The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and AKASHI Data Center PLC have signed an agreement to provide $31.2 million in financing for a data center project in Astana. According to the EDB, the project will expand Kazakhstan’s data storage and processing capacity and mark the first data center construction project in the Bank’s investment portfolio. AKASHI
Eight governments have announced country partnerships and compacts to advance responsible metals and minerals development, create jobs, and strengthen local economies, the World Bank reported on October 16. Argentina, Bolivia, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Malawi, Mauritania, and Zambia set out priorities, commitments, and measurable targets to guide reforms, increase investment, and deliver lasting benefits for
Kazakhstan has approved a national standard for pasteurized camel milk. The standard establishes uniform product requirements and aims to help domestic enterprises expand their product range and develop exports. The document will come into force on November 1, 2026, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration. In Kazakhstan, camel milk has traditionally been used
As part of his working visit to Italy on October 7, Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliev chaired the 10th meeting of the Intergovernmental Kazakhstan–Italy Working Group on Industrial and Economic Cooperation and Exchanges and held meetings with the heads of Italian companies and business associations, according to the Ministry of Trade
The United States Government has established the Trans-Caspian Enterprise Fund (TCEF), a non-profit investment fund committed to private sector development across the South Caucasus and Central Asian region. Capitalized with $201 million from the U.S. Government to mobilize private investment along the Trans-Caspian Trade Route, the Fund will invest in businesses and infrastructure that can
The Kazakhstan-Denmark Business Forum was held on October 1 in Konaev with the support of NC KAZAKH INVEST JSC and the Akimat of Almaty Region as part of the official visit of Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, to Kazakhstan. More than 100 representatives of government agencies, development
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) says it acts as a senior co-lender in the financing of Almaty International Airport as part of a syndicate arranged by Bank of America. The total financing will amount to $670 million, with the EDB contributing $100 million. Almaty International Airport is the largest aviation hub in Central Asia and
Kazakhstan’s national railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, has announced the launch of the Women’s Carriage service on an international train route for the first time. Starting October 1, 2026, the service will be available in the daily train operating on the Almaty–Tashkent route. “The international Almaty–Tashkent route is vital for developing passenger travel between Kazakhstan
Growth across Central Asia and Mongolia remained strong, at 5.9 per cent year on year, in the first half of 2026, according to the latest Regional Economic Prospects report published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The Bank forecasts growth in Central Asia and Mongolia to remain robust at 5.8 per cent in 2026
Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev on 22 September held a meeting with the UK Government’s Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan and Central Asia, Lord John Alderdice. The parties discussed bilateral trade, expansion of Kazakh exports, development of industrial cooperation, investment, and scientific-educational collaboration, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration. By
The Central Asia+Italy Business Platform Forum took place in Astana on September 18, where B5+ITALY was officially launched. The platform has already outlined specific areas for further cooperation: increasing non-commodity exports from Kazakhstan to Italy, launching joint production facilities, developing regional trade and logistics hubs, and expanding direct transport links, according to the Kazakh Ministry
A new virology laboratory of the National Center of Expertise under the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan was officially inaugurated on September 10 in the city of Turkistan. The lab was established by the Government of Kazakhstan as part of the country’s Pandemic Fund project, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and
According to the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan, over the past five years, 24 regulatory legal acts have been adopted and 20 information systems have been modernized to combat the shadow economy. As a result, the share of the non-observed economy in GDP decreased from 17.58% in 2023 to 15.69%
On September 16, the first Central Asia–Republic of Korea Summit took place in Seoul. The event, chaired by President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung, was attended by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and President of
On September 15 in Seoul, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung. Tokayev noted the progressive dynamics of the development of bilateral cooperation. “Last year, we had our first telephone conversation, during which we agreed to continue developing our strategic partnership based on mutual trust
Kazakhstan and China have launched a joint digital platform for trading grain and agricultural products. The new tool is expected to increase Kazakh agricultural exports to China, a key market for Kazakhstan. The platform was inaugurated on September 5 as part of the Kazakh delegation’s participation in the 8th China Grain Trade Conference, according to
In 2025, Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) amounted to 72.6 billion US dollars. In 2024, this figure was $67.7 billion, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration. Kazakhstan’s exports to the SCO countries amounted to 30.7 billion dollars, while imports totaled 41.8 billion dollars. Kazakhstan’s
The United Nations General Assembly on August 31 adopted the resolution entitled “International Day of Greening the Planet,” initiated by Kazakhstan, proclaiming 22 April as the International Day of Greening the Planet. The initiative to establish the International Day was put forward by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the general debate of the 80th
At the August National Conference of Education Workers of Kazakhstan on August 26, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about the education and upbringing of youth. In his opinion, schools should not only impart knowledge but also cultivate a confident, courageous, and optimistic and future-oriented generation. According to Tokayev, the task of teachers is to cultivate optimists,
International rating agency S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the sovereign credit rating of Kazakhstan to “BBB”. Previously, the country’s sovereign credit rating stood at “BBB-”, according to the Kazakh Ministry of National Economy. According to the agency’s rating scale, Kazakhstan has achieved this rating level for the first time since 2016. The sovereign rating upgrade