Kazakhstan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Trade and Logistics

Kazakhstan Proposes Kenyan Trade Hub to Access Eurasian Markets

Kazakhstan has proposed establishing a Kenyan trade and logistics hub on its territory to facilitate the export of Kenyan goods to Eurasian markets, as Astana seeks to position itself as a key transit link between Asia, Europe, and Africa. The initiative was announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan during the Kazakhstan-Kenya Business Forum, held as part of Kenya’s President William Ruto’s state visit to Astana. “We are committed to opening a Kenyan trade hub in Kazakhstan that will provide your businesses with direct access to the entire Eurasian region,” Tokayev told representatives of the Kenyan business community. Kazakhstan hopes to expand exports of grain and other agricultural products to Africa, while Kenya could increase supplies of tea, coffee, and flowers to Central Asian and broader Eurasian markets. Astana is also promoting itself as an important part of international transport corridors. According to Tokayev, approximately 85% of overland transit traffic between China and Europe passes through Kazakhstan. The country is actively developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, commonly known as the Middle Corridor, which is increasingly viewed as an alternative to traditional transit routes through Russia. Tokayev proposed integrating the Middle Corridor with East African maritime routes by using the potential of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Kazakhstan specifically expressed interest in cooperation with the ports of Mombasa and Lamu, which are regarded as the region’s largest logistics hubs. “It is necessary to connect the Middle Corridor with Africa’s vital maritime arteries,” Tokayev said. The two sides also discussed the development of direct cargo air links between Kazakhstan and Kenya, as well as the possibility of launching direct passenger flights between Astana and Nairobi in the future. Beyond logistics, Kazakhstan and Kenya plan to expand cooperation in the extraction of rare earth metals and critical minerals, resources in growing global demand amid the energy transition and the expansion of digital technologies. During the forum, Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, and Kenya’s National Mining Corporation signed an agreement on joint geological exploration and subsoil development projects in Kenya. Tokayev also proposed establishing a Kazakhstan-Kenya Business Council and a specialized expert group focused on transport and logistics infrastructure development. According to the president, these steps should accelerate the creation of an intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. Ruto said Nairobi was interested in creating a “new economic bridge” between Central Asia and Africa. “The logistics ports of Mombasa and Lamu will be available to companies from Kazakhstan interested in entering East African markets,” Ruto said. The visit comes as Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its trade routes and expand economic ties with countries of the Global South. Earlier, authorities in Kazakhstan announced plans to expand the country’s maritime fleet on the Caspian Sea to increase the capacity of the Middle Corridor.

World Table Tennis Championships

Astana to Host 2027 World Table Tennis Championships

The ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Astana 2027 will take place in Kazakhstan’s capital from May 22 to May 30, 2027, becoming the first world table tennis championship ever held in Central Asia. The tournament was officially presented at the ADD Table Tennis Center Astana. According to Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports Serik Zharasbayev, the country will host seven international Olympic sports tournaments in 2027, with the World Table Tennis Championships expected to become one of the year’s largest sporting events. Representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to participate. The main venue will be Barys Arena, which has a capacity of approximately 8,000 spectators. Additional matches will be hosted at the Qazaqstan Athletics Sports Complex, which can accommodate around 6,800 people. “Our capital was selected to host the World Championships for several reasons, one of the main ones being the availability of major sports facilities that fully meet international requirements,” Zharasbayev told journalists during a briefing. According to the vice minister, a technical delegation from the International Table Tennis Federation has already inspected the venues and gave the tournament infrastructure high marks. “The entire infrastructure is being evaluated from the airport to the sports facilities. At this point, Kazakhstan, and Astana in particular, possess all the necessary resources to host competitions of this level,” he said. Zharasbayev also noted that table tennis remains one of the fastest-growing sports in Kazakhstan. Organizers expect approximately 1,000 athletes to take part in the championships. The tournament will also serve as one of the key ranking qualification stages for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Medals will be awarded in five categories: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Asiya Ilyasova, the tournament’s marketing and commercial director, said organizers are hopeful for a strong performance by Kazakhstan’s national team. “We have a strong national team that has consistently delivered high-level results in recent years. For example, Kirill Gerassimenko and Alan Kurmangaliyev are ranked among the world’s top 30 players. They will represent Kazakhstan at the World Championships, and we have high expectations for them,” Ilyasova said. According to organizers, Astana is expected to welcome large numbers of foreign visitors, including fans and official delegations, particularly from Southeast Asian countries where table tennis enjoys enormous popularity. In the coming months, organizers plan to launch competitions among souvenir manufacturers to create products featuring Kazakh national motifs, as well as contests for fashion designers to develop uniforms for volunteers, staff, and official tournament merchandise. An open competition will also be announced to design the official mascot of the championships. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Astana will also host the 2026 Future Games, an international tournament combining traditional sports and esports disciplines.

Opinion: How AI Is Reshaping the Global Image of Nations

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful geopolitical and economic forces in the world. It is changing how countries compete, build influence, and attract investment. Until recently, discussions about Central Asia’s economic development were dominated by infrastructure, energy, logistics, and natural resources. Today, a new layer of competition is emerging: digital influence shaped by AI systems. According to McKinsey, AI could contribute up to $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030. For Central Asia and Kazakhstan, AI development is no longer just a digital transformation agenda; it is directly tied to technological sovereignty, economic resilience, and long-term competitiveness. Who Shapes a Country’s Image in the Age of AI? Digital influence is increasingly determined by how artificial intelligence systems interpret and represent countries. Consider a Singaporean investor asking Gemini about emerging technology markets in Central Asia. A European procurement manager using ChatGPT to identify logistics partners in the region. A journalist turning to Perplexity for insights on Kazakhstan’s fintech ecosystem before writing a report. In each case, AI generates answers based on the data it has been trained on and can access. This creates a new geopolitical reality: those who shape data and content structure ultimately shape how countries are represented globally. Generative AI is already used at a massive scale, with ChatGPT surpassing 900 million weekly active users as of early 2026. As these systems become default information interfaces, the visibility of countries within AI-generated responses is becoming increasingly important. When high-quality, structured, and authoritative content is missing, AI systems rely on outdated information, fragmented sources, and external narratives. In practice, this means that a lack of structured digital presence can directly influence international perception. How Other Countries Are Responding Several countries have already recognized this shift and are actively responding. According to Axios, Israel paid Brad Parscale’s firm $9 million as part of a campaign aimed at shaping how AI platforms portray the country. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in AI infrastructure and Arabic-language models, including Gulf-backed data centers, sovereign AI initiatives, and Arabic-first large language models. These efforts go beyond technology development. They represent a broader competition for influence in an information environment where AI-generated responses increasingly shape global understanding. AI Momentum in Kazakhstan In 2025, Kazakhstan was listed among the region’s strongest performers in the Government AI Readiness Index published by Oxford Insights. Kazakh officials cited a ranking of 60th out of 195 countries, while Oxford Insights published a regional report that placed Kazakhstan 58th globally. In either case, it was the highest-ranked of the five Central Asian states and represented a sharp improvement from the previous year. Over the past two years, Kazakhstan has demonstrated rapid progress in artificial intelligence. Venture investment in AI has increased more than fivefold, from $14 million to $73 million. IT service exports surpassed $1 billion in 2025, with later ministry figures putting the total at about $1.14 billion. The Kazakh-linked AI startup Higgsfield AI has also been widely described as Kazakhstan’s...

Art and Culture

Japanese Spring Festival Celebrates Central Asia Through Manga

A new cultural bridge between Japan and Kazakhstan was celebrated at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where internationally acclaimed Japanese manga artist Kaoru Mori opened her exhibition, Central Asian Cuisine, as part of the international “Japanese Spring” arts festival. The project was organized by the Degdar Humanitarian Foundation with the support of JTI Kazakhstan. The exhibition introduces visitors to the culinary traditions and cultural heritage of the five Central Asian countries through the visual storytelling style of Japanese manga. The Central Asian Cuisine manga project was originally created to mark the 10th anniversary of the “Japan + Central Asia” dialogue, established in 2004 between the Government of Japan and the five Central Asian nations. According to Akmaral Ibrayeva, deputy director of the National Museum, the exhibition is one of the most distinctive cultural projects combining culinary art with national customs and traditions, while also reflecting the unique aesthetics of each country. [caption id="attachment_49172" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Photo: National Museum of Kazakhstan[/caption] Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yasumasa Iijima, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Kazakhstan, emphasized that the “Japanese Spring” festival represents “diplomacy through art,” strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between nations. The ambassador also noted that this is the second exhibition in Astana featuring Kaoru Mori’s manga works at the National Museum. “Manga is read throughout Japan from schoolchildren to the Prime Minister,” the ambassador said. “It has become one of the symbols of modern Japanese culture, and today this genre has conquered the world.” The manga tells the story of young women from the countries participating in the dialogue who introduce their Japanese friend to their national cuisines and traditional dishes. Through vivid illustrations and detailed depictions of cooking methods, the manga serves not only as an artistic work but also as a culinary guide to Central Asian food culture. According to Timur Kurmanchiyev, artistic director of the festival, a renowned musician and Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, the “Japanese Spring” festivals have become the largest and longest-running events dedicated to Japanese culture in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia. [caption id="attachment_49173" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Photo: National Museum of Kazakhstan[/caption] Guests attending the opening ceremony also enjoyed performances featuring traditional dance and choral music, adding a festive atmosphere to the exhibition. The exhibition highlights how art, cuisine, and cultural dialogue can bring nations closer together, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore Central Asian traditions through the lens of Japanese manga artistry.

Air Taxi

Air Taxi Service in Kazakhstan Unlikely to Launch Commercially Before 2029

An air taxi service being developed in Kazakhstan’s Almaty Region is unlikely to begin full commercial operations before 2029, Almaty Region Governor Marat Sultangaziev said during test flights of the new transport system in Alatau, a newly established “city of the future” near Almaty. On May 19, Alatau hosted Central Asia’s first public launch of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, marking the debut of air taxi technology in the region. Developers say the electric air taxi is expected to help reduce traffic congestion, connect tourist destinations, and shorten travel times. The aircraft can reach speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour and travel distances of up to 200 kilometers on a single charge. Equipped with 13 electric motors, the air taxi is designed to carry one pilot and five passengers. In accordance with safety requirements, the first demonstration flight was conducted without passengers, the press service of the Almaty regional administration reported. Almaty Region Governor Marat Sultangaziev, who attended the launch event, described the initiative as strategically important for Kazakhstan’s transport sector. At the same time, he said the project would require infrastructure development and a comprehensive legal framework before commercial operations could begin. “Project initiators are now working on that process, and we will support them where necessary. They plan to transition from test operations to industrial-scale implementation around 2029. This initiative fully aligns with the concept of developing Alatau as a center for innovation and digitalization,” Sultangaziev said. Alisher Abdykadyrov, CEO of the Alatau City Authority state fund, said specially equipped vertiports would be used for eVTOL takeoffs and landings. The facilities would include charging and navigation systems and could be integrated into urban environments, including rooftops, transport hubs, and business districts. Construction of the first vertiport in Alatau has already begun, Abdykadyrov said, with additional facilities planned for Almaty and tourist destinations across the Almaty Region. The future network is expected to connect key transport hubs throughout the region. “Today we are witnessing a historic moment for Kazakhstan,” Abdykadyrov said. “This is not simply a demonstration of a new technology, but the beginning of a new phase in the city’s development based on innovation and digital technologies. Alatau is envisioned as a city of the future, which makes it especially symbolic that the development of air mobility and a new industry begins here.” “Our goal is not only to introduce the technology itself, but to build a complete ecosystem around it, creating infrastructure, developing engineering expertise, and generating new jobs,” he added. Regarding the legal regulation of the new mode of transport, Daniyar Uteulin, project manager at Alatau Advanced Air Group (AAAG), said the first package of regulatory proposals has already been prepared and submitted to the government for consideration. According to Uteulin, the draft regulations are based on the experience of countries where urban air mobility technologies are already developing rapidly, including the United States, China, South Korea, and several Middle Eastern countries. Kazakhstan is expected to designate a separate flight corridor...

Foreign Trade

Kazakhstan’s Exports Rise Nearly 10% in First Quarter of 2026

Kazakhstan increased its foreign trade turnover to $32.9 billion during the first quarter of 2026, while exports rose by nearly 10% year-on-year, according to the country’s Ministry of Trade and Integration. The ministry stated that Kazakhstan completed the January-March period with a “confident strengthening” of its foreign trade position. Amid continued strong business activity and expanding export potential, total trade turnover reached $32.9 billion, an increase of 10.5% compared to the same period in 2025, when the figure stood at $29.8 billion. “The dynamics confirm the resilience of the country’s foreign economic sector and the gradual strengthening of higher value-added products in the structure of Kazakhstan’s exports,” the ministry said. Total exports for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 9.4% to $18 billion, while imports increased by 11.8% to $14.9 billion compared to the same period last year. According to the ministry, the faster growth in imports was primarily driven by increased purchases of investment and technological goods needed for the modernization of Kazakhstan’s industrial, energy and transport infrastructure. Among the most notable increases was the import of electric generating units, which rose to $416.8 million, more than five times the previous level. Imports of gas turbines and aircraft engines, railway locomotives, and equipment for processing and sorting raw materials also increased significantly. “This structure of imports indicates sustained high investment demand within the economy and the active implementation of infrastructure and industrial projects,” the ministry said. Officials also highlighted the performance of Kazakhstan’s non-commodity trade sector. Foreign trade turnover in non-resource goods reached $20.4 billion during the first quarter of 2026, up 13.5% year-on-year. Non-commodity exports rose by 23.4% to $6.9 billion, becoming one of the main drivers of changes in Kazakhstan’s foreign trade structure. The main non-resource exports included copper and copper cathodes, silver, uranium, ferroalloys, animal feed products, and sunflower oil. Exports of sunflower oil increased by nearly 60% to $277.8 million, reflecting what the ministry described as the growing competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s processed agricultural products. Ferroalloy exports rose by 20.1%, pointing to continued growth in the metallurgical sector and wider export markets for domestically manufactured industrial goods. “Kazakhstan’s foreign trade geography remains steadily diversified,” the ministry stated. “China became the country’s largest trading partner in the first quarter, with trade turnover reaching $7.8 billion and accounting for 23.8% of total foreign trade.” Russia retained second place with bilateral trade totaling $6.5 billion, remaining Kazakhstan’s key market for imports and industrial cooperation. Italy, Turkey, and Uzbekistan also ranked among Kazakhstan’s largest trading partners. The ministry also noted Kazakhstan’s export position in Europe. Trade turnover with Italy exceeded $3.4 billion during the first quarter, with Kazakh exports accounting for more than $3 billion of that total. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan aims to increase non-commodity exports to $52 billion by 2030.