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

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.

2 months 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...

2 months 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.

2 months 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.

2 months 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.

2 months 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.

2 months 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...

2 months ago

Wildlife Restoration

Kazakhstan Releases New Group of Przewalski’s Horses Into the Wild

A group of five Przewalski’s horses has been released into the wild in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay Region as part of a reintroduction program to restore the species to its historical habitat, according to the country’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Przewalski’s horse is the last surviving horse species. Once widespread across the grasslands of Central Asia, including present-day Kazakhstan, the species is distinguished by its stocky build, large head, and dun-colored coat with a dark mane. By 1969, Przewalski’s horses had disappeared from the wild and survived only in captivity. Kazakhstan launched a reintroduction program aimed at restoring a self-sustaining population in the country’s vast steppe ecosystems. The first seven horses arrived in Kostanay Region in the summer of 2024. A second group of seven horses was transported from Prague Zoo and Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park in June 2025. On May 25, five horses from that second group were released into the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve. The group consists of Galvan, a stallion brought from Prague, and four mares from Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park. According to the Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology, the animals spent the past year in large acclimatization enclosures, where veterinarians and other specialists monitored their condition. Officials said the horses adapted to the local climate, survived the winter, and were considered ready for release onto the steppe. Before the release, Galvan was fitted with a GPS collar to allow researchers to monitor the group’s movements and gather data on their behavior in a natural environment. According to reserve specialists, the horses are in good condition and have already begun exploring new grazing areas and watering sites. Following their release, the animals remain under the supervision of state wildlife inspectors. Specialists will continue tracking their movements and adaptation to life in the wild. The ministry said that the release of these Przewalski’s horses is an important milestone in a reintroduction project that began in 2024, involving partnership between Ministry of Ecology and numerous European zoos. The initiative draws on Prague Zoo’s previous experience reintroducing Przewalski’s horses to Mongolia, one of the world’s most successful conservation programs for the species. The first group of seven horses brought to Kazakhstan in June 2024 remained under veterinary and zoological supervision throughout its adaptation period. The animals successfully endured their first winter in the Torgai Steppe, where temperatures dropped to as low as -30°C, and completed all necessary veterinary procedures. Six of those horses were released into the wild in early June 2025 after a year of acclimatization. Kazakh authorities plan to bring approximately 40-45 Przewalski’s horses to the country by 2029, a number considered sufficient to establish a breeding population capable of sustaining itself in the wild.

2 months ago

Kazakhstan AI Development Takes Center Stage at EAEU Forum

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has urged Eurasian Economic Union member states to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence across trade, logistics, industry, and agriculture, as Astana seeks to turn Kazakhstan AI development into a wider regional agenda. Speaking on May 28 at the plenary session of the Fifth Eurasian Economic Forum in Astana, titled “The EAEU in the Global Digital Race: Betting on Artificial Intelligence,” Tokayev said digital transformation would be a decisive factor in the bloc’s global competitiveness. The EAEU is a Russia-led bloc of countries which also includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan. “It is critically important to intensify the adoption of new technologies, primarily artificial intelligence, in trade and logistics,” Tokayev said. According to the Kazakh president, integrating national digital systems would allow member states to speed up customs procedures, process documents in real time, forecast cargo flows, and identify logistical bottlenecks. Tokayev also called for the mutual recognition of digital signatures across the EAEU, arguing that such a step could significantly reduce business costs and increase trade volumes within the bloc. He said the analytical capabilities of artificial intelligence could play a major role in strengthening industrial cooperation within the union, modernizing agriculture, and improving regional food security. “The comprehensive application of new technologies will become the most important factor in ensuring dynamic economic growth for EAEU member states,” Tokayev said. At the same time, the president warned that AI development should not deepen the “digital divide” between countries within the union. During the forum, EAEU leaders were expected to adopt a joint declaration on the responsible development of artificial intelligence, an initiative first proposed by Kazakhstan in December 2025. The document is intended to establish common approaches to economic digitalization and the safe deployment of AI technologies while taking into account the interests of all member states. Tokayev said the current transformation of the global economy creates a “unique window of opportunity” for EAEU countries. Citing international estimates, he noted that artificial intelligence could add approximately $7 trillion to global GDP over the next decade. “The key question is whether we will be able to use digital technologies as an effective instrument for accelerated economic and social development,” Tokayev said. Kazakhstan has increasingly promoted initiatives related to AI regulation and development in recent years, seeking to position itself as Central Asia’s leading AI hub. That said, its progress so far has been strongest in state-led digitalization rather than in globally competitive private-sector AI development. In the 2025 Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, Kazakhstan ranked 60th out of 195 countries, up from 76th the previous year, making it the highest-ranked country in Central Asia. The government has declared 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, created a dedicated AI ministry, established an AI Development Council, and promoted the development of national computing infrastructure, including NVIDIA-based supercomputers and expanded data-center capacity. Authorities have also backed Alem.ai, an international AI center in Astana that includes education programs, startup support, research labs, and a planned AI research...

2 months ago

Driverless Freight

Kazakhstan and Russia Launch Driverless Freight Transport Route

Kazakhstan and Russia have launched a pilot project for driverless freight transportation between the two countries, marking a new stage in the digitalization of Eurasian logistics and cross-border transport infrastructure. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the launch during a press conference following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Commenting on the results of the negotiations, Tokayev said that transport connectivity plays a crucial role for both neighboring countries in delivering goods to domestic and international markets. He added that Kazakhstan and Russia are actively developing transcontinental transport corridors along both the North-South and East-West routes as part of wider efforts to strengthen Eurasian connectivity. “It is encouraging that systematic measures are being taken to optimize tariffs, simplify administrative procedures, and modernize border infrastructure, resulting in steady growth in cargo transportation volumes,” Tokayev said. He also said that freight volumes between the two countries reached approximately 92 million tons last year, an increase of nearly 3.5%. “We plan to continue increasing these indicators, including through the introduction of advanced digital solutions and artificial intelligence technologies. A clear example is today’s launch of driverless freight vehicles between our countries,” Tokayev added. Speaking on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Forum, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Transport Damir Kozhakhmetov told the Russian news agency TASS that the first test routes are operating between Astana and Moscow. “As part of cooperation between our two countries, we are integrating our digital solutions in order to move from traditional systems into a new era of autonomous transportation,” Kozhakhmetov said. “Two trucks departed simultaneously from Moscow and Astana and crossed the border checkpoint. This demonstrated that we are already infrastructurally prepared to move to a new level of cooperation,” he added. Earlier, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev said Russia and Kazakhstan were prepared to establish permanent driverless freight routes as early as this year. Tokayev said the innovative transport initiative reflects the broader quality of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Russia. “In conditions of continuing turbulence in global politics, stable and predictable models of interstate partnership acquire special value,” the president said. “Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia have stood the test of time and are now successfully responding to the challenges of a new era.” According to Tokayev, bilateral cooperation is based on large-scale projects that provide practical benefits for both countries, while stable trade and economic ties continue to support growth across key sectors of their economies. He noted that bilateral trade turnover in the agricultural sector alone has increased by approximately $1 billion over the past five years. Investment cooperation has also continued to expand. Tokayev said Russia has become the largest source of foreign direct investment in Kazakhstan, with total Russian investments exceeding $29 billion. “At the same time, Kazakh investments in the Russian economy have reached $9 billion, which is also a strong indicator,” Tokayev said. According to the president, more than 20,000 companies with Russian participation currently operate in Kazakhstan. Tokayev also highlighted energy cooperation as another example of successful bilateral partnership,...

2 months ago

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