Our People > Dmitry Pokidaev

Dmitry Pokidaev

Journalist

Dmitry Pokidaev is a journalist based in Astana, Kazakhstan, with experience at some of the country's top media outlets. Before his career in journalism, Pokidaev worked as an academic, teaching Russian language and literature.

Articles

Drone production

Kazakhstan to Launch Drone Production at Correctional Facility in Akmola Region

A correctional facility in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region is preparing to launch full-cycle production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to Yermek Shurmanov, director of Enbek, a state-owned enterprise operating under the country’s penal system. A renovated hangar in the settlement of Arshaly, the administrative center of Arshaly District in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region, has already been equipped with machinery needed to manufacture drone airframes, circuit boards, and develop onboard software. Enbek oversees employment programs for inmates housed in penal institutions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazakhstan has 78 such facilities, holding around 23,000 able-bodied convicts. Of these, more than 18,000 are already engaged in various forms of industrial labor. Shurmanov stated that the initiative involves not just drone assembly, but full-scale production taking place within the correctional facility. The project is being implemented in partnership with Kazakhstani businesses, which are placing production orders directly with the institutions. Currently, correctional facilities in Kazakhstan manufacture furniture, construction materials, clothing, playground equipment, and small architectural forms, and operate greenhouse farming. Inmates also receive vocational training and work under formal labor contracts, in accordance with the national Labor Code. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, drone production is already underway within Kazakhstan’s military sector. In Almaty, UAVs are being tested for commercial delivery services. In East Kazakhstan, drones equipped with artificial intelligence are being used to monitor soil and crop conditions, and in Karaganda, engineers have unveiled prototypes for drones designed for public safety operations.

8 hours ago

Tax Reform

Tax Reform in Kazakhstan Could Lead to Drug Shortages

Kazakhstan’s new tax policy has triggered concerns over potential disruptions in the supply of medicines and medical devices. Industry leaders warn that complexities in administering value-added tax (VAT), along with legal inconsistencies in the updated Tax Code, could destabilize the country's pharmaceutical market. Ruslan Sultanov, chairman of Kazakhstan’s Association of Pharmaceutical and Medical Product Manufacturers, raised concerns during an online meeting with government and business representatives. He said the changes have already led distributors to refuse purchases of several essential medicines. Last year, Kazakhstan adopted a new Tax Code that increased the VAT rate from 12% to 16%. It also introduced zero and reduced VAT rates for specific sectors. During parliamentary discussions, lawmakers proposed exempting essential medicines from VAT and reducing the tax burden on medical institutions. Ultimately, authorities agreed to fully exempt more than 3,000 medicines purchased under the Guaranteed Volume of Free Medical Care (GVFMC) and Compulsory Social Health Insurance (CSHI) programs from VAT. However, Sultanov said these exemptions have not been sufficient to stabilize the market. According to him, the pharmaceutical sector is facing unprecedented administrative pressure. One of the most critical problems is the inconsistent taxation of medical devices procured under the GVFMC and CSHI frameworks. While medical services are completely exempt from VAT, a 5% VAT rate is still applied to medical devices. “As a result, hospitals are in a situation where they cannot offset the tax when purchasing medical equipment. After factoring in administrative costs, companies are losing 5-7%. This affects both domestic and foreign manufacturers,” Sultanov explained. The lack of clear guidance from government agencies has further complicated matters. Socially significant medicines, which were previously taxed at 5%, are now VAT-exempt but ambiguity around the new rules has led to widespread reluctance among distributors to place orders. “The confusion has created a bottleneck. For example, paracetamol is physically available in warehouses, but its movement is being blocked. Without timely clarification, we will face a shortage,” Sultanov warned. To resolve the issue, he proposed eliminating the fragmented VAT structure currently applied to the pharmaceutical sector. Sultanov also highlighted the risks associated with the under-declaration of customs values for imported drugs. He stated that customs officials continue to rely on outdated price data from a year ago, ignoring current market rates. This, combined with delays in approving maximum retail prices by the Ministry of Health, threatens the viability of long-term drug supply contracts signed before January 2026, particularly those involving medicines not produced domestically. His concerns are echoed by pharmacy industry leaders. Talgat Omarov, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Association of Independent Pharmacies, confirmed that the organization has submitted formal appeals to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Senate leadership, calling for the complete exemption of the pharmaceutical sector from VAT, not just medications supplied under state programs. “Every day, customers come into pharmacies, see new price tags, complain, and leave. We hear this negativity constantly. Medicines are socially significant goods, and applying additional taxes in the current climate is dangerous,” Omarov said. To cope with increased taxes...

3 days ago

Tourism

Kazakhstan Expects to Double Influx of Foreign Gambling Tourists

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects the number of foreign gambling tourists to double following the planned opening of new casinos in four regions of the country. Gambling tourists are foreign nationals who travel specifically to visit casinos and other gambling establishments. Currently, gambling is legally permitted only in two designated zones: the city of Konaev in the Almaty region and the Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort area in the Akmola Region. These facilities are open to both Kazakh and foreign citizens. The government is considering a significant expansion of the gambling sector’s footprint. Plans are underway to open new casinos that will be accessible exclusively to foreign tourists. Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Baurzhan Rapikov said the proposed locations for the new facilities include the East Kazakhstan, Almaty, Mangistau, and Zhetysu regions. He added that the expected economic impact includes about 500 jobs per casino, annual tax revenues of $4 million to $8 million, and an increase in gambling tourists from 100,000 to 200,000 per year. In parallel, Kazakhstan is prioritizing the digitalization of its tourism sector. Beginning in February, the ministry will launch the development of a unified digital tourism ecosystem based on the Kazakhstan.Travel platform. The upgraded system will feature an intelligent, AI-powered route planner, online booking tools, and optimal travel date suggestions. A new feature, KazTuristBot, will provide personalized recommendations and 24/7 support for travelers. For businesses, the platform will offer a showcase of tourism products, demand analytics, and digital tools for accessing government support. Authorities will also gain access to real-time data on tourist flows, enabling targeted infrastructure development in high-demand regions. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan emerged in 2025 as one of the fastest-growing destinations in Central Asia for South Korean tourists. Data from the Agoda platform showed a 295% increase in travel interest between January and October.

3 days ago

Investments

Kazakhstan Plans to Attract More Than $60 Billion in Investments in 2026

Kazakhstan aims to attract $62.7 billion in total investment in 2026, including $25.5 billion in foreign capital. The figures were announced during a government meeting on investment strategy chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. According to Bektenov, state authorities have been tasked with increasing the inflow of high-quality investments and ensuring the launch of projects with high added value. In line with this strategic goal, Kazakhstan’s Investment Policy Concept has been updated and extended to 2030. By the end of 2025, investment in fixed capital had reached $45 billion. In 2026, the government plans to implement 475 investment projects worth approximately $32 billion, creating over 1,100 permanent jobs. For comparison, 273 projects valued at $5 billion were launched in 2025. The government is shifting to a proactive investment model focused on sector-specific targeting and the development of a pre-approved portfolio of investment proposals. Major projects underway include the CHN Corporation’s $4 billion coal chemical complex in the Karaganda region, Fufeng Group’s $800 million corn deep processing plant, Shandong Yuwang Industrial’s $250 million soybean processing facility, and additional investments from Roca Group and UBM Group. Investor protection remains a top priority. The investment ombudsman role has been transferred to the Prosecutor General. In addition, the former investment committee has been restructured into the Committee for the Protection of Investors’ Rights. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office; these reforms have led to a 30% reduction in legal disputes involving investors. Despite this progress, Bektenov emphasized that excessive bureaucracy and delays in local procedures continue to hinder investment, resulting in direct economic losses. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan was named as one of the leading investment destinations in the Eurasian region, alongside Uzbekistan.

4 days ago

Agriculture

Kazakhstan to Increase Grain Processing Nearly Tenfold by 2028

Kazakhstan plans to increase its deep grain processing capacity nearly tenfold by 2028, as part of a broader strategy to shift from raw material exports to the production of high value-added agricultural products. The initiative includes five major investment projects for wheat and corn processing, with a combined annual capacity of 4.8 million tons of grain. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the projects will be located across the northern, southern, and central regions of the country and are expected to become a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial transformation. These priorities were outlined during the fourth meeting of the National Kurultai in March 2024, where President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need for industrial diversification and greater economic resilience. Currently, Kazakhstan processes just over 510,000 tons of grain annually in the deep processing segment. The country has three specialized enterprises that produce starch, gluten, molasses, bioethanol, and other high value-added products. The five new projects are expected to attract $2.6 billion in investment and create approximately 3,300 jobs. Key developments include a wheat processing plant with a capacity of 415,000 tons per year in the Kostanay region; corn processing enterprises in the Turkestan and Zhambyl regions; and new production facilities in Astana and Akmola region focusing on starch, gluten, bioethanol, and amino acids. A significant share of these products will be exported to the U.S., Europe, China, India, the Eurasian Economic Union member states, the Middle East, and Africa. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan harvested a record crop of grains and oilseeds in 2024, providing the raw material base for this upcoming industrial expansion.

5 days ago

State Budget

Kazakhstan Explores Budget Cuts and Tax Reforms with Input from Elon Musk

Kazakhstan is exploring ways to optimize its state budget, drawing inspiration from recent U.S. reforms. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin revealed that Elon Musk, head of the newly established U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has offered assistance in implementing similar measures in Kazakhstan. According to Zhumangarin, Musk proposed helping the government identify potential cost-cutting areas, though he acknowledged that reducing social expenditures would be challenging. He welcomed Musk’s input, suggesting the formation of a working group to assess possible savings while ensuring that cuts do not negatively impact ordinary citizens. The discussion on budget efficiency comes as Kazakhstan prepares for tax reforms, including raising the value-added tax (VAT) from 12% to a proposed 16-20% and lowering the revenue threshold for VAT registration from 78 million KZT to 15 million KZT ($150,000 to $29,000). Officials estimate the changes could generate an additional 5-7 trillion KZT in revenue. However, the proposed reforms have met resistance. A petition argues that lowering the VAT threshold will disproportionately burden small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), forcing them to hire additional staff and leading to price increases. Some lawmakers have also warned that raising the VAT rate could drive inflation higher. Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev has urged the government to reassess budget efficiency before implementing tax hikes, pointing to the U.S. model, where the Department of Government Efficiency is working to cut wasteful spending. While he does not advocate blindly following the U.S. approach, Ashimbayev believes Kazakhstan should consider similar measures as it debates tax increases and fiscal responsibility. As previously reported, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy had proposed reducing the number of taxes in the country by 21% a year ago.

12 months ago