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

Labor Market

Kazakhstan Faces Shortage of Doctors and IT Specialists

Kazakhstan continues to face labor shortages in healthcare, information technology, engineering, and the creative industries, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. The ministry published a list of the country’s most in-demand professions based on data from state information systems and the Enbek.kz employment portal. The most acute shortages remain in the medical sector. According to the ministry, there are only around 100 job seekers’ resumes for 469 vacancies for obstetricians and gynecologists. For pediatricians, 448 vacancies were recorded against 139 resumes, while anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists accounted for 300 vacancies and only 75 resumes. “Shortages are also observed among oncologists, neonatologists, and endocrinologists,” the ministry said. Demand also remains high for information technology specialists. More than 500 vacancies are currently open for software application developers, while around 355 vacancies are available for graphic designers. According to the Unified System for Recording Labor Contracts, more than 45,000 employment contracts have been signed since the beginning of 2026 in the country’s most in-demand professions. The largest number of contracts, around 8,000, involved software developers. Obstetricians-gynecologists, pediatricians, and application programmers were also actively recruited. The ministry acknowledged that Kazakhstan is partially addressing labor shortages by attracting foreign specialists. “To attract valuable personnel, Kazakhstan operates a simplified employment procedure for foreign specialists,” the ministry said. According to officials, the list of in-demand professions includes more than 50 occupations and allows highly qualified foreign workers to obtain permanent residence permits in Kazakhstan. This year, 55 labor contracts have been signed with foreign specialists, primarily in the automation sector. The ministry said that, overall, the domestic labor market covers demand for most key professions, although shortages in the healthcare sector remain persistent. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan’s small and medium-sized businesses are also facing a severe labor shortage.

11 hours ago

Elections

Kazakhstan Rules Out Fines for Not Voting in Elections

Kazakhstan does not plan to introduce compulsory voting or impose fines on citizens who fail to participate in elections and referendums, Central Election Commission (CEC) Secretary Shavkat Utemisov said. Speaking on the sidelines of a joint session of parliament, Utemisov acknowledged that declining voter participation, particularly among young people, remains a challenge in Kazakhstan. He said, however, that the country does not intend to adopt practices used in some states where voting is mandatory. Utemisov added that some countries have lowered the voting age, citing Belgium, while others impose penalties, including fines, on citizens who fail to appear at polling stations. “But Kazakhstan is not taking that path at the moment; for us, this issue is not as pressing as it is in the West,” he said. Kazakhstan’s most recent major electoral event was the constitutional referendum held on March 15. According to the CEC, approximately 12.4 million citizens were eligible to vote, while more than 9.1 million cast ballots, a turnout of 73.12%. The next major political event will be elections to Kazakhstan’s new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, which President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev previously said would take place in August. Utemisov stressed that draft amendments to the Constitutional Law “On Elections,” adopted by the outgoing parliament, contain no provisions introducing mandatory voting. According to him, the CEC also has no plans to initiate such amendments in the near future. The election official added that ensuring voter turnout should be the responsibility of political parties participating in campaigns. At the same time, he warned that any attempts to encourage participation through cash payments or gifts could be interpreted as voter bribery. During the joint parliamentary session, lawmakers also approved the Constitutional Law “On the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Status of Its Deputies,” which will enter into force on July 1. The new parliament will consist of 145 deputies, compared to the current bicameral legislature, which includes 148 members, 98 deputies in the Mazhilis and 50 senators. Deputies in the Kurultai will serve five-year terms. Elections will be held exclusively under a proportional representation system based on party lists. “The draft law defines the place of the Kurultai within the system of state authorities, the principles of its operation, its structure, the procedure for its formation, and the mechanisms for exercising its powers,” Mazhilis deputy Aidos Sarym said. According to Sarym, the legislation also establishes the powers of the new parliament to adopt laws, participate in the formation of state bodies, and conduct parliamentary oversight. A separate provision states that the Kurultai will become the legal successor to the current parliament. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that the August vote will become Kazakhstan’s first parliamentary election in which citizens vote exclusively for political parties rather than individual candidates.

12 hours ago

Oil Price

Kazakhstan Sees No Major Risks From UAE Exit From OPEC+

Kazakhstan does not expect major economic turbulence following the United Arab Emirates’ withdrawal from OPEC and the OPEC+ agreement, despite the country’s continued dependence on global oil prices, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin said. The UAE announced that it would leave OPEC on May 1, citing disagreements over existing production quotas. Abu Dhabi plans to increase oil output amid concerns over possible supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and the risk of shortages on the global market. The departure of one of the world’s largest oil producers has fueled concerns about a potential drop in crude prices and the possibility of a price war among exporters. However, Zhumangarin said international analysts remain cautious in assessing the broader implications of the move. “Some are saying this marks the end of the OPEC era. In reality, international expert assessments and forecasts remain very cautious regarding whether this could lead to a price war and whether such a scenario is even possible,” he told reporters. According to the minister, even if the UAE raises production from the current 3.5 million barrels per day to 5 million barrels per day, the global market would continue to balance itself through other major producers and alternative suppliers. Commenting on the possible impact of lower oil prices on Kazakhstan’s economy, Zhumangarin noted that the government traditionally prepares several macroeconomic development scenarios. “This year, the pessimistic forecast was based on an oil price of $50 per barrel,” he said. The minister also pointed out that oil prices had exceeded $100 per barrel several times this year amid tensions in the Middle East. According to Zhumangarin, Astana retains the ability to adjust budget spending if conditions on the oil market deteriorate. On the eve of the US-Israeli war on Iran in late February, the industry benchmark Brent crude was trading at approximately $70 to $73 per barrel; as of May 11, it had risen to slightly below $104 per barrel. In April, OPEC+ countries increased oil production by 206,000 barrels per day, including a rise in Kazakhstan’s quota from 1.569 million to 1.599 million barrels per day by June. Kazakhstan’s authorities would like to see further growth in national oil production, however, a lack of viable export routes aside from Russia, as well as the fallout from Ukrainian attacks on the Russian port of Novorossiysk in November last year, have limited Kazakhstan's ability to fully exploit the recent rise in prices.

1 day ago

Trade

Tokayev Expects Kazakhstan-Russia Trade to Exceed $30 Billion

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Russia could surpass $30 billion in 2026, following a slight decline last year. Speaking during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Tokayev said Russia remains one of the largest investors in Kazakhstan. “Over the past five years, Russia has been one of the main investors in the Kazakh economy. Trade is developing successfully. According to forecasts, this year we will confidently surpass the $30 billion mark, this is a good indicator,” Tokayev said. Trade turnover between the two countries increased by 3% in 2024 to reach $27.8 billion, but declined to $27.4 billion in 2025, Kazakhstan’s Trade Minister Arman Shakkaliyev previously reported. Kazakhstan's trade turnover with Russia has long been eclipsed by that with China and the European Union – both of which have reached around $50 billion per year. Tokayev was in Moscow on a working visit ahead of Victory Day commemorations – a visit which had appeared in doubt following the threat of Ukrainian strikes on Moscow. During the talks, the two sides discussed bilateral economic cooperation, preparations for Putin’s upcoming state visit to Kazakhstan, and the Eurasian Economic Union summit scheduled to take place in Astana on May 28-29. According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan and Russia have implemented 122 joint industrial cooperation projects out of 177 planned over the past 20 years. Tokayev also congratulated the Russian leader on the anniversary of victory in World War II. “We honor the heroes of the bloodiest war in human history,” he said, noting that 57 World War II veterans remain alive in Kazakhstan. Putin, in turn, thanked Tokayev for the visit and praised his contribution to bilateral relations. “The fact that you found it possible to come to Moscow and be with us these days is the best proof of the level of relations between Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation,” the Russian president said. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Russia had tightened foreign trade procedures at the beginning of the year, a move that could affect logistics and trade flows across Central Asia.

1 day ago

Hantavirus

Kazakhstan Assesses Risk of Hantavirus Spread After Cruise Ship Outbreak

Kazakhstan’s public health authorities say the risk of imported hantavirus infections remains due to international travel but insist the country’s epidemiological surveillance system is prepared to detect and respond to potential cases. The statement followed an outbreak of hantavirus aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde. According to media reports, three people died and eight confirmed infections were recorded among the ship’s 150 passengers. Kazakhstan’s National Center for Public Health said the Andes orthohantavirus (ANDV) strain responsible for the outbreak is not circulating in Kazakhstan. “Hantavirus infections remain under constant epidemiological control. Kazakhstan has a functioning sanitary and epidemiological surveillance system, infectious threats are continuously monitored, and laboratory facilities and specialists are prepared to diagnose and respond to possible imported cases,” the center said in a statement. Officials added that the current situation remains under control and there are no grounds for public concern at this stage. Health authorities advised citizens to consider the epidemiological situation when traveling abroad, including by consulting the Saqbol health risk map. Residents were also urged to avoid contact with wild rodents, refrain from touching dead animals without protective equipment, ventilate enclosed spaces, and follow basic hygiene rules. The center noted that hantaviruses belong to a group of zoonotic infections carried primarily by rodents. Infection usually occurs through inhalation of air contaminated with particles from the urine, saliva, or droppings of infected animals. Special attention is being paid to the Andes orthohantavirus strain, which differs from most other hantaviruses in its ability to spread from person to person through close and prolonged contact. “This feature makes it epidemiologically significant,” the center said. The incubation period can range from one week to more than a month. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, the virus can rapidly damage the lungs, leading to respiratory failure and shock. According to health officials, the fatality rate for Andes virus infections can reach 30–40%. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan declined to introduce quarantine restrictions in response to detected cases of metapneumovirus.

1 day ago

State Budget

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.

1 year ago