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

Gas Industry

Kazakhstan Appoints Operator for Karachaganak Gas Processing Plant Construction

Kazakhstan has identified the participants in a project to construct a new gas processing plant (GPP) at the Karachaganak field, aimed at supplying the domestic market with commercial gas. The national company QazaqGaz will act as the single project operator, while China’s CITIC Construction has expressed readiness to participate. Initially, the launch of the GPP, with a capacity of up to 4 billion cubic meters of gas per year, was scheduled for 2028. Construction was to be carried out by Shell and Eni, both involved in developing the Karachaganak field in the West Kazakhstan region. However, in March 2026, Kazakhstan withdrew from this arrangement due to significant cost overruns and disagreements over implementation terms. At present, gas from Karachaganak is processed at the Orenburg GPP in Russia. Kazakhstan aims to relocate processing to its own territory to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on external infrastructure, particularly amid periodic disruptions linked to drone attacks. According to current plans, the capacity of the future plant may be increased to 5 billion cubic meters per year. The project is a key element of Kazakhstan’s Comprehensive Gas Industry Development Plan through 2029 and is being implemented on the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov confirmed that the selection of QazaqGaz as the single operator is driven by the need to move quickly to the implementation stage and by the company’s experience in managing gas infrastructure. The project’s economic feasibility has been confirmed, and a framework agreement outlining basic principles of cooperation has been signed with CITIC Construction. Preparations are currently underway for the FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) stage, while issues related to land allocation, infrastructure, and feedstock supply are also being addressed. Particular attention is being paid to negotiations with foreign shareholders in the Karachaganak project. Key issues include guaranteed supplies of raw gas, establishing a pricing mechanism that ensures domestic market viability, integrating the plant with existing field infrastructure (brownfield), and resolving the gas evacuation fee mechanism. “For Kazakhstan, this plant is of critical importance, and indefinitely postponing the project’s start is unacceptable. The state needs results. The project must be implemented dynamically and in strict accordance with our national economic interests,” Akkenzhenov said. The project is unfolding against the backdrop of legal disputes between Kazakhstan and international energy companies. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Shell and Eni may ultimately be required to pay the Kazakh government between $2 billion and $4 billion following international arbitration proceedings in London. In addition, similar disputes are ongoing over another major project, the Kashagan field, where proceedings are being considered at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.

2 months ago

Science

A Technology to Reduce Harmful Industrial Emissions Developed in Kazakhstan

Scientists at Aktobe Regional University have developed a new gas purification technology capable of reducing dust and harmful substances in industrial emissions by dozens of times, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan reported. The development is intended for use in the metallurgical, energy, and food industries, as well as in the production of construction materials. The technology is based on an improved regeneration system for bag filters, enabling the cleaning of filter elements from accumulated dust without the need for replacement. This approach helps preserve the filter material, improves purification efficiency, and extends the service life of equipment, contributing to more stable production processes. The technology is currently being implemented at several industrial facilities in the cities of Aktobe, Aksu, and Ekibastuz. At the Aktobe Ferroalloy Plant, for example, use of the system has reduced the concentration of harmful components in emissions by approximately 40 times. According to the ministry, similar solutions are already in use at the Aksu Ferroalloy Plant and at enterprises operated by JSC TNK Kazchrome, helping to reduce environmental impact and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The ministry emphasized the importance of the development in terms of import substitution, noting that such gas purification systems were previously supplied mainly from abroad. The technology also aligns with the objectives of the National Carbon Quota Allocation Plan, which aims to reduce industrial emissions and support the country’s climate goals. The equipment is manufactured in Karaganda as part of scientific and technical cooperation between the university and KazEnergoMashEkologia. The results of pilot testing have been registered with the National Center for State Scientific and Technical Expertise, allowing the project to participate in a competition for the commercialization of scientific developments. The project received a state grant of $742,000, while the industrial partner invested an additional $260,000. The total cost of the developed and implemented gas purification equipment to date is approximately $805,000. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, scientists at Satbayev University in Almaty are also working on a compact device capable of converting mechanical vibrations from the environment into electrical energy.

2 months ago

Aitu Messenger

Kazakhstan Considers National Messaging App Aitu for Insurance Companies

Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market is considering the use of the domestic messaging platform Aitu for remote communication between insurance companies and other non-bank financial institutions and their clients. According to Bloomberg, the regulator has recommended that market participants consider using the Kazakh-developed messenger Aitu as a communication tool. Sources cited by the publication said that insurance and brokerage firms received proposals last month regarding the potential use of the platform, partly aimed at strengthening personal data protection. Market participants expressed concerns, pointing to Aitu’s relatively small user base, limited functionality, potential integration costs, and the absence of clear regulatory guidelines for handling personal and financial data on such platforms. In response, the regulator clarified that the use of Aitu is not being considered mandatory, but rather as an additional secure communication channel between financial institutions and their clients. “This issue is being considered by the Agency in connection with the need to strengthen information security, including the protection of personal data amid rising fraud in financial services. The initiative is also aimed at standardizing communication channels between financial organizations and their clients,” the agency said in a statement. According to the regulator, Aitu’s infrastructure ensures a high level of data protection, in part due to the physical localization of servers within Kazakhstan. This, it argues, reduces risks associated with cross-border data transfers and potential interception of financial information. Additional security features include end-to-end encryption, with access keys stored only on users’ devices, as well as the Aitu Passport system, which incorporates biometric identification and a cloud-based electronic digital signature. The regulator states that these tools provide legally valid user verification and help minimize risks such as phishing and identity theft. The agency also noted that the use of open APIs and business dashboards would allow financial institutions to integrate their systems with the platform at relatively low cost, making use of national digital infrastructure. Government agencies and quasi-state companies had earlier been encouraged to adopt Aitu for official communications. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the rollout of the national messenger has sparked broader debate over the balance between cybersecurity and internet freedom in Kazakhstan.

2 months ago

Radicalization

Kazakh MP Calls for a Legislative Ban on Radical Religious Movements

Kazybek Isa, a deputy of the Mazhilis (Kazakhstan's lower house of parliament ), has called for a legislative ban on radical religious movements, arguing that their spread poses a threat to social stability and national security. In a parliamentary inquiry addressed to the government and law enforcement agencies, Isa stated that the ability of such groups to recruit followers could undermine social cohesion and national values. “A legislative ban on radical religious movements is a matter of national security. Such movements threaten social stability, and the state is obligated to protect its citizens from their influence,” the deputy said. He added that the proposed measures are not aimed at religion itself, but at organizations promoting what he described as destructive ideologies. Several recent high-profile incidents prompted the inquiry. In March 2026, a blogger criticized the celebration of Nauryz, describing it as “not a Kazakh or Muslim holiday." He was subsequently detained, and a criminal case was opened against him on charges of inciting religious discord. In a separate case, a YouTube interview circulated featuring a man presenting himself as an imam who claimed to have given his second wife to a student. Following public backlash, he was held administratively liable and fined. According to Isa, existing regulations governing extremist and radical organizations are dispersed across multiple legal acts and are not always effectively enforced. He proposed developing a more comprehensive legislative framework focused on prevention. The deputy also raised concerns about compliance with laws regulating face-covering clothing. He referred to a court case in Aktobe in which the defendants’ wives attended hearings wearing niqabs, arguing that this highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of identification requirements. Kazakhstan previously adopted legislation on the prevention of offenses that includes fines for wearing clothing that conceals the face and hinders identification in public places, including niqabs. Isa further called for tighter oversight of individuals acting as religious preachers and questioned the role of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan in preventing the spread of radical ideologies. He warned that individuals presenting themselves as religious mentors may contribute to social polarization and the recruitment of young people into radical movements. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, in recent years, Kazakhstani authorities have strengthened measures to counter religious extremism, including efforts to prevent radicalization and curb the spread of extremist ideologies.

2 months ago

Cyber Fraud

Kazakhstan Announces Crackdown on Counterfeit Cellular Base Station Scheme

Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) has reported the dismantling of a cyber fraud scheme involving counterfeit cellular base stations. According to the agency, this is the first such case identified in the post-Soviet region. Authorities say the criminal group used the equipment to intercept data on a large scale and send phishing messages. According to the AFM, the attackers used a special device, a so-called SMS blaster that imitated the operation of mobile operator base stations. The device generated a strong signal within a radius of up to 300 meters, causing mobile phones to connect to it automatically and switch to a less secure network. This allowed the attackers to bypass operators' security mechanisms. After connecting, subscribers received fake SMS messages purportedly sent on behalf of well-known companies, offering the chance to redeem accumulated bonuses. Clicking the link led to phishing websites, where users were prompted to select products and then enter personal information, including phone number, full name, bank details, CVV code, and SMS confirmation codes. This enabled the attackers to access confidential information and funds. According to the agency, the equipment was placed in vehicles and used while in motion to expand coverage and avoid detection. The messages were sent primarily in crowded areas, such as markets and near shopping and entertainment centers. The devices’ technical capabilities allowed them to send up to 100,000 messages per hour, significantly increasing the potential scale of the fraud. The operation to disrupt the group’s activities was carried out by the AFM under the coordination of the Prosecutor General’s Office, with the participation of cybersecurity specialists from a mobile operator. The uncovered scheme comes amid a broader rise in telephone and internet fraud in Kazakhstan. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, nearly 85 million fraudulent calls were blocked in the country in 2025. At the same time, authorities are introducing additional regulatory measures, including mandatory biometric identification for mobile subscribers, aimed at strengthening efforts to combat digital crime.

2 months ago

Oil Industry

Six New Oil Fields Added to Kazakhstan’s Reserves

Six new oil fields in western Kazakhstan, with combined reserves exceeding 127 million tons, were added to the country’s national reserves in 2025, Vice Energy Minister Yerlan Akbarov has announced. “Production will be carried out primarily by local, small companies that discovered these fields,” Akbarov said in response to journalists’ questions. He added that Kazakhstan has 15 sedimentary basins with potential hydrocarbon resources; five are currently under development, while geological exploration is ongoing in the others. Earlier, at the Geoscience & Exploration Central Asia forum, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev said that exploration aimed at discovering new oil and gas reserves is planned in the west, as well as in the southeast and north of the country. “Seismic exploration work is planned in the Shu-Sarysu and North Torgay sedimentary basins, which remain underexplored. The results are expected to provide a basis for more detailed prospecting and exploration,” Nagaspayev said. According to the minister, approximately 10,000 deposits are currently recorded in Kazakhstan, of which only 359 are hydrocarbon deposits. In addition, more than 1,000 solid mineral deposits, over 3,700 sites of common minerals, and around 4,900 groundwater sources have been added to the national balance sheet. At the same forum, Askhat Khasenov, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC National Company KazMunayGas (KMG), said the company’s remaining recoverable oil reserves amount to about 445 million tons, with more than 50% classified as hard to recover. He noted that KMG is implementing innovative technologies to bring these reserves into production. As part of this effort, the company has adopted a Technological Challenges Program focused on deploying advanced solutions. Under this program, an additional 434,000 tons of oil were produced in 2025. By 2040, the initiative is expected to generate a further 54 million tons of output, helping to sustain production and preserve jobs at mature fields around which local communities have developed over many years. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is launching its most ambitious geological exploration program in the past 15 years. Over the next three years, the government plans to invest more than $470 million in the study of mineral resources. A major hydrocarbon field has already been discovered in the Atyrau region, with reserves potentially comparable to those of Kashagan, the country’s largest oil field.

2 months ago

life expectancy

Life Expectancy in Kazakhstan Reaches Record High

Life expectancy in Kazakhstan has reached 75.97 years, setting a record for the entire period of independence, according to the Ministry of Health. For comparison, in 1991 the figure stood at 67.6 years; in 2001 it fell to 65.6 years; in 2011 it rose to 68.98 years; and in 2021 it reached 70.23 years. Overall, life expectancy has increased by more than eight years over the past three decades. The ministry attributes this growth largely to measures aimed at combating noncommunicable diseases. In 2025, Kazakhstan ranked among the top ten countries in the European Region of the World Health Organization for reducing mortality from such diseases by 25%. According to the ministry, a systematic approach to prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of chronic conditions has underpinned this positive trend. The government is also implementing a healthcare development strategy through 2029, which aims to raise life expectancy to 77 years. The strategy includes measures to strengthen primary healthcare, introduce digital solutions, develop human resources, and advance medical science. Priorities include reducing premature mortality from cardiovascular and oncological diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions. The plan was developed with the participation of international organizations, including UNICEF and United Nations Population Fund. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan became the first country in the region to meet its targets for reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases. At the same time, rising life expectancy is accompanied by demographic shifts. According to Kazakhstan’s Unified Accumulative Pension Fund, by 2050 approximately 19% of the population will be of retirement or pre-retirement age.

2 months ago

Coal Industry

Kazakhstan Plans Diesel Fuel Production from Coal

Two projects to produce diesel fuel from coal are underway in Kazakhstan, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a government meeting. According to the minister, the projects, each with a capacity of 100,000 tons of diesel fuel per year, are being implemented in the Pavlodar and Karaganda regions. Their costs are estimated at $63 million and $65 million, respectively. As part of efforts to develop the coal chemical industry, a $132 million project is also underway in the Karaganda region to produce metallurgical coke, with a capacity of 1 million tons per year. The minister said the three projects will create about 3,000 jobs. Currently, around 32,000 people are employed in the coal industry. Three additional projects are in the planning stage. These include a coke-chemical production facility in the Karaganda region with coal tar processing capacity of up to 200,000 tons per year, benzene production of up to 35,000 tons, and coke oven gas purification. Authorities are also considering the construction of a plant in the Abai region to produce ammonia and urea from coal (300,000 tons per year of each product), as well as a project to produce up to 2 billion cubic meters of gas from coal. The minister noted that the development of the coal chemical industry faces several challenges, including high capital intensity, technological complexity, and the need to establish an appropriate regulatory framework. He added that developing this sector would reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and increase exports of higher value-added products. The coal industry remains strategically important to the country’s economy. In 2025, coal production reached 115.9 million tons, an increase of 7% compared to the previous year. Domestic consumption totaled 85.9 million tons, while exports stood at 30 million tons. In 2026, coal production is projected to reach 128.9 million tons. Investment in the sector amounted to approximately $655 million in 2025 and is expected to rise to $1.1 billion in 2026. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan’s coal reserves could meet the country’s energy needs for 200-300 years. The authorities have also approved a coal-fired power generation development program that involves the construction of eight new power plants and the modernization of 11 existing ones.

2 months ago

household income

Kazakhstan Targets Growth in Real Household Income

The government of Kazakhstan plans to increase real household income by 2–3% by 2029, according to the Ministry of National Economy. The program includes measures to stimulate employment, raise wages, support entrepreneurship, and create sustainable jobs. Key priorities include increasing wages for public utility workers, civil servants, and agricultural workers; expanding the share of wages in GDP; creating jobs in the manufacturing sector; supporting export-oriented enterprises; and reducing the financial burden on households. The ministry said 2026 will be a pivotal year for establishing sustainable income growth. A joint plan by the government, the National Bank, and the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market aims to reduce inflation to 9-11% in 2026, 5.5-7.5% in 2027, and 5-7% in 2028. Authorities expect that slowing inflation will increase the purchasing power of incomes. Inflation has already declined from 12.9% in September 2025 to 11% in March 2026. From April 1, tariff policy will be implemented more cautiously. The ministry estimates that tariff increases will add no more than 0.35 percentage points to inflation. At the same time, electricity and transportation tariffs for producers of socially significant goods are set to be reduced by up to 70%. The government also plans to limit the growth of budget expenditures, with their share of GDP expected to decline to 15.1% in 2026. Reductions in transfers from the National Fund will continue, and for the first time in five years, the budget is expected to be executed without targeted transfers. In 2025, targeted transfers from the fund amounted to approximately $6.9 billion, while the guaranteed transfer for 2026 has been set at $5.8 billion. According to the National Statistics Bureau, nominal household income grew by 10.2% in 2025, while real income declined by 1.1%. Average per capita income stood at approximately $506. The ministry noted that the decline in real incomes indicates that economic growth is not sufficiently translating into improved living standards, underscoring the need for additional measures to create jobs and raise wages. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov called for increasing the share of wages in GDP to 40%.

2 months ago

Bilateral Trade

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister: Astana and Kyiv Seeking to Restore Trade

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister, Olexandr Mishchenko, discussed prospects for trade and economic cooperation, including the possible resumption of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, during a meeting on April 2 with Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the National Economy. In comments to The Times of Central Asia, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry representative said Astana and Kyiv are aiming to restore bilateral trade. Trade between Kazakhstan and Ukraine reached approximately $5.5 billion annually before the war but has since declined sharply. However, according to Kazakh data, the situation has begun to improve. The Ministry of National Economy reported that trade turnover between the two countries totaled $415.8 million in 2025, up 5.4% from $394.3 million in 2024. Kazakhstan’s main exports to Ukraine include ferroalloys, fertilizers, and rice, while imports from Ukraine consist of chocolate and other cocoa products, flour and confectionery, medicines, cheese, and cottage cheese. [caption id="attachment_46523" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image: Ukrainian Embassy in Kazakhstan[/caption] Astana and Kyiv also intend to expand the range of goods traded. During interdepartmental consultations held in Astana, the sides discussed trade, investment, agriculture, logistics, and humanitarian cooperation, with a focus on export diversification. They agreed to intensify business contacts, consider resuming the Intergovernmental Commission, and expand cooperation in priority sectors, particularly the agro-industrial complex. Mishchenko said the countries also plan to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector and restore logistics chains. Until 2022, Ukraine provided key transit routes for Kazakh exports to Europe. Before 2022, a significant share of Kazakhstan’s westbound trade relied on routes passing through or near Ukrainian infrastructure. The war disrupted those pathways and forced a broader regional shift toward alternative corridors, including routes across the Caspian and South Caucasus, which remain longer, more complex, and often more expensive. “Territorial integrity remains the cornerstone of our cooperation. We are deeply grateful to Kazakhstan for its humanitarian aid: more than 600 tons were collected, particularly during the winter. This support was critical to Ukraine’s resilience,” Mishchenko said. The visit marked the first trip by a senior Ukrainian government representative to Kazakhstan in recent years. A large delegation of Ukrainian entrepreneurs accompanied Mishchenko, seeking to re-establish business ties with Kazakh partners. “Ukraine is already looking toward the post-war future, and concrete proposals for cooperation, including in energy, are being developed through bilateral engagement with Kazakhstan,” Mishchenko told The Times of Central Asia. “Kazakhstan’s energy resources create opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, including potential integration into Ukrainian markets.” Mishchenko noted that a Ukrainian business mission, the first in many years, visited Kazakhstan, including the Pavlodar Region, a major industrial hub with significant heavy industry and energy capacity. “This creates real demand for modernization, engineering solutions, and equipment supplies,” he said. The delegation held meetings with government officials, financial institutions, and business representatives, alongside regional visits aimed at launching joint projects. In Astana, talks were held with the leadership of Baiterek National Management Holding. Ukrainian entrepreneurs also visited the Astana International Financial Centre and the city administration, where they were briefed...

2 months ago

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