Nazarbayev calls on Samruk-Kazyna to make employment procedure transparent

Kazakh Ambassador to Finland Azamat Abdraimov took part in the International Forum "Energy Week", held on March 16-19, 2026 in the city of Vaasa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The Forum brought together representatives of foreign countries, business and experts to discuss issues related to energy sector development, including renewable energy sources, smart energy systems, gas energy and energy storage technologies. Special attention was paid to digitalization, battery technologies, circular economy, smart cities, regulation of the energy sector and the development of innovative business.

The Kazakh diplomat spoke at the opening ceremony of the Forum, highlighting achievements of Kazakhstan in the energy sector with a focus on sustainable development and identifying potential areas for further international cooperation.

During the Forum, meetings were held with Mayor of Vaasa Tomas Häyry and business representatives to discuss opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation and implementing joint projects.

The Ambassador also visited the production facilities of the Finnish company Wärtsilä, a global leader in the energy sector, where he met with Vice President Kenneth Engblom. The discussions focused on prospects for introducing advanced technologies into Kazakhstan’s energy sector.

Participation in the Forum confirmed the country’s interest in strengthening international cooperation in the energy sphere and promoting innovative technologies.

 

Gabidulla Ospankulov, Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, met with Levan Diasamidze, Ambassador of Georgia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the talks, prospects for developing bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, logistics, and tourism were discussed.

The parties discussed opportunities for further development of trade, economic, and investment relations, particularly issues related to expanding cooperation through mutual participation.

Participants paid special attention to discussing projects on the logistics infrastructure of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), as well as agro-industrial cooperation projects.

 

BAE Systems has been a key partner of Air Astana since the airline’s founding. A statement regarding the sale of BAE Systems’ stake in Air Astana was made on March 19, 2026, Qazinform News Agency reports.

Air Astana reported that BAE Systems plans to sell its remaining stake in the company. For more detailed information about the transaction, the national carrier advised referring to the public disclosures of the British company.

BAE Systems has been a key partner of Air Astana since its establishment. The airline was created in 2001 as a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and BAE Systems.

As part of Air Astana’s IPO in 2024, BAE Systems reduced its stake to 16.95%, and in December 2025 sold an additional 10.1%.

Recently, Air Astana published its full‑year 2025 financial results, showing growth in revenue and carrying capacity. According to the company, total revenue increased by 11.4% to USD 1,453.9 million, EBITDAR rose by 0.8% to USD 321.2 million, and the margin stood at 22.1%.

 

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with Kazatomprom Chairman Meirzhan Yusupov, focusing on the 2015 results as well as future plans, Qazinform News Agency cites Akorda.

Yusupov said Kazatomprom accounted for 13,500 tons of uranium out of the holding’s total output of 25,800 tons in 2025. The company’s uranium sales rose 11 percent to 18,500 tons.

He added geological exploration work is underway as part of the broader effort to boost the country's mineral resource base following the directives from the head of state. The company expanded its portfolio with six new promising uranium sites on the area of over 1,000 square kilometers amidst the goals to bring total investments in exploration to 75-85 billion tenge by 2030.

As part of its social commitments in uranium mining regions, the company allocated up to 11 billion tenge for socio-economic development programs, including 6 billion tenge under the contracts, in 2025.

Its 2025-2034 development strategy eyes new markets, as last year contracts on uranium supplies were signed with AxpoPower AG (Switzerland) и ČEZ Group (Czech Republic), as well as Japan’s Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Currently, Kazatomprom is working to secure a long-term contract to supply uranium ore concentrates to India. While boosting its efforts in research and innovation, the company has developed the Science and Technology Development Strategy 2034, aimed at enhancing production efficiency, mitigating environmental impact, and adopting advanced technologies.

 

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday met with Trade and Integration Minister Arman Shakkaliyev, who reported on current trade dynamics and future strategic priorities, Qazinform News Agency reports via Akorda.

During the meeting, Shakkaliyev said trade was among the key areas of the Kazakh economy, contributing to around 19 percent of GDP in 2025.

Investment inflows into the sectors amounted to 1.2 trillion tenge, while total trade turnover rose 8.9 percent to 80.3 trillion tenge.

The minister also informed that last year saw the e-commerce market size stand at 3.9 trillion tenge or 15 percent of retail trade turnover.

The country has built a network of 10 logistics hubs, while construction of two major fulfilment centers is underway in Astana and Almaty.

Despite the global economic challenges, Kazakhstan’s non-primary exports of goods and services reached 41 billion US dollars.

As parts of the country’s support measures for exporters, insurance capacity has been expanded to 1.2 trillion tenge, while overall support has doubled.

Speaking about the efforts within the Eurasian Economic Union, Shakkaliyev said that 69 out of 70 trade barriers have been eliminated since its inception. Following the talks, the country secured better deals, including exemptions from anti-dumping duties via allocated import quotas for Kazakhstani companies.

Following the meeting, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set a number of tasks to the ministry, aimed at forming a modern trade ecosystem, fostering favorable conditions for domestic manufacturing growth, ensuring comprehensive protection of consumer rights, enhancing export potential, as well as promoting economic interests of the country.

 

As part of a working visit to Luxembourg, Ambassador Roman Vassilenko held a number of meetings with representatives of the legislative and executive branches, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the country’s business community, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During a meeting with Veronique Dockendorf, Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg, the parties discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda and cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union. They reviewed ways to intensify political and trade-economic cooperation, interaction and mutual support within international organizations and institutions, as well as plans to hold the next round of inter-ministerial consultations later this year. The parties also discussed the possibility of establishing a Kazakhstan-Luxembourg Business Council and organizing Kazakhstan Cultural Days in Luxembourg.

As part of the working program, the Ambassador also met with Yasuko Müller, Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Luxembourg. The sides exchanged views on the current international situation and discussed energy issues and avenues for cooperation between the two countries in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

Prospects for expanding trade and economic cooperation were discussed during a meeting with Cindy Tereba, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. Particular attention was paid to developing partnerships in the fields of finance, logistics, innovation and the digital economy. Plans were also discussed to organize a trade mission of Luxembourg companies to Kazakhstan in October 2026.

A separate meeting was held with Thuraya Triki, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the European Investment Bank, and David Monguzzi, EIB Manager for Central Asia. The discussion focused on potential EIB financing for projects in Kazakhstan, including the construction of highways, development of transport infrastructure, projects in the field of rare earth metals, and practical coordination mechanisms to attract investment into these projects.

A meeting was also held with representatives of the international mining and metallurgical group Eurasian Resources Group, during which prospects for investment cooperation and the implementation of joint projects were discussed.

 

As part of implementing the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Government has approved the signing of an investment agreement for the construction of a 160 MW combined cycle power plant in the city of Aktau between the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan and Aktau Energy Company LLP, Qazinform News Agency reports.

The corresponding resolution was signed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

According to the Government’s press service, Aktau Energy Company was established in 2024 jointly with China Huadian Corporation - a state corporation that ranks among China’s five national electricity producers.

The project is expected to attract around 108 billion tenge in investment, with 70% provided by the Chinese investor and 30% by the Kazakh side. The combined cycle power plant at the MAEK LLP site is scheduled to be commissioned in June 2027.

Under the terms of the agreement, the investor will create more than 300 new jobs for Kazakh specialists. The project also includes annual grants for employees to pursue master’s degrees in electric power engineering at specialized universities in China, along with the introduction of a continuous training system and professional development programs for Kazakh personnel.

At the end of the agreement term, the combined cycle power plant will be transferred to MAEK LLP free of charge.

It should be recalled that Aktau Energy Company had previously begun work to expand the existing capacities of MAEK LLP.

 

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Malaysia Bulat Sugurbayev held a meeting with Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari bin Abdul Ghani. The meeting was also attended by Rustam Karagoyshin, Chairman of the Management Board of the National Managing Holding "Baiterek", as well as the leadership of the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund, the Industry Development Fund, and representatives of Allur Group, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

Ambassador B. Sugurbayev noted the significant growth in bilateral trade, which increased by 53% in 2025 to reach USD 221 million. A positive impetus to cooperation was provided by the visit of a Kazakh trade delegation led by the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev, as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between QazTrade and its Malaysian partner MATRADE last year.

Johari bin Abdul Ghani noted that Malaysia views Kazakhstan as an important partner and a major regional hub for accessing the markets of Central Asia. The Minister expressed readiness to further strengthen trade, economic and investment cooperation. The parties also discussed the development of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the next meeting of the Joint Trade and Economic Committee and the activation of the Kazakhstan-Malaysia Business Council.

Particular attention was paid to transport and logistics cooperation. Ambassador Sugurbayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic role as a transit hub between Asia and Europe, including within the framework of the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). It was noted that the expansion of railway connectivity between mainland Southeast Asia and China creates additional opportunities to integrate cargo flows with this route. The Ambassador expressed confidence that Kazakhstan could serve as an important platform for Malaysian companies seeking to enter not only the markets of Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union, but also Europe. He also proposed considering the establishment of a Malaysian Trade House at the Khorgos International Centre for Cross-Border Cooperation.

Rustam Karagoyshin, Chairman of the Management Board of Baiterek, informed about plans to involve the Malaysian company Proton in the development of the automotive industry in Kazakhstan. The joint production project is expected to create a multiplier effect in Kazakhstan’s economy through job creation and support for local entrepreneurship.

In addition to this investment and technology partnership project, the delegation of Baiterek also discussed expanding cooperation with Malaysia’s financial sector, development institutions and organizations supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.