• KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29760
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29760
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29760
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29760
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29760
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29760
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29760
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29760
07 August 2026

Our People > Dmitry Pokidaev

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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

Chinese Brands Drive Fivefold Surge in Kazakhstan’s Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Sales

Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in Kazakhstan rose nearly fivefold in the first four months of 2026, as Chinese brands expanded their presence and buyers turned to plug-in hybrids and extended-range models suited to the country’s long distances and harsh climate. According to the Kazakhstan Automobile Union, official dealers sold 2,122 passenger vehicles in the New Energy Vehicles, or NEV, segment between January and April, nearly five times more than during the same period last year. The NEV category includes fully electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs, and extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs, which combine electric and conventional power systems. Most sales came from hybrid and extended-range models, which accounted for 1,499 units, while fully electric vehicles represented 623 sales. Demand growth became particularly noticeable in March and April after a relatively moderate start to the year. Analysts say electric and hybrid vehicles are gradually moving beyond their status as a niche segment of the Kazakh automotive market. “Today, buyers are increasingly choosing plug-in hybrids and extended-range vehicles,” said Anar Makasheva, president of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union. According to Makasheva, such models offer many Kazakh consumers a compromise between fuel efficiency, driving range, and practicality. The pattern reflects a wider trend in Kazakhstan’s car market, where fully electric vehicles remain attractive but face practical limits linked to charging infrastructure, winter performance, and long intercity routes. Plug-in hybrids and extended-range models offer many buyers a lower-risk transition from conventional cars. Chinese automaker BYD became the clear market leader in Kazakhstan’s NEV segment, selling 1,181 vehicles, an increase of 432% compared with the same period last year. Li Auto ranked second with sales of 384 vehicles, while Geely Galaxy placed third with 367 units sold. The top five also included Zeekr and ROX. The best-selling model in the segment was the hybrid BYD Song Plus DM-i, with 413 vehicles sold during the first four months of the year. It was followed by the Geely Galaxy EX5 EM-i and the BYD Chazor. Other popular models included the Li Auto L6 and the fully electric BYD Yuan Up. In the traditional hybrid, or HEV, category, the Toyota Camry remained the market leader, with dealers selling 274 vehicles. For comparison, Kazakhstan sold a total of 4,242 NEV vehicles during all of 2025, while sales in 2024 amounted to only 1,083 units. The figures also come amid wider growth in Kazakhstan’s automotive sector. In February, the Kazakhstan Automobile Union projected that vehicle production could exceed 209,000 units in 2026, following output of 171,400 units in 2025. The growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles comes as the government looks for ways to make the segment more visible and easier to regulate. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan plans to introduce green license plates for electric vehicles to simplify identification by traffic surveillance systems.

2 months ago

Kazakhstan Prepares to Launch Driverless Taxi Service in 2026

Kazakhstan plans to launch a pilot project for driverless taxis in the second half of 2026, accelerating the country’s push toward autonomous transport technologies and the digitalization of urban mobility. Preparations for the project were announced by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. According to the ministry, Yandex Qazaqstan and inDrive have already begun preparing the necessary infrastructure under government coordination. The project includes the construction of specialized garages, the import and configuration of autonomous vehicles, and the adaptation of software to Kazakhstan’s traffic regulations and local road conditions. “The project is being implemented through a ‘regulatory sandbox’ mechanism, which will allow technological solutions to be tested in controlled conditions and help form the necessary legislative framework,” the ministry said in a statement. Officials noted that Kazakhstan currently lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework governing autonomous transport, including standards related to safety, navigation, and traffic management. As a result, driverless vehicles will initially operate under continuous supervision by human operators, and the project will move forward only after testing is completed and infrastructure readiness is confirmed. Almaty is expected to become the primary city for the introduction of the service, although routes and traffic schemes for autonomous taxis are still being designed. Earlier, the administration of Astana also signed memorandums with Yandex Qazaqstan and inDrive regarding the launch of driverless taxi services in the capital in 2026. At the same time, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport is developing separate regulations for the use of autonomous cargo trucks on inter-city highways. Kazakh authorities say they are drawing on international experience in deploying autonomous transport technologies. The ministry noted that Tesla is currently testing robotaxi services in Texas, while Waymo already operates commercial autonomous ride services in several U.S. cities. In China, similar projects are being developed by Baidu and Pony.ai.

2 months ago

Kazakhstan’s Auto Industry Maintains Growth Despite Slowing Momentum

Production of cars and other automotive equipment in Kazakhstan continued to grow rapidly in early 2026, although the pace of expansion has begun to slow amid intensifying competition and changing market conditions. According to the Kazakhstan Automobile Union, domestic manufacturers produced 63,403 units of automotive equipment between January and April, an increase of 35.1% compared to the same period last year. During the first quarter, growth had stood slightly higher at 36.8%. In April alone, Kazakh factories produced 18,144 units of automotive equipment, up 31% year-on-year and nearly 4% higher than in March. The figures include passenger cars, trucks, buses, special-purpose vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers. “Despite intensifying competition and changes in market conditions, Kazakhstan’s automotive industry continues to maintain strong growth momentum,” said Anar Makasheva, president of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union. According to Makasheva, automotive manufacturing now accounts for more than 42% of the country’s machine-building sector. The value of production of automobiles, trailers, and semi-trailers reached approximately $1.6 billion during the first four months of the year, nearly 20% higher than in the same period in 2025. Passenger vehicles remain the core driver of growth in Kazakhstan’s automotive industry. Between January and April, the country assembled 59,057 passenger cars, 36.8% more than a year earlier. Production of trucks increased by 9.3% to 1,967 units, while bus production rose by 34.3% to 986 units. Output of trailers and semi-trailers grew by 17.1%, although production of special-purpose vehicles declined by around 12%. The largest manufacturer remains the Kostanay-based Allur plant, which produced 23,161 vehicles during the reporting period. Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan, located in Almaty, manufactured 17,710 units, while Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan assembled 13,373 vehicles. The new Kia Qazaqstan plant in Kostanay continued to ramp up production, assembling 6,575 vehicles in the first four months of the year. The commercial vehicle segment showed more uneven dynamics. QazTehna, based in the city of Saran, more than doubled production to 1,025 units, while output at KAMAZ-Engineering JSC declined by 41%. Among domestically produced models, the Chevrolet Cobalt, assembled in Kostanay, remained the market leader. Sales of the model reached 7,755 units during the first four months of the year. The list of top-selling models also included the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, and several Chinese models, including the Changan CS55 Plus, Changan CS35 Max, Haval M6, and Haval Jolion. The growing presence of Chinese brands is part of the expanding influence of Chinese automakers across Central Asia and the post-Soviet region following the partial withdrawal of some Western and Russian market players. Kazakhstan’s automotive industry remains one of the fastest-growing sectors of the country’s industrial economy. In 2025, Kazakhstan set a national production record by manufacturing more than 171,000 vehicles. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia vehicle production growth in the first quarter of 2026 was approaching 37%.

2 months ago

Kazakhstan and Chinese Investors Launch “Green” Copper Metallurgy Project in Aktobe

Kazakhstan has begun construction of a copper scrap recycling and copper rod production plant in Aktobe with the participation of Chinese investors, as the country seeks to develop higher-value metals processing and expand lower-carbon industrial production. The $100 million project is being implemented in the Aktobe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with support from KAZAKH INVEST and the Aktobe Region administration. It involves China’s Beijing Jinyi Yuanfang Holding Group and Kazakhstan’s Phoenix Industrial Group. The new facility will process copper scrap collected across Kazakhstan and produce up to 25,000 tons of refined copper annually. Authorities hope the project will help turn Aktobe into a regional center for the copper industry and expand exports to markets in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2027 and is expected to create about 250 jobs. “This project is a concrete result of negotiations conducted during our working visit to the People’s Republic of China,” Deputy Akim of the Aktobe Region Abzal Abdikarimov said. According to Abdikarimov, the plant will be the first major industrial enterprise launched within the Aktobe SEZ and is expected to become a new driver of regional economic growth. The use of copper scrap as raw material is being presented as part of a “green metallurgy” strategy aimed at reducing the sector’s carbon footprint and increasing the localization of industrial production. The project also points to China’s growing role in Kazakhstan’s industrial development and Beijing’s efforts to expand its economic influence across Central Asia. KAZAKH INVEST Chairman Sultangali Kinzhakulov said cumulative Chinese investment in Kazakhstan has already reached $25 billion. He added that around 250 joint projects involving Chinese participation are currently at various stages of implementation, while approximately 60% of all Chinese investment in Central Asia is concentrated in Kazakhstan. “Over the next three to five years, total Chinese investment is expected to reach $100 billion,” Kinzhakulov said. Locating the enterprise within a SEZ provides investors with tax and customs incentives, as well as access to the transport infrastructure of western Kazakhstan. The project is being launched as Kazakhstan modernizes its metallurgical sector. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan plans to invest approximately $174 million in non-ferrous metallurgy projects in 2026.

2 months ago

Kazakhstan Receives Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Status

Kazakhstan has received international recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as having foot-and-mouth disease-free zones covering its entire territory, making it the only country in Central and East Asia with this status, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture. The decision was adopted during the WOAH’s 93rd General Session in Paris. The certificate was presented to Kazakhstan's delegation on May 22. The status, granted to zones recognized as free from foot-and-mouth disease with vaccination, is considered one of the most important international veterinary certifications and can provide access to more profitable export markets for livestock products. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture said the recognition was the result of a large-scale modernization of the country’s veterinary system and the restoration of international sanitary status for a number of animal diseases. Kazakhstan also annually confirms its official disease-free status for African horse sickness and classical swine fever, while maintaining WOAH self-declarations for highly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever. “Today, the entire territory of the country is covered by internationally recognized zones free from foot-and-mouth disease with vaccination, which is an important result of the state’s systematic work,” Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said. The new status is already contributing to the expansion of export markets for agricultural products from Kazakhstan, the ministry said. According to the Agriculture Ministry, China has opened its market to imports of slaughter cattle, beef hides, and poultry meat from Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan has authorized imports of camels, beef and lamb products, dairy goods, honey, and fish. Mongolia has opened its market to live small livestock, while Iraq has approved imports of cattle and sheep for slaughter. In addition, Georgia has authorized imports of cattle from Kazakhstan and small livestock, Iran has opened its market to hides and wool from hoofed animals, and the European Union has approved imports of honey from Kazakhstan. WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran, during a meeting with Saparov, said Kazakhstan demonstrates a “consistent and systematic approach” to developing its veterinary services and implementing international standards. She also proposed that Astana share its experience in veterinary system modernization with other WOAH member states. The recognition comes amid growing agricultural exports from Kazakhstan. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that the country significantly increased exports of meat and livestock products in 2025.

2 months ago

Kazakhstan’s National Railway Operator KTZ Plans IPO in 2026

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Kazakhstan’s national railway operator, plans to launch an initial public offering in 2026 with a proposed triple listing in London, Hong Kong, and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, or KTZ, is wholly owned by Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna. On May 23, Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ announced plans to proceed with the IPO. The offering also comes as KTZ faces rising debt and major capital needs linked to railway modernization and corridor expansion. The sovereign wealth fund said Kazakhstan government resolution No. 894, adopted on October 24, 2025, provides for KTZ’s IPO to take place in 2026. “Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ are currently carrying out active preparations for an international IPO, which is expected to involve a triple listing on the London Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and a local stock exchange in Kazakhstan,” the statement said. The IPO is expected to be conducted exclusively through the issuance of new shares by KTZ itself, rather than through the sale of existing shares held by the sovereign wealth fund on the secondary market. “As a result, the funds raised through the IPO will remain at KTZ’s disposal for its own operational and investment needs,” the fund stated. The proceeds are expected to be used to repay part of the company’s debt obligations and finance a large-scale investment program aimed at modernizing Kazakhstan’s railway infrastructure, expanding the capacity of transport corridors, renewing rolling stock, and strengthening the country’s overall transit potential. The IPO comes as KTZ faces a heavier debt burden linked to rolling stock purchases, infrastructure upgrades, and Kazakhstan’s efforts to expand its transit capacity. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that KTZ’s nominal debt rose from about $5.7 billion in early 2024 to roughly $8 billion in 2025, before reaching 4.7 trillion tenge, or about $10.4 billion, by April 2026. Official estimates put borrowing for rolling stock renewal at about $4.9 billion and railway infrastructure modernization at about $2.3 billion. Samruk-Kazyna said preparing KTZ for an IPO requires extensive preliminary work, including efforts to improve the company’s attractiveness to international investors. “Such preparatory activities are currently being carried out jointly by the fund and KTZ in coordination with the government. At this stage, it is not yet possible to disclose further details,” the statement said. The fund added that a detailed assessment of market conditions will be conducted closer to the IPO date by investment banks engaged by KTZ. The final timing and parameters of the IPO will depend on market conditions, KTZ’s readiness, and the level of investor interest. KTZ’s main investment case is likely to center on Kazakhstan’s role in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. The route links China and Europe through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and onward routes through Turkey or the Black Sea. But the corridor also requires heavy spending on infrastructure, equipment, coordination, and the removal of bottlenecks. That means the IPO may be viewed both as a transit-growth story and as a way...

2 months ago

Kazakhstan Prepares New Visa System for Migrant Workers and Investors

Kazakhstan is preparing to introduce a differentiated visa system for foreign workers and investors as authorities seek to attract highly skilled specialists while tightening oversight of labor migration. The new migration model was presented by Yerbol Tuyakbayev, first vice minister of labor and social protection during a roundtable discussion at the Center for Labor Resources Development. According to Tuyakbayev, the government plans to divide foreign nationals coming to Kazakhstan for work into four categories: business immigrants, highly qualified specialists, mid-level skilled workers, and labor migrants hired by private households for domestic work. “Each category will have a separate visa regime based on the purpose of entry, qualification level, and duration of stay,” Tuyakbayev said. A central element of the reform will be the possibility of transitioning from a temporary work or investment visa to long-term resident status. According to officials, holders of such status would gain access to a range of rights and services similar to those available to citizens of Kazakhstan, including tax incentives, financial services, healthcare, and education. Authorities also plan to simplify administrative procedures for foreigners, reduce application processing times, and introduce a “single-window” system. As part of the reform, Kazakhstan plans to launch the QazETA digital platform, which will include an e-Residency module and a separate e-Residency Invest program. The new system will also include the Altyn Visa, or “Golden Visa,” program, aimed at investors, entrepreneurs, and highly qualified specialists. The government expects the initiative to become one of the key tools of Kazakhstan’s new migration policy and to help retain both international talent and investment capital. The Altyn Visa program is expected to launch before the end of 2026. Experts say Kazakhstan is attempting to strengthen its position in the competition for global talent amid worldwide shortages of qualified labor and growing migration mobility across Eurasia. Anna Alshanskaya, head of economic policy analysis at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, said the country has the potential to take a “proactive position” as a regional hub for attracting specialists. The initiative has also received support from the International Organization for Migration. Aliya Belonosova, acting head of the organization’s mission in Kazakhstan, said the new system would create additional opportunities not only for attracting international specialists and investment, but also for preparing Kazakhstan’s youth for the labor market of the future. The migration reform comes amid growing demand for foreign labor in Kazakhstan. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Chinese citizens currently make up the largest group of migrant workers in the country.

2 months ago

Kazakhstan Plans to Power New Alatau City With Gas and Renewable Energy

Kazakhstan plans to power the future megacity of Alatau City near Almaty through a combination of gas-fired generation and renewable sources, as authorities seek to address chronic electricity shortages in the country’s south while creating a low-carbon “smart city” model. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev outlined the government’s energy strategy for the project during a briefing in Astana. According to him, Alatau City’s population could reach between 2.8 million and 3 million people by 2050, roughly equivalent to the current population of Almaty. “We expect that Alatau City will rely primarily on gas generation, given the area’s relatively low population density, along with renewable energy facilities,” Bozumbayev said. The new city is being developed on the site of the village of Zhetygen, approximately 50 kilometers from Almaty. The project will also encompass the settlements of Enbek, Zhanaarna and Kuigan, as well as parts of Konaev and the Talgar district in the Almaty Region. Authorities envision Alatau City as a future hub for technology companies, logistics and export-oriented industry. Under the current concept, the city will be divided into four functional districts: the financial and business-oriented Gate District, the educational and medical Golden District, the industrial Growing District, and the entertainment-focused Green District. The government expects rapid growth in both population and industrial activity to drive a sharp increase in electricity consumption. According to official estimates, electricity demand in Alatau City could reach 1.45 gigawatts by 2030 and rise further to 1.7 gigawatts by 2040. For comparison, Almaty’s electricity consumption in 2024 stood at approximately 982 megawatts. During the initial phase over the next three years, the city is expected to require around 50-100 megawatts of electricity. However, once industrial facilities become operational, demand could rise to between 500 and 1,000 megawatts, Bozumbayev said. Authorities have already prepared an infrastructure plan that includes the construction of transmission lines, substations, and new generating facilities. The government’s emphasis on gas-fired power generation is aimed at reducing southern Kazakhstan’s dependence on electricity transfers from northern Kazakhstan and neighboring countries. According to Bozumbayev, the launch of new power plants in Kyzylorda, Turkestan, and other southern regions should eventually create an electricity surplus in southern Kazakhstan, which currently remains energy deficient. The development of Alatau City is also part of Kazakhstan’s effort to modernize its power system and gradually increase the share of renewable energy in the national mix. In recent years, the country has expanded solar and wind power projects while remaining heavily dependent on coal-fired generation. Alongside energy infrastructure, authorities are promoting Alatau City as a testing ground for advanced transportation technologies. Bozumbayev said preliminary estimates suggest that air taxi rides in the city could cost around $1 per kilometer. “As competition develops in the market, prices could decrease,” the deputy prime minister said. He added that the testing of the air taxi system is expected to be completed by 2026, with commercial services potentially launching in 2027. However, Almaty Region Governor Marat Sultangaziev previously stated that full commercial operation of air taxi services...

3 months ago

Kazakhstan Proposes Kenyan Trade Hub to Access Eurasian Markets

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

3 months ago

Astana to Host 2027 World Table Tennis Championships

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

3 months ago