23.05.2026, 09:00 5121
Kazakhstan develops regulations for air taxis and urban air mobility
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Kazakhstan is preparing regulations for the launch of air taxis and the development of urban air mobility, along with plans to build vertiports and conduct eVTOL testing in Alatau City, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Kazakh Ministry of Transport.
Test flights of eVTOL air taxis were conducted in Alatau City, with the participation of Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Talgat Lastayev, Chief Executive Officer of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC Michael Daniel, and representatives of Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd (AAAG) and AutoFlight.
The ministry noted that air taxis are an innovative and eco-friendly form of air transport powered by electric engines. These aircraft can attain speeds of up to 200 km/h and travel distances of up to 200 kilometers, making them a practical option for urban and regional air mobility.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport has been collaborating with relevant companies for a year to establish the necessary legal and regulatory framework. This effort includes drafting legislative amendments to regulate air taxi services and to advance modern air mobility.
The proposed changes have already passed the coordination stages and are currently under discussion. Their adoption and integration into Kazakhstan’s legislation are expected in the near future.
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22.05.2026, 17:10 24301
Kazakhstan to introduce tailored visa regimes for four categories of foreigners
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Kazakhstan plans to introduce tailored visa regimes for foreign citizens arriving in the country for employment purposes, Qazinform News Agency reports.
First Vice-Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Yerbol Tuyakbayev made this announcement during a roundtable on the presidential decree, designed to create favorable conditions to attract highly qualified professionals, foreign investors, and entrepreneurs to Kazakhstan.
According to him, Kazakhstan plans to roll out an Altyn (Golden) Visa, set to become one of the key instruments of the new migration policy and aimed at drawing in strategic investors and highly skilled professionals.
In addition, digital residency and simplified entry procedures will be introduced for highly qualified specialists and investors. To achieve this, the country will implement a classification system for foreign nationals arriving for employment.
The Labor Ministry suggests identifying four main categories: Business migrants; Highly qualified professionals with unique knowledge and competencies; Mid-level skilled specialists - workforce hired by employers under the current system; Migrant workers employed by individuals for household chores.
A separate visa regime will apply for each category, taking into account the purpose of entry, skill level, and duration of stay.
A key element of the proposed model is the possibility of transitioning from this visa to long-term residency status after a specified period of employment or investment activity, said Tuyakbayev.
He added that holders of this status will be able to receive a number of incentives, including tax breaks, access to banking infrastructure, the healthcare system, educational services, and licensed activities.
Additionally, the government intends to streamline administrative processes, cut down application wait times, and adopt a single-window principle for interaction with government agencies. Furthermore, Kazakhstan plans to launch the unified QazETA digital platform, which will feature an e-Residency module and the e-Residency Invest program.
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22.05.2026, 15:10 23901
Kazakhstan, Hong Kong sign extradition and legal assistance agreements
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During a working trip to Hong Kong, Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General Berik Assylov signed a package of interstate agreements in the criminal law sphere, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Assylov met with Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Chris Tang, who coordinates the activities of law enforcement and special services in the region, including police, immigration, customs, prison, fire, and air rescue services.
According to the Prosecutor General, the meeting is of particular importance for strengthening cooperation between the two countries' law enforcement agencies in extradition of wanted persons and jointly combating transnational crimes.
Special attention was given to the cooperation in the search and recovery of illegally withdrawn assets and the laundering of criminally obtained proceeds.
Following the meeting, interstate agreements were signed on surrender of fugitive offenders; on mutual legal assistance in criminal cases; and on the transfer of sentenced persons.
Following the talks, the parties agreed to exchange operational and forensic information, best practices in investigating crimes using modern technology and artificial intelligence, and outlined further steps to deepen cooperation on other legal issues of mutual interest.
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21.05.2026, 21:10 44446
1.3 trillion tenge in investment attracted to Pavlodar region's economy
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On May 21, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev heard a report on the socio-economic development of the Pavlodar region for 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press service.
President Tokayev was informed that the Pavlodar region achieved positive growth across all key indicators last year.
Governor Assain Baikhanov reported that approximately 1.3 trillion tenge in investment was attracted to the region's economy, representing growth by over 47 percent.
The region ranks among the country's investment leaders.
Industrial output reached KZT 4.1 trillion in 2025. The region accounts for 58% of the country's coal mining, 42% of electricity generation, and 58% of ferroalloy production.
Agricultural gross output increased by 9.6% to KZT 571.4 billion. Among the country's regions, the Pavlodar region ranks first in the use of water-saving irrigation technologies, which has enabled significant harvests of potatoes, sunflowers, and buckwheat.
The Governor also informed the President about the fulfillment of social obligations.
More than 30,000 new jobs were created in the region, along with two urban and three rural schools, and 30 healthcare facilities. This year, two more schools and five major socially significant projects are planned for construction.
By the end of 2025, 100% of the rural population had gained access to clean drinking water.
Public transport has been completely renewed in three cities of the region.
The share of roads in good condition reached 96%, with 621 km of roads and village streets repaired. Paving of access roads to all promising villages in the region is expected to be completed this year.
Assain Baikhanov also reported on the implementation of the President's directives regarding the construction of a new bridge over the River Irtysh, the reconstruction of the airport runway and Shakhter Park, the renewal of the tram fleet, the construction of the GRES-3 Power Plant, and the implementation of the Data Center Valley project.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid particular attention to the development of air connectivity with the city of Ekibastuz, instructing the governor to explore the possibility of opening a new airport.
This project will significantly improve transport accessibility and the region's investment attractiveness, further boosting socio-economic development.
Following the meeting, the Head of State instructed that work on attracting investment, developing social infrastructure, and modernizing the utility infrastructure should be continued.
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21.05.2026, 19:08 44196
Tokayev outlines key development priorities in meeting with Kyzylorda governor
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday held a meeting with governor of Kyzylorda region Murat Yergeshbayev, Qazinform News Agency reports.
During the meeting, the Kazakh president was briefed on the region’s key macroeconomic indicators for January-April this year, as well as plans for further social and economic development.
Regional governor Yergeshbayev highlighted the region's highly attractive investment climate. To drive economic diversification, 48 investment initiatives worth 1.9 trillion tenge are scheduled over the next three years, with construction kicking off on 14 major projects totaling 1 trillion tenge this year alone.
Following the president’s directives announced during the National Qurultay meeting, Kyzylorda is undergoing a massive infrastructure upgrade. Projects include a 300-bed multidisciplinary hospital, a 500-visit polyclinic, a 200-bed perinatal center, a drama theater, and a modern library. Additionally, the Kyzylorda-Aktobe highway expansion is underway, with the Beyneu-Sekseul road construction set to begin soon.
By the end of the year, 10 settlements will be connected to the gas supply system, that will raise the regional gasification rate to 85 percent.
This year, 2,400 apartments will be provided to citizens on the housing waiting list. Additionally, 138 km of roads, streets, and bridges are scheduled for repair, which will bring the share of roads in good condition to 95.5 percent.
The Kazakh president tasked the governor to continue the work on further diversification of the economy, attracting investments, improving the environmental situation, and introducing water-saving technologies in agriculture.
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21.05.2026, 14:15 44751
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanks workers of culture and arts
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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to workers of culture and arts during an awarding ceremony, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that culture is the foundation of national identity and spiritual uniqueness.
He noted that a state preserving its cultural and spiritual heritage will always enjoy respect and authority.
The Head of State also stressed society highly values their work.
On this professional holiday, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sincerely thanked all workers engaged in the field of culture and art of Kazakhstan.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted that the Kazakh people have always understood the sacredness of art and respected creative individuals.
He stressed that a nation with a rich spiritual world will always have progressive views and a bright future.
The President highlighted the importance of opening opportunities for talented, patriotic, energetic, and educated youth with broad horizons and active civic positions.
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20.05.2026, 17:45 60396
Kazakhstan seeks mutually beneficial cooperation and joint projects with Kenya
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a press briefing with visiting Kenyan President William Ruto that Kenya is interested in Kazakhstan’s progress in e-government, space exploration, and IT, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing Akorda.
During the visit, President Ruto will tour the Alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Center and the National Space Center of Kazakhstan. The talks placed particular attention to cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, education, and science. Kenya attaches great importance to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. I would like to specifically note that this position aligns with our Taza Qazaqstan (Clean Kazakhstan) ideology. Furthermore, the Kazakhstan-Kenya business forum is taking place in Astana today, with business representatives from both countries participating. This event will undoubtedly give a new impetus to the further deepening of ties between our nations. We agreed to instruct our governments to take concrete measures to expand this multifaceted partnership, stated Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Both presidents also exchanged views on the international agenda.
The situation in Africa and the Middle East was discussed. Nairobi actively supports peace initiatives aimed at resolving regional conflicts. Kenya also makes a consistent contribution to strengthening peace and stability on the African continent. Kazakhstan highly appreciates these efforts. Kazakhstan and Kenya hold similar positions on many global issues. Both countries believe that international problems must be resolved solely through peaceful, diplomatic means, namely through negotiations. Agreement was also reached to strengthen cooperation within the United Nations and other international structures. Overall, it can be stated with confidence that the negotiations were fruitful and substantive. Kazakhstan expresses its readiness to strengthen bilateral ties, expand mutually beneficial partnership, and jointly implement projects in various fields. This serves the interests of both countries, said the Kazakh president.
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20.05.2026, 11:11 62211
Kuwait Express Interest in Investing in Kazakhstan’s Agricultural and Real Estate Sectors
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The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Kuwait Yerzhan Yelekeyev held a meeting with Sheikha Ohoud Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, during which the parties discussed prospects for the development of trade, economic and investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and Kuwait, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, the parties discussed opportunities for cooperation in the fields of agriculture and the agro-industrial complex. It was emphasized that Kazakhstan is one of the world’s major grain exporters, supplying agricultural products to more than 80 countries worldwide. The Ambassador of Kazakhstan also noted that the country continues to strengthen its position in the global oilseed market, having recently entered the world’s top 10 exporters of sunflower oil.
Particular attention was paid to food security issues. The Ambassador noted that Kazakhstan possesses significant potential to contribute to ensuring food security not only for the State of Kuwait, but also for the region as a whole, including through the supply of environmentally friendly and high-quality agricultural products.
In this context, the parties, together with representatives of "Al Deira" company, discussed in detail the prospects for supplying Kazakh meat products to the Kuwaiti market, including beef and lamb exports. The Kuwaiti side expressed interest in establishing cooperation with leading Kazakh producers and suppliers of meat products.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to organize a visit of Kuwaiti representatives to Kazakhstan in the summer of 2026 in order to further explore opportunities for cooperation, hold meetings with enterprises, and discuss prospects for importing Kazakh meat products.
The parties also exchanged views on cooperation in the fields of real estate and investment, including the participation of "Al Ahd Al Mushtarak" company in the implementation of investment and infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan, including the "Alatau City" accelerated development project. The Kazakh side presented information on the project’s potential, its special legal status and opportunities available for foreign investors.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the interlocutors confirmed their mutual interest in further expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation and developing direct contacts between the business communities of Kazakhstan and Kuwait.
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20.05.2026, 10:55 59236
Kazakh Parliament passes new law on Qurultay, expands powers
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Kazakhstan's Parliament on Wednesday passed the constitutional law on the Qurultay and the status of its deputies. The document will be submitted the president for signing, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Following the approval of a new Constitution in the March 15 referendum, a new law now outlines how the Qurultay will function, including its powers and the status of its members. The body will be made up of 145 deputies serving five-year terms, and the chairperson will be assisted by three deputies.
The document also defines how the Qurultay and the Government will interact. Key provisions include consulting on Cabinet appointments, mandating ministerial reports to deputies, delivering the prime minister's address on the Government’s performance, and the process for a no-confidence vote.
Additionally, the Qurultay will have the power to confirm the president's nominees for vice president, prime minister, Constitutional Court judges, as well as members of the Central Election Commission and Supreme Audit Chamber. Furthermore, upon the president's recommendation, deputies will be empowered to elect Supreme Court judges.
The law paves the way for removing judicial immunity for Constitutional and Supreme Court judges and outlines parliamentary conduct rules. Additionally, it gives the Government a 90-day window to provide its assessment on any legislative initiatives that impact the national budget.
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