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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Lotte Hotels Planned for Almaty and Alatau City
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Hotels operated by South Korean hospitality brand Lotte are planned for Almaty and Alatau City. Hotel Lotte Co. Ltd and Sensata Invest signed the relevant memoranda following a meeting between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, according to Akorda.
Tokayev welcomed plans to build the first Lotte hotel in Almaty and highlighted the potential for the company to further expand its hospitality business in Kazakhstan.
The meeting also covered Lotte’s operations in the food industry. The president noted the development of the Rakhat brand and the modernisation of its production facilities in Almaty and Shymkent.
The two sides also discussed Lotte Global Logistics’ plans to develop transport and logistics infrastructure and expand access to regional and international markets.
Shin Dong-bin confirmed Lotte’s plans to invest in the food industry, logistics and hospitality. The company also intends to contribute to the development of Alatau City, including the creation of the Iconic Complex.
Following the meeting, Hotel Lotte Co. Ltd and Sensata Invest exchanged memoranda of understanding on the construction of Lotte hotels in Almaty and Alatau City.
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Kazakhstan’s Grain Exports by Rail Rise 14%
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Kazakhstan exported 7.2 million tonnes of grain by rail in the first eight months of 2026, up 14% from the same period last year, according to the country’s Ministry of Transport.
During the corresponding period a year earlier, Kazakhstan shipped 6.3 million tonnes of grain to foreign markets by rail.
Central Asian countries were the largest destinations, receiving 4.8 million tonnes - 37% more than a year earlier. Shipments to Uzbekistan rose by 50% to 3.6 million tonnes, while exports to Tajikistan increased by 17% to 1 million tonnes.
Deliveries to Afghanistan recorded particularly strong growth, rising 4.4-fold to 655,000 tonnes. Rail shipments to China reached 558,000 tonnes, up 33% year on year.
Overall, Kazakhstan transported 9.3 million tonnes of grain by rail between January and August, compared with 8.2 million tonnes a year earlier - an increase of 13%.
In August alone, rail shipments reached 1.1 million tonnes, up 35% from August 2025.
The Ministry of Transport has established a dedicated working group to coordinate grain shipments. It monitors the readiness of railway infrastructure and freight wagons and works to prevent congestion and wagon delays at stations.
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Kazakhstan may establish satellite components hub with South Korea’s CONTEC
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Kazakhstan could establish a manufacturing hub for satellite components in partnership with South Korea’s CONTEC Space Group. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev and the company’s management, according to the government press service.
"One of the promising areas [of cooperation] is the establishment of a manufacturing hub in Kazakhstan to produce satellite components, with subsequent supplies to markets in Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe," the statement said.
The two sides are also considering localising the production of large-scale ground-based antenna systems.
"Particular attention was paid to developing satellite imagery processing using artificial intelligence. The use of AI will expand capabilities for analysing Earth remote-sensing data and applying it to practical tasks," the press service said.
The government also said that CONTEC is expected to establish a Kazakh subsidiary in the near future, with the details of the partnership to be further developed.
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Kazakhstan and South Korea Discuss Expanding Freight Traffic via Middle Corridor
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A Kazakhstan-South Korea business forum on transport and logistics was held in Seoul during the Kazakh president’s visit to South Korea, the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs said.
The event brought together about 70 government officials and representatives of transport, logistics and business organizations from both countries. Participants discussed the development of rail, air and multimodal transport, the digitalization of logistics and joint infrastructure projects.
Rail freight between Kazakhstan and South Korea totaled 117,800 metric tons in 2025, including 116,900 metric tons of transit cargo. In the first half of 2026, freight traffic reached 43,700 metric tons, all of it transit cargo.
Participants highlighted the need to move from individual shipments to regular freight services and broaden the range of goods transported.
Air cargo was also a key focus. Existing agreements allow up to 20 cargo flights a week, including services operating under fifth-freedom traffic rights.
The two sides also discussed developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, and integrating maritime, rail, road and air transport. Talks covered Air+Rail, Air+Road and Sea+Rail multimodal routes, terminal infrastructure and the digitalization of freight services.
Kanat Sharlapayev, chairman of the presidium of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, stressed the need to move from framework agreements to specific joint projects.
Kazakh and South Korean companies signed a number of documents following the forum. During business-to-business meetings, company representatives discussed specific routes, freight opportunities and investment projects.
Kazakhstan and South Korea previously agreed to expand industrial cooperation.
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Kazakhstan Aims to More Than Double Oil Refining Capacity by 2040
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Kazakhstan plans to more than double its annual oil refining capacity from 18 million to 39 million tonnes, reducing the ratio of crude oil production to refining from 5:1 to 2.5:1, the Energy Ministry’s press service reported.
Nazym Bekbatyrova, head of the ministry’s Oil Refining and Petroleum Products Department, announced the plans while presenting Kazakhstan’s Oil Refining Industry Development Concept for 2025-2040 at the Central Asia and Caspian Petrochemicals and Refining 2026 summit.
The strategy calls for the phased modernisation and expansion of refining capacity, a higher oil conversion rate and the development of petrochemical production.
By 2040, Kazakhstan aims to raise its refining depth from 89% to 94% and bring motor fuel quality up to the K5+ environmental standard. Production of benzene and paraxylene is also expected to increase.
The proposed measures will require between $15 billion and $19 billion in investment. The Energy Ministry expects the industry’s development to create jobs, strengthen the country’s scientific and technological base, and expand exports of petroleum and petrochemical products.
The strategy covers six areas: supplying the domestic market with petroleum products, developing the petrochemical industry, advancing applied research and workforce skills, adapting the sector to technological trends, and expanding export opportunities.
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Kazakhstan and South Korea Agree to Expand Industrial Cooperation
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Kazakhstan, other Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea have agreed to expand cooperation in industry and supply chains. A memorandum to this effect was signed following the first meeting of the C5+1 Consultative Mechanism of Industry Ministers in Seoul, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Construction reported.
The meeting was held ahead of the first Central Asia-Republic of Korea summit. It was co-chaired by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev and South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan.
Representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also attended the meeting.
The participants discussed prospects for cooperation in investment, technology, industrial infrastructure, critical minerals, global supply chains and workforce training.
Nagaspayev said Kazakhstan was interested in the participation of South Korean companies in the development of Alatau.
"The Law on the Special Legal Regime of the City of Alatau established the first city with a special legal status in the country’s history. The project is one of the government’s priorities, and we regard our South Korean partners as key strategic partners in its implementation," the minister said.
According to the ministry, Kazakhstan’s trade with Central Asian countries and South Korea amounted to about $12 billion last year. More than 1,000 joint ventures operate in the manufacturing sector.
Following the meeting, South Korea and the Central Asian states signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in industry and supply chains. The parties also adopted a joint declaration.
Kazakhstan’s trade with Central Asian countries and South Korea totalled around $12 billion last year. More than 1,000 joint ventures operate in the country’s manufacturing sector.
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Kazakhstan Invites Chinese Companies to Invest in Mineral Exploration and Processing
Kazakhstan has invited Chinese and international companies to cooperate in mineral exploration, mining and advanced processing. Industry and Construction Minister Yersayin Nagaspayev made the announcement at the China Mining 2026 international conference in Tianjin, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Construction.
"Kazakhstan offers opportunities to jointly create new value chains and modern production facilities. We invite Chinese and international companies to cooperate in geological exploration, mining and advanced processing of mineral resources. We place particular emphasis on attracting modern technologies and localising production. It is important to take industrial cooperation to a new level and implement projects that serve the long-term interests of our countries," Nagaspayev said.
The minister noted the steady expansion of business and investment ties, as well as closer industrial cooperation in recent years.
According to the ministry, around 11,000 companies with Chinese participation currently operate in Kazakhstan. The country’s largest partners include CNPC, Sinopec, CITIC Group, Zijin Mining, East Hope Group, Huawei, PowerChina, SANY, Fufeng and Lihua Group, among others.
These companies are implementing projects in the oil and gas industry, mining, energy, infrastructure, high technology and other sectors.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev previously said that relations between Kazakhstan and China had reached an unprecedentedly high level
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BRICS Voices Concern Over Growing Unilateral Trade Measures
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BRICS countries have expressed serious concern over the unilateral imposition of trade and financial measures, including tariff increases and non-tariff restrictions, a Kazakhstan Today correspondent reports.
"We remain seriously concerned about the unilateral imposition of trade- and finance-related measures, including tariff increases and non-tariff measures that distort trade and are inconsistent with World Trade Organization rules," RIA Novosti quoted the statement as saying.
The statement noted that such pressure has the greatest impact on emerging economies.
"We reaffirm our support for an open, transparent, inclusive, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core," the statement said.
BRICS countries also warned of significant challenges facing the global economy.
"The global economy is facing significant challenges. Risks to the global economic outlook remain elevated, reflecting persistent geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation and protectionism, policy uncertainty, fiscal and inflationary pressures, rising debt and financial vulnerabilities," the document said.
The BRICS summit is due to take place in India.
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