Kazakhstan - The Times Of Central Asia

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TCA Interviews

Actor Rauan Akhmedov on Cinema in Kazakhstan and Why He Has No Interest in Hollywood

Rauan Akhmedov is one of Kazakhstan’s most sought-after young actors. Despite his rapidly rising career and growing international interest in Kazakh cinema, the 22-year-old says his priority is to continue developing within the domestic industry. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, he discusses the state of cinema in Kazakhstan, the role of personal experience in his acting, and why tradition and modernity are not mutually exclusive. TCA: Your breakthrough came with Black Yard, directed by Dias Bertis. Is it true he noticed you while you were filming a small cameo in the series The Player? Rauan: Yes. I came to the audition, and we were rehearsing a scene with another candidate, I think he was reading for a doctor. We weren’t getting it right, so at some point the director stepped away. I then suggested to my scene partner that we try a different approach. Dias overheard us, came over, and said, “Switch roles.” We did, and he decided I should take the part. Apparently, he liked my performance, and later he invited me to Black Yard. TCA: You have three films coming out this spring. Is the Kazakhstani film industry becoming overcrowded? Do you feel the urge to work abroad? Rauan: Not yet. I want to follow my own path and realize my potential here. I believe Kazakhstani cinema can reach a very high level. I don’t dream about Hollywood. If I ever end up there, I want it to be through a Kazakhstani project. It’s important for me to stay at home, the language, the culture, the people. I want to grow here and contribute to the development of cinema in my country. Especially as audiences abroad are beginning to take an interest in our films. We haven’t conquered the world yet, but we’re improving all the time. Kazakhstan has strong potential. TCA: Would you describe yourself as a patriot? Rauan: Yes. I respect our filmmakers. When someone succeeds, when a film performs well at the box office, I’m genuinely pleased, even if it’s not my project. I think that once we overcome internal divisions and start supporting one another, we can achieve a great deal. TCA: Many films are now being shot in the Kazakh language. Does that give Kazakh-speaking actors a competitive advantage? Rauan: Probably. But in my view, that’s natural. Every country produces films in its own language. We are Kazakhs, who else will make films in Kazakh? At the same time, I respect all languages, Russian, English, Chinese. The more languages you know, the broader your perspective. TCA: You often portray characters from the 1990s, even though you were born in the 2000s. How do you research that period? Rauan: Partly through my parents. But it’s not that long ago, you can find a lot online, and I experienced some of it myself. For example, we had a rotary phone at home. We often used a VCR to watch home videos, family celebrations, my parents’ wedding. I saw how young they...

Flour Exports

Kazakhstan Tests Trans-Caspian Route for Flour Exports to U.S.

Kazakhstan has begun testing a new export route for shipping finished products to the United States via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TMTM), marking a step toward diversifying logistics and expanding the geographic reach of its exports. In early March, KTZ Express JSC organized the multimodal transport of a shipment of Kazakhstani flour along the route. The project is considered a pilot, but its results could help determine the prospects for establishing a sustainable commercial corridor. The shipment consisted of 24 tons of wheat flour. The shipper was SALAMAT Company LLP, one of Kazakhstan’s leading flour producers. Transportation is being carried out in container format using both rail and maritime infrastructure. The route includes: Kostanay to the Port of Aktau by rail Crossing the Caspian Sea to the Port of Alyat (Azerbaijan) Transit through Georgia via the Port of Poti and across the Black Sea Further maritime transport via Istanbul and the Mediterranean Sea Entry into the Atlantic Ocean with final delivery to New York The maritime segment of the route is being carried out in partnership with CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies. The project demonstrates that the TMTM can be used for the delivery of higher value-added products to distant markets, including the U.S. This is not the first shipment of Kazakhstani flour to the U.S. In 2025, the product had already entered the U.S. market, becoming available on platforms such as Amazon and Walmart, as well as being used by a number of bakeries. Currently, there are plans to expand distribution, including entry into the restaurant and coffee shop segments. The Kazakhstani side is also preparing to supply flour to major retail chains such as Costco, Whole Foods Market, and Trader Joe’s. According to project participants, the successful completion of the pilot shipment has confirmed the viability of the logistics model. As part of further development, there are plans to shorten the maritime segment. In particular, the option of shipping cargo directly from Istanbul to New York without additional stops at European ports is being considered, which would reduce delivery times. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the route will be established as a regular commercial channel or remain a pilot project.

Food & Drink

Traditional Kazakh Foods Find a Niche in Foreign Markets

Traditional Kazakh food products such as kazy (a sausage-like delicacy made of horse meat), kumys (a fermented beverage made from mare’s milk), and kurt (dry cheese made from fermented milk) are now expanding beyond Kazakhstan's borders, becoming part of the country's export potential. According to QazTrade Trade Policy Development Center, with state support, the export of traditional Kazakh foods could reach $50-$80 million by 2028. Russia and China remain the largest markets for traditional Kazakh foods, as these countries are home to more than 2 million ethnic Kazakhs, which creates a stable demand for traditional products. Kurt and kumys are particularly popular on the Russian market. In China, especially in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, home to more than 10 million Muslims, there is growing demand for meat delicacies and halal products. The export of traditional Kazakh dairy products shows steady growth. The export of kumys, shubat (camel's milk), and ayran (fermented cow's milk) totaled $13.4 million in 2024 and $17.3 million in 2025 (a 29.4% increase). The main difficulty in exporting kumys is its short shelf life. Chilled kumys can be stored for only 3-5 days, so delivering it to more distant markets is a challenge. Producers are currently seeking solutions to this problem, including pasteurising it so that it can be stored for up to 30 days, as well as lyophilised kumys powder. Such products are already being supplied to China, although volumes remain modest for now. Kazakhstan's traditional foods are gradually finding their niche in foreign markets under a nomadic gastronomy brand, the cuisine of steppe culture, based on natural meat and dairy products. In October 2025, another Kazakh delicacy entered the U.S. market when Tary Coffee, a cafe aimed at introducing visitors to Kazakh cuisine and traditional products, began operating in Chicago. One of the products featured on the menu is talkan, which is made from roasted and ground grains. In addition to talkan, the cafe’s menu features traditional Kazakh foods such as millet, nawut (crystallised sugar), alongside various grain-based ingredients. According to Aitmukhamed Aldazharov, General Director of QazTrade, traditional Kazakh foods meet the world's growing demand for functional foods and superfoods. Kurt is a source of valuable microelements, while tary and talkan are becoming increasingly recognised by foreign buyers during trade missions and international exhibitions. “Traditional steppe food sells well and is in demand through networks of Kazakh restaurants and cafes abroad. For example, the famous cappuccino with tary, a kind of 'ground steppe coffee,' has already entered the U.S. market," he said.

Freight Industry

Kazakhstan Proposes Creating a Digital Platform Within the EAEU to Coordinate Freight

Kazakhstan has proposed the creation of a unified digital platform for coordinating cargo flows within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov presented the proposal at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Shymkent. The proposal involves developing an integrated system based on AI that will improve the efficiency of logistics processes across the union. Currently, the EAEU comprises five countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Moldova, Uzbekistan, Cuba, and Iran hold observer status. According to Bektenov, the creation of a unified AI-based platform will reduce cargo delivery times and lower business costs. “In order to fully realize the transit and transport potential of the Union’s member states, it is proposed to create an integrated platform for coordinating cargo flows based on artificial intelligence,” he noted. Kazakhstan is paying particular attention to the digitization of control procedures. In particular, it is proposed to fully transition veterinary and phytosanitary controls to an electronic format. This involves moving away from paper documents and implementing data exchange mechanisms both within the EAEU and with third countries. Kazakhstan is a regional leader in terms of readiness for AI implementation. Further initiatives include the creation of an artificial intelligence fund and an international computing hub.

Security

Global Terrorism Index: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan Show Zero Risk of Terrorism

The countries of Central Asia are among those least affected by terrorism globally, according to the newly published Global Terrorism Index 2026 report. However, the report suggests that the region’s stability is increasingly influenced by external factors, particularly its proximity to Afghanistan. Country scores are a composite measure made up of four indicators: incidents, fatalities, injuries and hostages. To measure the impact of terrorism, a five-year weighted average is applied. The main concentrations of terrorist activity remain in Africa and South Asia. The overall level of terrorism worldwide declined in 2025, although the nature of the threats became more complex and less predictable. The report indicates that no terrorist incidents were recorded in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, or Turkmenistan, who all scored 0 for terrorism risk, placing them all joint 163rd out of the 163 nations researched. Uzbekistan (95th) remains in the minimal-risk category. Tajikistan is the only country in the region with a higher threat level, ranking 41st globally. Central Asia’s relative stability is attributed to several factors, including robust security measures, the absence of active armed conflicts, and the limited presence of international terrorist organisations. Despite relative internal stability, risks to Central Asia are increasingly emerging from outside the region. The report highlights growing activity by extremist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as worsening relations between the two countries, which could potentially escalate into open conflict by 2026. Particular concern is focused on the Tajik-Afghan border, where structural vulnerabilities persist. In addition to external pressures, experts are drawing attention to internal dynamics. The report notes an acceleration of radicalisation, particularly among young people, with digital platforms and online content playing a significant role.

Fencing

World’s Top Fencers Compete in Astana and Tashkent

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are hosting World Cup fencing competitions this week, reflecting the growth of the sport in Central Asia. Top fencers from around the world have gathered in the Kazakhstani capital of Astana for the men’s and women’s epee competition, which started on Thursday and runs until Sunday. The two-day women’s saber contest in Tashkent, Uzbekistan began on Friday. A third World Cup, in men’s saber, is currently underway in Budapest, Hungary. In total, more than 800 elite fencers are participating in the three events, according to the International Fencing Federation. The federation says second-ranked Giulia Rizzi of Italy and sixth-ranked Hungarian Eszter Muhari are the fencers “to watch” on the women’s side in Astana, while on the men’s side, tenth-ranked Tristen Tulen of the Netherlands has had a breakout year. In Tashkent, two-time world champion Misaki Emura of Japan is a favorite. Still, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are establishing their presence in international fencing, winning medals in high-level competitions. Last year, the men’s epee team of Kazakhstan won bronze at the World Fencing Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, beating France for the medal. The Uzbek competition will be hosted in the state-of-the-art Olympic City, the largest sports complex in Central Asia, and the designated hub for the 4th Asian Youth Games in 2029. One of Uzbekistan’s top women is Zaynab Dayibekova, who competed in the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris and is currently ranked 29th in the world. She was part of the women's saber team from Uzbekistan that won gold at the 2023 Asian Games, defeating host China in the semifinal and then Japan in the final. Speaking at the opening ceremony in Tashkent, Otabek Umarov, First Deputy Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and Vice-President of the Olympic Council of Asia, said: “We are delighted to welcome the world’s best senior female fencers to Tashkent to experience Uzbekistan’s renowned hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and world-class sports facilities. We are grateful to our friends at the International Fencing Federation for their trust in our ability to host a spectacular event."