Trump announces 25% tariffs on imports from Kazakhstan starting on August 1
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President Donald Trump posted a letter addressed to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on his Truth Social platform on imposing 25% tariffs on all Kazakh products, Kazinform News Agency reports.
In his letter, Trump said starting on August 1, 2025, the U.S. will charge Kazakhstan a tariff of 25% on any and all Kazakh products sent to the United States separate from all sectoral tariffs. He said, despite having a significant trade deficit with Kazakhstan, the United States agreed to continue working with the country.
We have had years to discuss our trading relationships with Kazakhstan, and we have concluded that we must move away from these long-term, and very persistent, trade deficit endangered by Kazakhstan’s tariff, and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal. Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Kazakhstan a tariff of only 25%, on any and all Kazakh products sent to the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs," the letter reads.
He added there will be no tariffs if Kazakhstan companies decide to build or manufacture product within the United States.
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UN ESCAP: Kazakhstan is the leading destination for investment in new projects in North and Central Asia in 2025
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The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has published the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2025/2026 report, focusing on foreign direct investment dynamics across countries in the region, Kazakh Invest National Company JSC reports.
According to the report, by the end of 2025 Kazakhstan became the largest recipient of investment in new (greenfield) projects in North and Central Asia, attracting about $19 billion. This is 266% more than a year earlier.
Kazakhstan accounted for around 89% of all intra-subregional investment in North and Central Asia, securing the country’s undisputed leadership in the region.
It is noted that North and Central Asia was the only subregion in the Asia-Pacific where an increase in investment volumes in new projects was recorded in 2025, amid an overall decline in global investment activity. The key driver of this growth was Kazakhstan.
The report emphasizes that Kazakhstan attracted several of the largest investment projects in the region, including major initiatives in manufacturing, next-generation metallurgy, renewable energy and green technologies.
A growing investor interest is highlighted in particular in areas such as:
• green energy and the hydrogen economy;
• development of industrial processing;
• projects focused on exports and international value chains.
Against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, investors have begun to take a more balanced approach to investment decision-making, paying particular attention to long-term market stability, the quality of the institutional environment, and the role of government bodies and investment agencies in supporting projects. Despite external challenges, Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its position as one of the key investment hubs of Eurasia, attracting major international companies and building a foundation for long-term sustainable growth," - ESCAP experts noted
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Kazakhstan targets broad-based economic growth in 2026
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The Kazakh Government reviewed GDP growth projections for 2026, with manufacturing, construction, trade, and transport expected to drive expansion, Qazinform News Agency cites primeminister.kz.
the meeting on Monday to discuss forecasts for socio-economic development and GDP growth in 2026.
It is expected that the main drivers of economic growth next year will be manufacturing, construction, transport and warehousing, trade, and the production of food and beverages.
In 2025, the manufacturing sector’s physical volume index (PVI) is estimated to rise by 6%, while the target for 2026 under the 2029 National Development Plan has been set at 6.2%.
Metallurgy, the backbone of manufacturing, is projected to grow by 3% in 2026, driven largely by newly launched plants reaching full capacity, including Kyzyl Aray Copper, EkibastuzFerroAlloys, Kazferro Limited, and Shagala Mining. In ferrous metallurgy, the plan aims to boost the production of ferroalloys, steel, flat-rolled products, and pig iron, while expanding output in gold, copper, aluminum, and zinc within the non-ferrous segment.
Mechanical engineering is forecast to expand by 13.4% in 2026, supported by a 17% rise in automobile production following the launch of Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan and KIA Qazaqstan facilities. Agricultural machinery production is also expected to grow by 5%.
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Major Turkish Investors Continue Successful Implementation of Projects in Kazakhstan
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Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Türkiye Yerkebulan Sapiyev and Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Istanbul Nuriddin Amankul held a series of meetings with executives of leading Turkish investment companies operating in Kazakhstan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
In particular, substantive and constructive discussions were held with representatives of Tiryaki Holding, which has launched a project for the deep processing of wheat and peas in the city of Astana; Nobel Pharmaceuticals, implementing the second phase of its pharmaceutical production project in Almaty; Makyol Holding, which has successfully completed the construction of the Big Almaty Ring Road (BAKAD); TAV Havalimanları Holding, carrying out a project to expand and modernize Almaty International Airport, Koton, the owner of a retail clothing chain in Kazakhstan and Çalık Holding, together with a potential partner, implementing a grain processing project in the Kostanay region, as well as a number of potential investors considering the development of copper deposits in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
During the meetings, the parties discussed the current status and progress of ongoing investment projects, as well as prospects for launching new initiatives in various sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy.
In addition, the heads of the aforementioned holdings expressed their appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for its policy aimed at creating a favorable investment climate and for the comprehensive support provided to foreign investors.
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Investments in fixed capital in Kazakhstan reached 18.5 trillion tenge
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The Head of State was informed about the progress in implementing instructions on economic reforms and further improving citizens’ well-being, primeminister.kz reports citing the press service of Akorda.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov briefed the President on the preliminary results of the country’s socio-economic development for 2025. As a result of the diversification objectives set by the President, more than 70% of GDP growth has been driven by industry, trade, and transport.
From January to November of the current year, growth in transport services reached 20.3%, construction 14.7%, trade 8.8%, agriculture 6.1%, and manufacturing 5.9%. Investment in fixed capital amounted to 18.5 trillion tenge, while private investment inflows increased by 9.8%.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was also informed about the implementation of the Joint Action Program of the Government, the National Bank, and the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market for macroeconomic stabilization and improving public welfare for 2026-2028. A key priority of the program is to ensure that GDP growth is accompanied by rising real incomes and improved living standards. Measures to reduce inflation are envisaged.
According to the information presented to the President, modernization of five border checkpoints on the external border was completed in December. A registry of Kazakhstan’s domestic producers has been launched. A unified small business support program, "Isker Aimaq," has been adopted.
In addition, Olzhas Bektenov reported on the smooth progress of the heating season, as well as the early financing of the 2026 sowing campaign aimed at maintaining and further increasing crop yields, with a focus on processing and exporting agricultural products.
Following the meeting, the President instructed to continue efforts to ensure the country’s stable development in the interests of citizens and issued a number of directives on attracting investment, supporting entrepreneurship, and modernizing engineering and transport infrastructure.
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Kazakhstan set to launch 140 manufacturing projects
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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on the development of infrastructure in special economic and industrial zones, following instructions of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to strengthen the country’s industrial potential, Qazinform News Agency learnt from the primeminister.kz.
Ministers of Finance, Industry and Construction, as well as representatives of the Baiterek Holding and the Industrial Development Fund attended the meeting.
According to the Industry and Construction Ministry, there are 17 special economic zones and 66 industrial zones in Kazakhstan so far, where 860 projects have been implemented with private investments exceeding 5.7 trillion tenge, creating more than 57,200 jobs.
As stated there, infrastructure readiness is a key factor in determining the investment attractiveness of industrial sites. Work is underway to build additional facilities, including substations and transport networks.
To reduce the burden on the state budget, the Government is taking measures to attract extra-budgetary funds, including cooperation with international financial institutions.
Some 200 new projects are expected to be implemented in special economic and industrial zones by 2030, creating jobs and boosting manufacturing growth. To note, Kazakhstan plans to launch 140 projects in the manufacturing sector in 2025-2029.
The projects are projected to contribute to the economy by increasing the gross value added of the manufacturing industry.
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Kazakhstan exports 3.9mln tons of new harvest grain
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According to JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Kazakhstan exported 3.9 million tons of grain between September and December 19, 2025, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture.
By comparison, exports during the same period last year totaled 3.4 million tons, reflecting a steady increase in shipments to international markets.
The most significant growth was observed in key markets. Exports of grain to Uzbekistan increased by 35%, rising from 1.315 million tons to 1.774 million tons. Shipments to Kyrgyzstan doubled, climbing from 59,000 tons to 122,000 tons. Exports to Afghanistan also saw a notable increase of 36.8%, from 190,000 tons to 260,000 tons.
The growth in exports of new harvest grain is driven by strong demand from traditional markets.
Previous reports showed that Kazakhstan’s grain exports had grown by one-third. The Ministry of Agriculture highlighted that exporters could start shipping new-harvest wheat this year to qualify for transportation cost compensation at the beginning of 2026.
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Kazakhstan approves wholesale liquefied gas price
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The Kazakh Energy Ministry has approved the maximum wholesale price for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sold on the domestic market outside commodity exchanges, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the order signed by the Energy Minister as of December 15, 2025, the price cap will remain in effect from January 1 to June 30, 2026.
The maximum wholesale price for liquefied petroleum gas supplied to the domestic market of Kazakhstan outside commodity exchanges for the period from January 1 to June 30, 2026, is approved at 59,722 tenge per ton, excluding VAT.
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