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

Monetary Policy

Kazakhstan Central Bank Chief Sees No Pressure on Tenge After Rate Cut

Kazakhstan’s central bank governor has sought to calm concerns over the tenge after the National Bank cut its base rate for the first time since October 2025, saying demand for local-currency assets should remain stable despite lower returns. The National Bank of Kazakhstan lowered its base rate to 17% from 18% on June 5, citing slowing inflation and an improved economic outlook. The decision was based on updated assessments of inflation risks and key macroeconomic indicators, the bank said. Annual inflation slowed to 10.4% in May from a peak of 12.9% recorded in September last year. The central bank also raised its oil price assumption for the remainder of 2026 to $90 per barrel for Brent crude. National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov said the rate cut would lower returns on tenge-denominated deposits but would not trigger a significant shift into foreign-currency assets. “Interest rates on tenge deposits remain substantially higher than returns on foreign-currency deposits,” Suleimenov told reporters. “A one-percentage-point reduction will not fundamentally change the attractiveness of deposits or other tenge-denominated assets such as corporate bonds and government securities.” Suleimenov said demand for local-currency assets is expected to remain stable, limiting pressure on the exchange rate. He acknowledged that the tenge could face seasonal pressure during the summer because of increased demand for foreign currency linked to overseas travel and dividend payments by Kazakhstani companies listed on international exchanges. However, he said Kazakhstan’s economic fundamentals remain supportive of the national currency. “Oil prices are rising, while metal prices have increased by an average of around 17%, with some commodities gaining as much as 40%,” Suleimenov said. “If there are no major external shocks, I see no reason for any significant weakening of the tenge.” The central bank also revised its inflation forecast for 2026 downward to a range of 9%-11%, compared with a previous estimate of 9.5%-11.5%. Its inflation forecast for 2027 remains unchanged at 5.5%-7.5%. Suleimenov said the bank expects inflation to approach its long-term target of 5% by 2028 as external inflationary pressures ease and government and central bank measures take effect. “The slowdown in inflation during April and May gave us room to lower the base rate,” he said. “But it would be premature to say inflation has been defeated. Future decisions will depend on incoming data and our assessment of risks.” The official exchange rate stood at 487.4 tenge per U.S. dollar on June 7. The outlook remains cautious. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, S&P Global Ratings forecast that the tenge would average around 540 per dollar in 2026, reflecting expectations of a weaker currency over the medium term.

12 minutes ago

Middle Corridor

Kazakhstan Eyes Cyprus as Middle Corridor Link to Mediterranean

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has invited Cyprus to participate in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, seeking to strengthen trade links between Central Asia and the Mediterranean through one of Eurasia’s fastest-growing trade routes. The proposal was made during talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who paid an official visit to Kazakhstan. The TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor, connects China and Europe through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Turkey. The route is approximately 3,000 kilometers shorter than the traditional northern route through Russia and currently allows cargo to travel from China to Europe in 10 to 15 days, compared with roughly twice that time via the northern corridor and up to 60 days by sea. “Cyprus is a world-class maritime hub, and the Middle Corridor creates significant opportunities to effectively connect Kazakhstan’s land transport infrastructure with Cyprus’s maritime infrastructure,” Tokayev said during a joint press briefing following the talks. According to Tokayev, such cooperation could help establish a new multimodal logistics network linking Central Asia, the Caspian region, and the Mediterranean while supporting growth in bilateral trade. The two leaders discussed expanding trade and investment ties, as well as strengthening business cooperation between the two countries. Tokayev said he had proposed developing a roadmap for bilateral economic cooperation and establishing an intergovernmental commission and business council to facilitate joint projects and increase commercial exchanges. He identified logistics, finance, tourism, and digital technologies as key areas for future cooperation, adding that Cyprus has expressed interest in Kazakhstan’s e-government platform and digital public services. Kazakhstan, he said, is ready to share its experience in those areas. More than 400 companies with Cypriot capital currently operate in Kazakhstan, including around 30 registered with the Astana International Financial Centre, according to Tokayev. Kazakhstan is prepared to create favorable conditions for Cypriot businesses interested in entering its market, he added. Speaking at a Kazakhstan-Cyprus business forum following the presidential talks, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said Cyprus had invested more than $5 billion in Kazakhstan since 2005, with nearly half of that amount invested during the past five years. Bektenov said both countries occupy strategic positions along trade routes linking Europe and Asia. He suggested Cyprus could serve as a regional logistics hub in the eastern Mediterranean, complementing Kazakhstan’s role as a transit gateway between China and Europe. He also highlighted new direct flights between Astana and Larnaca, which began on June 2, and Almaty and Larnaca, which began on June 4, saying the routes would improve passenger travel and cargo links. The visit also carries a wider diplomatic context as it coincided with the inauguration of Cyprus’s embassy in Astana, its first in Central Asia, and comes amid continued sensitivity in Turkey over the Cyprus issue. Ankara has denied reports that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan canceled a planned visit to Kazakhstan because of Christodoulides’ trip. The episode follows Tokayev’s recent effort to describe the Organization of Turkic States as a forum for cooperation rather than a military alliance,...

4 days ago

Data Centers

Financial Analyst Says Kazakhstan’s State Data Centers Are Priced Beyond Reach of Businesses

The cost of services offered by state-backed data centers in Kazakhstan is too high for many businesses, making overseas cloud providers a more economical alternative, financial analyst Rasul Rysmambetov said. His comments come as Kazakhstan invests heavily in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence technologies. Last year, the country launched what authorities described as Central Asia’s most powerful supercomputer, saying its capacity would be made available to startups, universities, and private companies developing AI solutions. The government has also announced plans to create a Data Center Valley in the northeastern Pavlodar Region to support the digitalization of the economy. However, Rysmambetov argued that the pricing of state-supported data centers limits their appeal to the private sector. “A real digital economy is built on microservices, not giant buildings filled with computers,” Rysmambetov told the Atameken Business Forum. “Data centers depreciate at a tremendous pace. Today, state data centers in Kazakhstan charge prices so high that, as a financier, it is far cheaper and easier for me to buy cloud capacity directly in California.” Rysmambetov said that despite economic growth and rising foreign investment, many Kazakhstanis have yet to see significant improvements in living standards. In his view, the key challenge is not attracting investment but converting it into jobs and productive industries. He also argued that traditional investment incentives are losing effectiveness. “Tax breaks, subsidies, and state support measures no longer create a competitive advantage. Instead, they often generate a dangerous environment for corruption,” he said. “What matters today is the quality of institutions and the speed of decision-making.” According to Rysmambetov, Kazakhstan’s investor support system remains fragmented, with multiple agencies performing overlapping functions while coordination between central and regional authorities remains weak. As a result, some government directives are not implemented locally, requiring intervention by prosecutors to protect investors’ rights. Rysmambetov identified rare earth metals and tungsten as among the sectors attracting the greatest investor interest. However, he warned that Kazakhstan risks repeating the resource-dependent model that characterized its oil industry if it focuses primarily on exporting raw materials rather than developing domestic processing industries. “Foreign investors do not create growth, they join it,” he said. “Investors see a functioning economic model, recognize an opportunity, and participate in it. But if we ourselves do not believe in our development strategy, nobody from outside will come.” Kazakhstan aims to attract $62.7 billion in investment this year, including $25.5 billion from foreign investors, as part of its economic development strategy.

4 days ago

Law and Order

Tokayev Criticizes Lawmakers Over “Penaltystan” Label for Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has criticized lawmakers who have referred to Kazakhstan as “Penaltystan,” or “Aiyppulstan” in Kazakh, over what critics describe as the state’s excessive reliance on fines and administrative penalties. Speaking at a meeting on the development of Alatau City, Kazakhstan’s planned smart city near Almaty, Tokayev argued that maintaining public order and security is essential at a time of growing international instability and military conflicts around the world. “In today’s turbulent environment, amid military conflicts around the world, peace and stability are vital for our country,” Tokayev said. “Without them, there can be no reforms or positive changes. Therefore, law-enforcement agencies must apply strict measures and penalties for violations.” The president then took aim at critics of the government’s law-and-order policies. “Some individuals who dislike and hold our country in contempt, and unfortunately there are members of parliament among them, call our legal measures ‘Penaltystan’ or ‘Aiyppulstan,’” Tokayev said. “Let them continue to demonstrate the limitations of their judgment. Our people need public order and security. We will not deviate from this path and will continue to pursue the policy of ‘Law and Order’ with determination. This is what our citizens demand.” The term “Penaltystan” is widely associated with Azat Peruashev, a member of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan’s parliament, and leader of the Ak Zhol faction. Peruashev used the phrase in 2024 during debates over amendments to Kazakhstan’s Administrative Offenses Code. At the time, he criticized what he described as disproportionately high penalties imposed on businesses for relatively minor violations. “I am ashamed of you, gentlemen officials,” Peruashev said at the time. “Leave your comfortable offices at least once and put yourselves in the position of an entrepreneur or even a consumer. You are building some kind of ‘Penaltystan.’ The Ak Zhol faction wants to build a normal and balanced market economy.” Earlier this year, Peruashev acknowledged that he had used an unfortunate term. Following Tokayev’s remarks, he again distanced himself from the expression, saying his characterization had been incorrect. The exchange comes during a period of political change in Kazakhstan. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, voters approved constitutional reforms in March that will replace the current bicameral parliament with a single-chamber Kurultai. Elections to the new body are scheduled for August. Tokayev’s comments underline a continuing debate in Kazakhstan over law-and-order enforcement, and whether heavy administrative penalties place an undue burden on citizens and entrepreneurs.

5 days ago

Alatau City

Tokayev Calls for Greater Role for Kazakhstani Businesses in Alatau City Development

Kazakhstani entrepreneurs must become full participants in the development of Alatau City, the country’s flagship smart city project, alongside foreign investors, Kazakhstan’s president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said. He made the remarks during a meeting on the future of what is envisioned as Kazakhstan’s first fully digital city. In 2024, Tokayev signed a decree granting city status to Zhetygen village, located approximately 50 kilometers from Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. Alatau City incorporates Zhetygen as well as the settlements of Enbek, Zhanaarna, and Kuigan, along with parts of Konaev and Talgar district in Almaty Region. The project is designed as a smart city comprising four distinct zones: the Gate District, a financial and business center; the Golden District, focused on education and healthcare; the Growing District, dedicated to industrial and logistics facilities; and the Green District, intended for recreation and entertainment. Speaking at the June 2 meeting in Almaty, Tokayev said more than 50 investment projects had already been identified for Alatau City, with a combined value of approximately $4 billion and the potential to create more than 50,000 jobs. He called for the portfolio to be expanded in the next one or two years by attracting investors to priority sectors. Domestic businesses, he said, must become “full participants in the city’s development rather than mere observers.” Tokayev cited Shenzhen and special legal regimes in Hainan, Dubai, and Singapore as examples of places where governments played an early role by building core infrastructure. That approach, he added, reduces risks for businesses, creates predictable conditions for private capital, and can generate a cycle in which public infrastructure investment attracts private capital and future tax revenues. The president warned that shifting the burden of initial infrastructure investment to the private sector can reduce a project’s appeal and lead to monopolistic structures with excessive tariffs. He instructed the government to ensure stable financing for Alatau City’s core infrastructure during the initial stage and said the city could be given additional borrowing limits and authority to undertake government borrowing until it develops a sustainable revenue base. Budget funds, he said, must be used strictly for investment purposes and linked to the city’s long-term development. Tokayev directed investment toward priority sectors including information technology, industry, transport and logistics, tourism, healthcare, and education. To create a favorable investment climate, he instructed officials to follow international standards, especially in areas where national regulations lag behind global practice. He identified Alatau City as a strategic platform for the rapid development of digital assets and a new financial architecture for Kazakhstan. Additionally, he called for the quick removal of excessive barriers in the sector and the introduction of new financial instruments. These would include a clear legal status for digital assets, recognition of crypto assets as property, and the use of the digital tenge within the new system. Tokayev also proposed a zero tax rate on digital asset transactions and capital gains generated within the jurisdiction, as well as faster work to tokenize real-sector assets, including real estate, infrastructure projects, and natural...

5 days ago

Brain Institute

Kazakhstan Opens Central Asia’s First Brain Research Institute

Kazakhstan has opened Central Asia’s first specialized Brain Institute, a new research and education center focused on neuroscience, brain health, and artificial intelligence-assisted medical research, officials said. The institute was launched at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) in Almaty and is the first facility of its kind in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region. The center builds on KazNU’s Cognitive Neuroscience Center, established in 2018, and is intended to expand research into brain development, neurological disorders, cognition, and multilingualism, while training a new generation of neuroscience specialists. Research at the institute will use advanced equipment, including a 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner, high-density electroencephalography systems, functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology, and AI and big data analytics tools. Led by Professor Almira Kustubayeva, the institute brings together laboratories specializing in cognitive, behavioral, and computational neuroscience, as well as neurolinguistics. Its research areas will include brain development, neurodegenerative diseases, decision-making, emotional regulation, and the neurological aspects of multilingualism. Scientists at the institute also plan to develop new diagnostic and predictive biomarkers that could improve the detection and treatment of neurological and cognitive disorders. The opening coincided with the 80th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and is part of the government’s push to develop the country’s scientific and technological capacity. Speaking at the launch ceremony, KazNU rector Zhanseit Tuimebayev said the development of science and innovation had been identified as a national priority by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. NAS president Akylbek Kurishbayev described the project as an example of cooperation between academic and scientific institutions aimed at developing Kazakhstan’s research base. Kazakhstan has increased investment in scientific research and medical innovation in recent years. Earlier this year, researchers at the Kazakh Research Institute of Processing and Food Industry announced work on an antioxidant dietary supplement intended to help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. Last year, surgeons from Kazakhstan carried out Uzbekistan’s first robot-assisted joint replacement procedures using the MAKO robotic surgical platform. President Tokayev has also announced plans to establish two science cities in Almaty and Kurchatov as part of efforts to develop nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, and advanced scientific research.

6 days ago

agricultural exports

Kazakhstan’s Agricultural Exports to Iran Nearly Double in 2025

Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports to Iran nearly doubled in 2025, driven by a sharp increase in grain shipments, Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said during talks with Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Seyyed Mohammad Atabak. According to Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry, agricultural trade between the two countries rose 55.8% year-on-year to $342 million in 2025, accounting for 79% of total bilateral trade. Exports of Kazakhstan's agricultural products increased 97% to $238.5 million. Grain exports more than doubled to 1.1 million metric tons, valued at $225.3 million, Saparov said. “Kazakhstan attaches special importance to expanding cooperation with Iran in the agricultural sector. Our markets complement each other, as demonstrated by the steady growth in bilateral agricultural trade,” he said. The ministers discussed prospects for expanding trade in agricultural products, investment cooperation, and the development of joint projects in the agro-industrial sector. Particular attention was given to increasing Kazakhstan's exports of grain, beef, and lamb that meet international veterinary and halal standards. The two sides also highlighted the potential for expanding supplies of vegetable oils and other food products to the Iranian market. Atabak said Iran was interested in expanding economic ties with Kazakhstan, including through increased agricultural trade, improved transport links, and joint processing projects. “Kazakhstan is an important partner for Iran in the region. We are interested in increasing bilateral trade, expanding agricultural supplies, developing logistics routes, and implementing joint projects in processing and agro-industrial cooperation,” he said. Saparov also invited Iranian investors to participate in projects involving agricultural production and value-added processing, including grain and oilseed processing facilities. The growth in agricultural trade comes despite disruptions to some bilateral projects earlier this year. In April, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov said several joint projects with Iran had been suspended because of military hostilities there. Trade ties have nevertheless continued to expand. In May, Kazakhstan's vegetable oil producers launched pilot shipments of rapeseed and sunflower oil to Iran via the Caspian Sea, opening a new export route for the sector. Kazakhstan and Iran have set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $1 billion in the coming years, with plans to double that figure over the longer term, following agreements reached during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Astana last year.

6 days ago

KazZinc

Kazakhstan Says Violation of Production Procedures Preliminary Cause of Deadly Kazzinc Blast

A fatal explosion at a Kazzinc plant in eastern Kazakhstan was preliminarily caused by a violation of technological procedures, Emergency Situations Minister Chingis Arinov said on Monday, as authorities continue to investigate the incident that killed three workers. The blast occurred on May 5 at a processing workshop in Ust-Kamenogorsk, where a dust-collection unit exploded, triggering a fire and the partial collapse of the facility. Two employees were killed at the scene, while a third later died in hospital from injuries sustained in the accident. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov placed the investigation under his personal supervision following the incident. “The preliminary cause of the explosion at the Kazzinc plant was a violation of the technological process,” Arinov told a government meeting. He said previous inspections had identified multiple industrial safety violations at the facility, including discrepancies in technical documentation, missing assessments required to extend the service life of equipment, deviations from approved engineering designs, weak production controls, and delays in replacing worn-out machinery. Arinov said the investigation remains ongoing and that several expert examinations have been commissioned. A decision on any company liability will be made once the review is completed. The minister also outlined preliminary findings from a separate fatal accident at the Artemyevskaya mine, operated by Vostoktsvetmet, a subsidiary of KAZ Minerals. A rockfall at the mine on May 30 killed one worker. According to Arinov, investigators believe the accident was linked to mining operations conducted in violation of project documentation and inadequate worksite management. Speaking at the same meeting, Labor and Social Protection Minister Askarbek Yertayev said the authorities had recorded 39 cases this year in which employers allegedly concealed workplace injuries. The highest number of cases was reported in the services sector, with 18 incidents, followed by manufacturing and construction, with five cases each. Regionally, the largest numbers were recorded in Atyrau Region, Astana, and Akmola Region, he said. Yertayev said the practice allows employers to avoid liability while depriving injured workers of compensation and social benefits. According to government data, about 479,000 people in Kazakhstan currently work in hazardous or harmful conditions. The industrial sector accounts for 295,000 of those workers, including 173,000 in mining and 122,000 in manufacturing. The largest concentrations of workers employed in hazardous conditions are in Karaganda Region, followed by Pavlodar, Mangystau, and East Kazakhstan regions. The figures add to wider concerns over enforcement in Kazakhstan’s heavy industries, where aging equipment, subcontracting chains, and pressure to maintain production can make safety oversight difficult. Kazakhstan has faced increased scrutiny over industrial safety standards following a series of deadly accidents in the mining and metals sectors. Last year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered a nationwide review of industrial facilities to assess compliance with safety regulations.

6 days ago

Pharmaceuticals

Investment in Kazakhstan’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing More Than Triples in Three Years

Investment in Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing sector reached $142.8 million in 2025, more than three times the level recorded in 2023, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. At a recent ministry board meeting, First Vice Minister of Healthcare Timur Sultangaziyev said Kazakhstan continues to show strong growth in attracting investment into pharmaceutical production. According to Sultangaziyev, gross investment inflows into the sector totaled $46.9 million in 2023 before nearly doubling to $91.3 million in 2024. Growth continued in 2025, with investment reaching $142.8 million. “These investments are being directed toward the modernization of production facilities, capacity expansion, and the localization of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing,” Sultangaziyev said. “This reflects growing investor confidence in Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical industry and demonstrates the effectiveness of government support measures.” The expansion of domestic production has gradually increased the market share of locally manufactured products. In value terms, domestic pharmaceutical and medical device producers accounted for 14.4% of Kazakhstan’s market in 2023, 15.1% in 2024, and 15% in 2025. The Ministry of Health noted that the introduction of a nationwide pharmaceutical labeling and traceability system in July 2024 has provided a clearer picture of market activity. According to ministry data, domestic manufacturers account for 39.8% of the market by volume, indicating a significant presence of local companies in terms of units sold. In 2025, products manufactured in Kazakhstan represented 32% of purchases made by the country’s state-run Unified Distributor, a figure that officials say reflects the growth of local production and strengthens the country’s pharmaceutical security. The ministry said efforts to increase the share of domestically produced medicines and medical devices will continue under Kazakhstan’s Healthcare Development Concept through 2029, alongside broader measures aimed at ensuring reliable access to pharmaceuticals. The government also recently approved an agreement between the Ministry of Health and Steppe Pharmaceuticals to build a full-cycle biopharmaceutical manufacturing complex in the Alatau Special Economic Zone in the Almaty Region. The project is expected to attract approximately $67 million in investment. The facility will manufacture 20 pharmaceutical products, including treatments for cancer and rare diseases, as well as advanced immunobiological medicines. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2031, reach full production capacity in 2032, and complete its transition to full-cycle manufacturing across key product lines by 2034. The investment growth comes as Kazakhstan seeks to develop its healthcare and biotechnology sectors. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, researchers in Kazakhstan recently developed a medical exoskeleton designed to aid stroke rehabilitation, while the Ministry of Health is expanding the use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve the early detection of strokes, cancer, among other serious diseases.

7 days ago

Astana LRT

Astana LRT Carries One Million Passengers in First Two Weeks, Mayor Says

Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek has announced that the city’s newly launched light rail transit (LRT) system, which connects the capital’s international airport with Nurly Zhol railway station, carried one million passengers during its first two weeks of operation. The elevated rail project, designed to bypass traffic congestion on city roads, was launched in 2011. Authorities initially planned to complete construction by 2017, in time for the international EXPO exhibition hosted by Astana. However, the project was suspended in 2013 amid rising costs, and a subsequent attempt to revive it two years later also failed to move forward. In 2019, authorities in Kazakhstan opened a criminal investigation into allegations of cost inflation and the embezzlement of public funds allocated to the project. Former Astana LRT chief Talgat Ardan and former deputy mayor Kanat Sultanbekov were accused of embezzling nearly 30 billion tenge, or approximately $79 million at the exchange rate at the time. In May 2023, both men were sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison. Despite the controversy, city authorities ultimately decided to complete the project, arguing that dismantling the partially built infrastructure would cost nearly as much as finishing construction. In May 2026, the first LRT line linking the airport and Nurly Zhol railway station officially entered service. One of the main concerns raised by critics was whether residents would embrace the new transport system, particularly given its higher fare. A single LRT trip costs 200 tenge ($0.41), compared with 110 tenge ($0.23) for a bus ride. However, Kassymbek said the system’s early performance had exceeded expectations. “Since the launch of the LRT, passenger traffic has reached one million passengers in just two weeks,” Kassymbek wrote on Instagram. “Daily ridership now stands at approximately 65,000-75,000 passengers. These figures demonstrate strong demand for the city’s new rail transit system among both residents and visitors. I thank all passengers for actively using the LRT, for their trust in the new transport system, and for their responsible attitude toward the infrastructure.” Each LRT train can carry up to 600 passengers. Fifteen driverless trains currently operate on the 22.4-kilometer line, with an additional four trains held in reserve. The system includes 18 stations and a maintenance depot. A full end-to-end journey takes approximately 40 minutes, with trains operating at average speeds of 50-60 kilometers per hour. Service intervals range from five to six minutes. Planning is also underway for the second phase of the network, which would run from Astana-1 railway station, the city’s older rail terminal, through the Zhagalau residential district on Astana’s western outskirts and onward to Kosshy, a fast-growing satellite city south of the capital. The proposed extension would span 26.5 kilometers and include 20 stations. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, former LRT project chief Talgat Ardan was detained in Turkey in May last year. However, he has yet to be extradited to Kazakhstan. According to officials in Kazakhstan, the delay stems from the absence of specific deadlines for processing extradition requests under the legal...

7 days ago

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