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

Investments China Biotechnology corn processing

China to Invest $500M in Corn Processing in Kazakhstan

Chinese biopharmaceutical company Yili Chuanning Biological Co. will invest $500 million in a large-scale corn processing project in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region. The announcement came during the China-Central Asia Industrial and Investment Cooperation Forum held in Astana, where a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Almaty region’s Akimat (local government) and Yili Chuanning, one of China’s leading biopharmaceutical firms. The agreement outlines the construction of a major processing facility in the Yenbekshikazakh district’s Shelek industrial zone. The project will incorporate advanced biotechnology for the production of amino acids, probiotics, and biodegradable materials, including packaging and medical products. The investment, valued at approximately $500 million, is expected to create up to 1,000 new jobs. The plant is projected to process hundreds of thousands of tons of corn annually. Chinese specialists are currently conducting a comprehensive assessment of the site, examining infrastructure, logistics, and economic factors, and preparing a phased implementation strategy. During the forum, additional agreements were signed regarding Chinese investments in Kazakhstan’s agricultural processing sector, several of which also target corn processing. One such initiative is an $800 million project by the Fufeng Group in the Zhambyl region. This facility will process up to one million tons of corn per year to produce high-value-added goods such as lysine and amino acids. It is expected to generate around 1,500 jobs and provide stable demand for regional farmers. Offtake contracts have already been signed for the supply of 300,000 tons of corn in 2025. In the Turkestan region, Xinjiang Lihua Group Co., Ltd. is developing a $420 million integrated cotton cluster. The project encompasses the entire production chain, from cotton cultivation to the manufacture of finished textile goods. Separately, the Investment Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a contract with Qingdao Wanlin Food Corporation for an $89 million facility dedicated to onion dehydration and deep vegetable processing. The plant will primarily export to China, the United States, and Europe. Kazakhstan is intensifying its efforts to advance deep agricultural processing, driven in part by challenges in exporting raw commodities.

7 hours ago

Automotive Industry domestic production

Kazakhstan’s Automotive Industry to Produce Nearly 150,000 Vehicles in 2025

Kazakhstan's automotive industry is projected to manufacture approximately 149,000 vehicles in 2025, according to government forecasts. This figure represents a 5% increase over 2024, when the country produced 134,000 vehicles. "This year, the automotive industry is expected to increase domestic car production to 149,000 units, or 5% more than in 2024," the government stated. The growth is being driven by several new car assembly projects initiated in 2025, including the construction of the Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan multi-brand plant in Almaty. Located in Kazakhstan’s largest city, the Almaty facility will begin assembling Chinese automotive brands such as Chery, Haval, and Changan. The project has attracted investments totaling KZT 202 billion (approximately USD 397.3 million) and is expected to produce up to 120,000 cars annually while creating more than 3,600 jobs. The development is also expected to stimulate related industries, particularly in auto parts manufacturing. Meanwhile, in Kostanay, the construction of a new KIA Kazakhstan plant is underway. With a projected capacity of 70,000 vehicles per year, the project has received KZT 90 billion (USD 177 million) in investment and will employ around 1,500 workers. According to the Kazakhstan Automobile Union, 33,100 new vehicles were produced nationwide in the first quarter of 2025. Of these, 18,000 were assembled in Kostanay, 12,900 in Almaty, and the remainder in Semey, the Karaganda Region, Kokshetau, and other locations. In a sign of the sector’s vertical development, the Almaty Autoparts Production enterprise has commenced operations in the city’s industrial zone. It will manufacture up to 100,000 car seat sets annually for Hyundai vehicles. The government's report underscores the role of state policy in advancing Kazakhstan’s machine-building industry, particularly through the formation of investment clusters. “Of the 17 major projects that form the industrial backbone of the economy, nine are overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Construction,” the report noted. The government’s focus on investment and localization is bearing fruit. In 2023, KZT 115 billion (USD 226 million) was invested in machine building, a figure that more than doubled in 2024 to KZT 282 billion (USD 554 million). Currently, over 4,000 enterprises are active in Kazakhstan’s machine-building sector. These include 66 large companies, 105 medium-sized firms, and 3,998 small businesses. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the country set a new record for new car sales in 2024.

1 day ago

Digital Trade Aset Nusupov Astana International Trade Forum digital trade growth e-Commerce

Kazakhstan’s E-Commerce Sector Expands Fivefold Since 2020

Kazakhstan’s e-commerce sector reached a volume of approximately KZT 3.2 trillion ($6.2 billion) in 2024, marking a fivefold increase since 2020, according to Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration Aset Nusupov. The announcement was made at the Astana International Trade Forum. Nusupov emphasized that digital trade has become a strategic pillar of Kazakhstan’s economic development, export diversification, and integration into global value chains. “At the end of 2024, e-commerce in Kazakhstan amounted to about KZT 3.2 trillion, with volumes increasing fivefold since 2020,” he stated. “The potential for growth remains high, given our strong digital infrastructure, advanced fintech ecosystem, and more than 8 million young, active users.” E-commerce currently accounts for 14.1% of Kazakhstan’s total retail trade. The Ministry aims to raise this figure to 18.5% by 2029, more than double the current level. Authorities acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic served as a major catalyst for growth in the sector, as lockdowns and social distancing measures accelerated the shift toward contactless commerce. Nusupov highlighted the sector’s global trajectory, noting that roughly 30% of the world’s population now shops online. The global e-commerce market is valued at $6.3 trillion as of 2024 and is expected to grow to $8.3 trillion in the coming years. Kazakhstan’s participation in this trend has had tangible economic benefits. According to the deputy minister, the country's trade deficit in services, reflecting a surplus of imports over exports, fell from $3.65 billion in 2016 to $1.81 billion in 2023, partly due to the expansion of e-commerce. To maintain momentum, Kazakhstan has adopted a national plan for e-commerce development through 2027. The strategy prioritizes legislative reform, educational programs, financial support for entrepreneurs, and investment in logistics infrastructure. Legislative initiatives aim to strengthen consumer protection and establish regulatory parity between online and offline retail sectors. Kazakhstan is also engaged in international efforts to expand cross-border e-commerce. Meanwhile, as previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, domestic debates continue over increasing taxation on foreign e-commerce platforms, an issue that has gained traction in recent years.

4 days ago

Energy Export President Tokayev nuclear raw materials hydrocarbons Slovakia

Tokayev: Kazakhstan Ready to Supply Oil, Gas, and Uranium to Slovakia

Kazakhstan is prepared to begin supplying hydrocarbons and nuclear raw materials to Slovakia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced following talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Astana. Speaking at a joint press briefing, Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Slovakia across both bilateral and multilateral platforms, with particular emphasis on expanding economic cooperation. In 2024, trade between the two countries reached $140 million. According to Tokayev, new opportunities are emerging in sectors such as energy, industrial production, agriculture, logistics, digitalization, critical raw materials, education, and tourism. “Kazakhstan is ready to export oil, gas, uranium, food products, and other goods to Slovakia,” Tokayev said. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, the country exported 68.6 million tons of oil to foreign markets in 2024. This year, exports are projected to increase to 70.5 million tons. The bulk of these exports, 57.05 million tons, will be shipped via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). Additional routes include the Atyrau-Samara pipeline (8.8 million tons), the Druzhba pipeline to Germany (1.2 million tons), and the Atasu-Alashankou route to China (1 million tons). Kazakhstan also plans to ship 3.6 million tons of oil through the port of Aktau, with 1.5 million tons continuing via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Following his meeting with Fico, Tokayev also highlighted potential cooperation in military-technical fields. The two leaders discussed leveraging the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, which links China and Europe through Kazakhstan. “I invited our Slovak partners to participate in this project, which could open new horizons for bilateral trade,” Tokayev said. Prime Minister Fico expressed interest in deepening cooperation in both the oil and nuclear energy sectors. “We have five reactors, and a sixth will soon be operational. We’re also planning to purchase a 1.5 MW nuclear power plant. If our Kazakh colleagues are interested, we’re ready to cooperate,” Fico stated. He also noted discussions on utilizing the Druzhba pipeline corridor through Russia and Belarus to supply oil to Slovakia. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is moving forward with plans for its first nuclear power plant. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the country’s Atomic Energy Agency is expected to announce by the end of this month which foreign company will be awarded the construction contract.

5 days ago

Labor workplace accidents

Fifteen Killed in Industrial Accidents in Kazakhstan Since Start of 2025

Kazakh authorities are tightening oversight of hazardous industrial facilities and will require operators to promptly modernize aging equipment, which is frequently cited as a leading cause of workplace accidents. “From January to May, 11 accidents occurred in Kazakhstan across the petrochemical and mining industries, as well as at boiler and gas facilities and during the processing of vegetable raw materials. These incidents resulted in over 60 emergency situations, injuring 22 workers and claiming the lives of 15,” Emergency Situations Minister Chingiz Arinov reported during a government meeting. Officials from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection added that in 2024, more than 1,400 people were injured in industrial accidents, and 202 Kazakh citizens lost their lives. Additionally, nearly 16,000 individuals lost their ability to work, with approximately half of the cases linked to occupational illnesses and the other half to workplace injuries. Currently, over 445,000 jobs in Kazakhstan are classified as harmful or dangerous. Since the beginning of the year, inspections of around 16,000 facilities for industrial and fire safety revealed more than 100,000 violations. Authorities suspended operations at more than 7,500 production sites for severe infractions. Arinov emphasized that outdated and poorly maintained equipment is a key contributor to these accidents. “To address this, the ministry plans to legislate mandatory renovation and technical upgrade plans for owners of hazardous facilities,” he said. “These plans will require official approval by our department.” The Ministry of Labor has also proposed the implementation of continuous digital monitoring in high-risk sectors. This would involve installing sensors linked to a unified automated information system to track working conditions in real time. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered comprehensive inspections of industrial facilities following the deaths of seven Kazakhmys Corporation workers at the Zhomart mine in the Zhanaarka district of Ulytau region in February.

6 days ago

State Budget taxes Budget Government

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.

4 months ago