President Tokayev awards Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan Dostyk Order
Images | Akorda
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan extended congratulations to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and all Orthodox Christians on Easter set to be celebrated this Sunday, April 20, Akorda reports.
During a meeting on Thursday, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the key role the Orthodox Church plays in promoting traditional and family values, upbringing the younger generation and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the country.
President Tokayev awarded the Order of Dostyk (Friendship), 1st Degree, to Metropolitan Alexander, honoring the latter’s 15-year service in Kazakhstan and contribution to strengthening peace and accord.
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President Tokayev congratulates Kazakhstanis on Victory Day
Images | Akorda
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Friday extended congratulations to Kazakhstanis on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
The Kazakh President said: "Each Kazakhstani celebrates this remarkable anniversary with a feeling of great gratitude to the generation of the victors".
The bloodiest war against fascism left an indelible mark on the history of the people. Our noble soldiers demonstrated courage and bravery, fighting for freedom and justice. Hundreds of thousands of them died in fierce battles. Kazakhstanis’ enormous efforts and severe hardships on the home front helped bring the Victory closer, as they worked in the fields, plants and factories, said Tokayev.
The Head of State noted that Kazakhstan cherishes the memory of the military valor and selfless labor, honoring its heroes, who demonstrate true determination and courage, delivering care and support to veterans.
Kazakhstan unveiled extensive events marking 80 years since the Great Victory, hosing the large-scale military parade in the capital, naming around 500 streets after war heroes, to ensure the harsh lessons of the war are never forgotten.
The Victory Day reminds us of the importance of preserving peace and friendship in the world, said the President, noting their role in the well-being of the people and progressive progress of Kazakhstan.
As earlier reported, Kazakhstan marks the 80th anniversary of the
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Kapshagai reservoir 100% full for second year in a row, Kazakh Water Ministry
For the second year in a row, the Kapshagai reservoir in Almaty region is 100% full. It has collected 18.5 billion cubic meters of water, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Water Resources and Irrigation Ministry.
A year ago, it reached its full capacity of 100% full for the first time in the past 10 years. Its water will provide Akdala and Shengeldy woods in Almaty region with irrigation water.
Since the beginning of the year Lake Balkhash has received 3.8 billion cubic meters of water from the Kapshagai reservoir, compared to 2.9 billion sent last year. The water level in Lake Balkhash grew by 2 billion cubic meters from 341.52 meters to 341.64 meters.
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Armed Forces ensure reliable protection of independence, peace and territorial integrity, says Kazakh President
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said this during a ceremony of handing over state awards, highest military, special and class ranks Monday, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Akorda press service.
In his speech, President Tokayev said the Armed Forces ensure reliable protection of the independence, peace and territorial integrity of the country. He said: "Law enforcement agencies are responsible for law and order, whereas special agencies ensure national security. Rescuers’ tireless efforts are aimed at saving lives and health of our citizens caught in emergencies".
Last year, Kazakhstan deployed its first peacekeeping contingent to the UN mission, demonstrating the high-level trust of the international community in our Army, said Tokayev.
The Kazakh leader reiterated its country’s commitment to addressing all disputes through political dialogue, saying that Kazakhstan is a peaceful state with friendly relations with all countries. He also highlighted the need for the Army’s preparedness to complete its tasks at any time.
President Tokayev also noted the role of the state in boosting the potential of the Armed Forces.
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Chemical industry output grows by 7.7% in 2024, oil and gas chemical sector by more than 50%
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At the Government session chaired by Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov considered the issue of development of chemical and petrochemical industries, primeminister.kz reports.
The reports were made by Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev, Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov, as well as on the ongoing projects in the oil and gas chemical industry reported the Chairman of the Board of KazMunayGas company Askhat Khassenov.
Prime Minister drew attention to the indicators of development of industries. According to the results of last year, the volume of production in the chemical industry increased by 7.7%, in the oil and gas chemical sector by more than 50%. Exports of chemical products exceeded $2 billion, which is 13% higher than in 2023. It is emphasised that the positive dynamics continues in the first quarter of 2025. Thus, chemistry shows growth of 12.5%.
Olzhas Bektenov noted that the development of chemical and petrochemical industries directly affects the strengthening of the country's industrial potential.
The Head of State emphasises the strategic importance of the development of chemistry and petrochemistry in the context of diversifying the economy and increasing its competitiveness. The chemical industry ensures the development of other sectors such as agriculture, mining, metallurgy and construction," the Prime Minister emphasised.
There are 12 large chemical and oil and gas chemical enterprises in Kazakhstan, covering the production of a wide range of products, including mineral fertilisers, inorganic and organic chemicals.
For example, in Atyrau region there is a plant for production of polypropylene. It is currently the largest facility of its kind in Central Asia and the largest manufacturing project in Kazakhstan. Construction of Phase II of this project will begin there in 2024. The key task is to ensure full substitution of imported products and growth of exports with high added value.
At the same time, the Zhambyl region is expected to expand production of sodium cyanide and ammonium sulphate. In addition, promising projects for the production of butadiene, urea, polyethylene terephthalate are being implemented.
The Prime Minister noted the need to increase the depth of processing and expand the range of high-tech products.
All these projects will make a crucial contribution to the creation of value chains. Nevertheless, the industry's potential for deep processing of raw materials is still underutilised. Output volumes of sophisticated products are not yet high. In the context of volatile prices for raw materials and oil, it is necessary to increase processing and enter foreign markets with finished products. This will reduce the vulnerability of the economy and create quality jobs," Olzhas Bektenov said.
Prime Minister gave a number of instructions.
The Ministry of Industry needs to create conditions for attracting private investment in new high-tech projects for processing of raw materials. It was noted that today about 45% of raw materials for chemical production are exported without deep processing. Thus, annually from Kazakhstan exported about 800 thousand tonnes of phosphate rock.
The Ministry of National Economy together with the Ministries of Energy, Industry and Construction has been instructed to submit to the Government proposals with specific measures for tax and customs incentives for chemical and oil and gas chemical projects until 1 July this year.
Prime Minister expressed support for the initiative, voiced at a meeting with representatives of oil and gas business, to develop an independent law on oil and gas chemical industry. The Ministries of Energy, Industry and Construction, National Economy, Justice have been tasked to submit a draft document to the Government Apparatus by 1 September this year.
In connection with unscheduled stoppages at the plant for the production of polypropylene and delaying the stages of implementation of projects for the production of polyethylene and butadiene, the Samruk-Kazyna Fund was instructed to submit a clear schedule for eliminating the causes of downtime of the KPI plant and an updated plan-schedule indicating the stages and timing of completion of the Silleno plant by 15 June this year. A final decision on the Butadiene project is also required by 1 August this year.
The Ministry of Ecology together with the Ministries of Industry and Construction and Energy is tasked with completing this year an inventory of enterprises operating without modern environmental filters and recycling technologies, followed by the adoption of a special plan for their modernisation and introduction of green technologies.
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Kazakhstan sees record electricity consumption and production gap in years
In 2024, Kazakhstan recorded the highest gap between electricity consumption and production in the past few years, a report by energyprom.kz said, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The report said last year’s electricity demand grew to 120.4 billion kWh, with production at 117.9 billion kWh, representing a 2.4 billion kWh gap against 2.2 kWh in 2023.
According to the State Revenue Committee, Kazakhstan imports electricity from Russia to grapple with its electricity shortfall as well as in small volumes from Kyrgyzstan as part of electricity transit from Russia.
Kazakhstan’s electricity production grew 4.2% last year, led by combined heat and power and thermal power generation accounting for nearly 88.4 billion kWh. Electricity production rose by 3% in January-February this year.
The share of hydropower generation stood at 9.5%, reflecting 1.8% increase, gas turbine power generation at 10.1% (up 0.3%) and renewables - 5.4%, representing 6.4 billion kWh of the country’s electricity production in 2024.
The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan also cut its 2025 electricity production growth forecast from initial 121.8 billion kWh to 117.1 billion kWh, while also lowering expectations of electricity production at new facilities in 2025.
Kazakhstan’s National Power Grid estimated that the gap between demand and generation in electricity would be reduced to up to 2.6 billion kWh in 2026 or even achieve surplus in later years backed by large-scale projects after peaking at 5.7 billion kWh by the end of 2025.
In early April, the Kazakh Energy Ministry announced the plan to develop the electric power sector until 2035, revealing new energy facilities set to be built in Kazakhstan in the next decade with the total capacity of 26.4 GW, including a 2.4GW nuclear power plant and a 2.6GW GRES-3. Combustion gas turbines with a total capacity of 4.5 GW are set to be built in 11 administrative centers across the nation.
According to the Energy Ministry, by 2029, Kazakhstan is to commission four major 3.8 GW wind power plants backed by foreign investors, which reflects its commitment to advancing renewable energy.
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Olzhas Bektenov holds Economic Demonopolisation Commission meeting
Images | primeminister.kz
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting of the Economic Demonopolisation Commission. The implementation of the Presidential Decree "On measures to liberalise the economy" was considered, primeminister.kz reports.
Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin reported on the ongoing work to reduce the share of the state in the economy, increase the contribution of medium-sized businesses to GDP. State participation in the economy is planned to be limited only to socially important and strategic sectors. Chairman of the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition Marat Omarov reported on the measures taken to remove barriers that hinder the development of competition.
Following the results of the meeting, a pool of 475 business entities with state participation to be privatised, merged or liquidated was approved. The work will be built in stages, until 2030, more than half of the enterprises are included in the action plan for 2025-2026.
Prime Minister stressed that the implementation of the Decree should be carried out in due time. The work is under control.
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Kazakh President awards foreign service veteran Tleukhan Kabdrakhmanov Dostyq Order, I Degree
Images | Akorda
The Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, awarded Tleukhan Kabdrakhmanov the Dostyq Order, I Degree, Kazinform News Agency learnt from the Akorda press service.
The President decreed to decorate a statesman, foreign service veteran Tleukhan Kabdrakhmanov, with the Dostyq Order, I Degree for his great contribution to the foreign policy of Kazakhstan, the establishment and development of friendly relations with foreign countries.
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