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

Agricultural Import ban Chicken Eggs

Kazakhstan to Ban Chicken Egg Imports from April

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture has drafted an order to ban the import of fresh chicken eggs for six months, beginning in April. The proposal, backed by the government’s interdepartmental commission, is expected to remain in effect through the end of September. The ban will apply to all imports of fresh eggs, regardless of transport mode, from both countries outside of and member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). However, it will not affect the transit of eggs through Kazakhstan, including shipments moving from one EAEU country to another, such as from Russia to Kyrgyzstan. The initiative was not proposed by the authorities but by the Association of Egg Producers. “The Association appealed to the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture to consider a ban on egg imports from April to September,” said Kairat Maishev, head of the association. “A similar restriction was in place in 2024, from May to October. The goal is to curb illegal imports, prevent the entry of low-quality eggs, and support the development of the domestic industry.” Maishev stressed that the ban does not target legitimate importers but aims to ensure that imported eggs are properly documented and taxed. He also noted concerns about substandard products entering the market during the summer months. “In summer, the market often receives imports that do not meet shelf life and quality standards,” he stated. “It’s also difficult for authorities to regulate pricing for these products.” Kazakhstan currently has 34 poultry farms producing approximately five billion eggs annually, enough to meet domestic demand, according to the association. “We are confident that local producers can fully supply the population with quality products,” Maishev added. Official data shows that in 2024, Kazakhstan imported 87.4 million eggs and exported 43.2 million. Domestic production covered 99% of the national demand, with most imports originating from other EAEU countries. Government officials argue that the temporary ban will help strengthen the domestic egg industry and promote transparent pricing in the local market. In a related development, Kazakhstan suspended poultry imports in January from the U.S. states of Delaware and South Carolina, as well as Germany’s Baden-Württemberg region, due to outbreaks of avian influenza.

20 hours ago

Tax Policy Healthcare Medicines Taxation

Kazakh MPs Propose Differentiated Taxation for Medicines and Healthcare

Kazakh lawmakers are pushing for a differentiated tax policy on medicines and healthcare services to maintain their affordability amid upcoming tax reforms. Askhat Aimagambetov, a deputy of the Mazhilis (Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament), has proposed exempting certain essential medicines from value-added tax (VAT) and reducing the tax burden on medical institutions. Proposed VAT Adjustments Kazakhstan is currently debating a new Tax Code that would increase the VAT rate from 12% to 16%, while introducing zero and reduced rates for specific industries. Aimagambetov, writing on social media, noted that a group of Mazhilis deputies had repeatedly advocated for differentiated taxation of medicines and medical services even before discussions on the VAT hike began. He stressed that applying the full 16% VAT rate to all medical services and pharmaceuticals would lead to a sharp rise in costs and reduce access to healthcare for the population. Tax Exemptions for Essential Medicines To mitigate this impact, lawmakers propose VAT exemptions for drugs treating socially significant diseases such as: Cancer Rare diseases Palliative care Diabetes Autoimmune diseases “The specific list is still under discussion and will be expanded,” Aimagambetov stated. “This measure will prevent a sharp increase in drug prices for those who need them most, socially vulnerable groups.” For other medicines, a reduced VAT rate of 10% is under consideration. Impact on Medical Services Currently, medical services in Kazakhstan are not subject to VAT. However, under the new Tax Code, the government proposes introducing a 10% VAT rate. Aimagambetov and his colleagues initially suggested reducing this to 5%, but discussions are now focused on exempting certain socially significant medical services from VAT entirely. These include: Oncology treatments Palliative care (hospices) Stroke treatment Potentially obstetrics and other critical medical services For other medical services, a 10% VAT rate may be introduced. Changes to Corporate Tax in Healthcare In addition to VAT adjustments, the government plans to raise the corporate income tax for medical institutions. Currently, this sector benefits from a zero-tax rate, but under the proposed reforms, a 10% corporate tax would be applied. Consultations with Businesses Ongoing As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the government plans to finalize the list of industries eligible for the 10% VAT rate following consultations with the business community.

2 days ago

Nuclear Energy Former Minister Atomic Energy Agency

Former Energy Minister to Lead Kazakhstan’s New Nuclear Energy Agency

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree establishing the Atomic Energy Agency, a new government body that will report directly to the head of state. The decision, announced on March 18, is part of broader efforts to improve the country’s public administration system. The new agency will oversee uranium mining, the use of atomic energy, radiation safety, and the management of the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone. Previously, these responsibilities fell under the Ministry of Energy. Along with its functions, the agency will also inherit its first leader from the ministry: Almasadam Satkaliyev, who has been appointed as its head after being relieved of his role as energy minister. Satkaliyev has held key positions in Kazakhstan’s energy sector, including serving as vice president for economics at KazTransOil, head of the Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Management Company (KEGOC), and chairman of Samruk-Energo. Since 2023, he has led the Ministry of Energy, where he played a central role in preparing for a national referendum on nuclear power plant construction and negotiating with potential suppliers from Russia, China, South Korea, and France. As head of the new agency, Satkaliyev is expected to work closely with the presidential administration on drafting regulations and structuring the agency’s operations. His successor at the Ministry of Energy is Yerlan Akkenzhenov, who previously served as deputy energy minister and has experience within the national oil company KazMunayGas. Tokayev first announced plans to establish the Atomic Energy Agency just days ago during a meeting of the National Kurultai (Assembly), as reported previously by The Times of Central Asia.

3 days ago

Privatization Oil refinery

Kazakhstan Proposes Privatization of Two Major Oil Refineries

Kazakhstan’s Agency for Protection and Development of Competition (AZRC) has proposed the partial privatization of the Atyrau and Pavlodar oil refineries. According to Rustam Akhmetov, the agency’s first deputy chairman, the proposal involves selling 50% of the state’s stake in these assets. Current Refinery Ownership Structure Kazakhstan operates three major oil refineries, located in: Pavlodar (northeast) Atyrau (west) Shymkent (southern region) The Pavlodar refinery is fully owned by KazMunayGas Refining and Marketing JSC, a subsidiary of the state-owned KazMunayGas (KMG). Similarly, the Atyrau refinery is 100% state-owned through KMG. In contrast, the Shymkent refinery operates under a 50-50 joint venture between KMG and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) through PetroKazakhstan Group. Shymkent as a Model for Privatization AZRC cites the Shymkent refinery as the most efficiently operated among the three. “We see a successful example in Shymkent, where 50% is owned by the private sector. Most importantly, private management means fewer government officials in operational roles. As a result, there are significantly fewer accidents, fewer technological failures, and less downtime for repairs. This confirms that private sector management is more effective,” Akhmetov told reporters on the sidelines of Parliament. He also noted that preliminary discussions on privatization have already taken place within the government. Oil Refining in 2024 According to the Ministry of Energy, Kazakhstan is expected to refine 17.9 million tons of oil in 2024, yielding 14.5 million tons of oil products. The three main refineries processed similar volumes in the previous year: Shymkent refinery 5.74 million tons of oil processed 2.09 million tons of motor gasoline 1.78 million tons of diesel fuel 319,000 tons of jet fuel 335,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas Atyrau refinery 5.5 million tons of oil processed 1.6 million tons of gasoline 1.6 million tons of diesel fuel 188,000 tons of jet fuel 213,000 tons of autogas Pavlodar refinery 5.5 million tons of oil processed 1.6 million tons of gasoline 1.8 million tons of diesel fuel 236,000 tons of jet fuel 321,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas In addition to these major refineries, more than two dozen mini-refineries across Kazakhstan contribute to oil processing. Privatization of Other Key Sectors Akhmetov also revealed that AZRC has recommended the privatization of most municipal utilities in the housing and communal services (HCS) sector, including heat and power plants. Additionally, the agency, in coordination with sectoral government bodies, has agreed to privatize a significant portion of the defense-industrial complex, including firms handling government contracts. However, some strategically important enterprises will remain under state control. Akhmetov did not specify which companies would be exempt from privatization. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan plans to establish a major defense industry hub at Semey’s tank repair plant, the only such facility in Central Asia.

4 days ago

Digital Investment Coin Gold Coin National Bank Banking

National Bank of Kazakhstan to Launch Digital Investment and Gold Coins

The National Bank of Kazakhstan has announced the launch of the Gold Coin project, a digital investment coin, starting March 17. The coin’s value is pegged to 1/20 of a troy ounce of gold, fluctuating based on global gold prices. According to the National Bank, the Gold Coin project aims to offer Kazakhstani citizens an alternative investment tool, integrating digital assets with modern financial technology. One unit of the Gold Coin corresponds to 1/20 of a troy ounce of gold (with one troy ounce equaling 31.1035 grams). The coin’s value will be determined by the price of gold, as set by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), and the official exchange rate of the tenge against the U.S. dollar on the preceding day of a transaction. As of the evening of March 13, the price of gold on the London Stock Exchange stood at $2,924.80 per troy ounce. “The new investment instrument will be available through the Tabys mobile application of the Astana International Exchange (AIX), part of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). Users will be able to buy, sell, and gift Gold Coins online. Additionally, holders who accumulate 20 units of Gold Coin can exchange them for a physical ÚKI gold investment coin at National Bank branches nationwide. The ÚKI coin will be introduced into circulation on March 17, 2025,” the National Bank stated in a press release. The ÚKI gold coin was unveiled in February 2025 at the World Money Fair in Berlin, the world's largest numismatic event. The fair gathers central banks, mints, coin production companies, designers, and numismatic publishers. Kazakhstan’s National Bank presented the ÚKI coin, which is made of 99.99% pure gold (Au 999.9), weighs 31.1 grams, and has a face value of 100 tenge. The coin will also be available for purchase via the Tabys application. At the end of 2024, the National Bank of Kazakhstan issued commemorative collector coins, including S. Nurmagambetov. 100 JYL from the “Outstanding Events and People” series and Alexander the Great from the “Great Commanders” series. The first coin, honoring Kazakhstan’s first Minister of Defense and national hero Sagadat Nurmagambetov, is made of cupronickel (MN 25), weighs 15 grams, has a face value of 200 tenge, and was minted in a quantity of 5,000. The Alexander the Great coin is made of sterling silver, weighs 31.1 grams, has a face value of 1,000 tenge (approximately $2), and was issued in a limited run of 2,000 copies. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan began issuing coins with inscriptions in its new Latin-based alphabet in 2019.

1 week ago