United States and Central Asian countries.
The institute is also implementing investment projects aimed at localizing the production of strategically important radioisotopes, including molybdenum-99 produced through the fission method and lutetium-177, while expanding its commercial activities.
The INP is the country’s sole producer of ionizing radiation sources, including cobalt-57, iridium-192 and antimony-124. Cobalt-57 is currently exported to Germany, France and Russia.
The institute operates training centers that have educated more than 4,500 specialists and plans to open a regional training center for nuclear forensics in 2026. It also conducts research in radiation ecology and monitors radiation-hazardous facilities.
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