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Tax

Foreign Internet Platforms Paid Nearly $18 million in Taxes in Kazakhstan in January

Foreign digital platforms transferred nearly $18 million to Kazakhstan’s state budget in digital services tax, commonly known as the “Google tax”, in January 2026, according to the press service of the State Revenue Committee under the Ministry of Finance. Kazakhstan has applied the digital services tax since 2022. Over this period, 120 foreign companies have registered as taxpayers in the country, including 22 in 2025. Total revenue from the Google tax since its introduction has reached approximately $277.5 million. Of that amount, $117.5 million was collected in 2025, and more than $17.75 million in January 2026 alone. Under the Tax Code, second-tier banks and payment organizations are required to provide tax authorities with information on foreign companies that have undergone conditional registration. This data is used to assess the completeness and timeliness of VAT payments in e-commerce and the provision of digital services to individuals in Kazakhstan. Based on comparisons of bank data, payment system information, and actual VAT payments, tax authorities conduct desk audits. If arrears or underpayments are identified, notifications outlining the discrepancies are issued. Additional enforcement measures came into force on January 1, 2026. Under Article 89 of the Tax Code, state authorities are now authorized to block the internet resources of foreign marketplaces that fail to comply with desk audit notifications or evade VAT registration requirements. The State Revenue Committee emphasized that these measures are intended to ensure a level playing field for domestic and foreign market participants, improve tax compliance in the digital sector, and reduce the shadow economy without conducting on-site tax inspections. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, international companies including Google, Apple, Netflix, and Amazon have already registered in Kazakhstan under the Google tax regime. In May 2025, the U.S. company OpenAI also completed tax registration in the country.

Freight Industry

Kyrgyzstan Launches e-Permit System for Freight Transport to China and Turkic States

Kyrgyzstan has launched a new digital system for international freight transport, replacing paper permits with an electronic platform for cross-border trucking to China and several Turkic states. The Ministry of Transport and Communications introduced the e-Permit system in January 2026, allowing domestic carriers to obtain permits online for shipments to China, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Previously, Kyrgyzstan and China operated under a fixed annual quota of paper permits exchanged on a parity basis; 130,000 permits were issued in 2025 alone. The digital platform eliminates in-person applications, significantly reducing queues and administrative burden. According to the ministry, the new system has cut processing times from up to 24 hours to just 10 minutes. Officials say it enhances transparency, improves administrative efficiency, and helps reduce the risk of corruption. Regional Logistics Strategy The launch of e-Permit is part of Kyrgyzstan’s broader effort to position itself as a regional logistics hub. Authorities view streamlined cross-border transport procedures as essential to boosting trade, especially as the country expands its economic ties with neighboring and Turkic states. Integration with TRACECA The e-Permit rollout follows Kyrgyzstan’s December 2025 accession to the multilateral permit system of the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA). Membership in TRACECA allows Kyrgyz carriers to conduct bilateral and transit shipments using a single multilateral permit across participating countries, including Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. Officials say the integration will lower transport costs, reduce delivery times, and facilitate broader access for Kyrgyz exports to European, Turkish, and Black Sea markets.

Tax administration

Kyrgyzstan Launches Unified Digital Tax Platform

Almambet Shykmamatov, chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s State Tax Service (STS), has unveiled a new digital platform that consolidates all tax-related data into a single system. The automated tax analysis platform, Salyq Kuzot, enables online tracking of the tax status of every citizen and company operating in the country. According to Shykmamatov, tax officials previously had to manually collect data on tax payments, insurance contributions, and financial statements from multiple sources and agencies. With the launch of Salyq Kuzot, this information is now integrated into a unified system, significantly improving efficiency. During a demonstration of the system, the STS head showcased its functionality, including detailed reports on state budget revenues broken down by region, district, and city. The platform also allows for real-time identification of companies evading tax obligations. The launch of Salyq Kuzot comes amid a broader national effort to reduce bureaucracy across public administration. Since early last year, the National Institute for Strategic Studies of the Kyrgyz Republic (NISI) has led reforms aimed at streamlining citizens’ interactions with state institutions and improving the efficiency of government operations. As part of these reforms, redundant government bodies are being phased out. The National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, for example, has closed several regional offices, resulting in the layoff of approximately 100 employees. One of the most significant policy changes is a new regulation prohibiting ministries and agencies from requesting information directly from citizens if the data can be obtained through interagency cooperation. The measure is intended to speed up administrative processes and reduce the bureaucratic burden on the public.

Higher Education

From Central Asia to the World: How a U.S.-Raised Kazakh Founder Is Using AI to Unlock Global Education

For many talented students across Central Asia, admission to the world’s leading universities remains an elusive goal, not due to a lack of ability, but because of complex application procedures, and expensive consulting services. A new AI platform, yoonee.ai, is working to change that. At the heart of the initiative is a woman bridging continents and reconnecting with her cultural roots. One of the platform’s co-founders is ethic Kazakh Gulmira Sage, who was adopted and raised in the United States. Despite growing up in America, she says her connection to Kazakhstan never waned. Last year, her journey back to Kazakhstan to meet her biological mother captured national attention. Now, she is once again in the spotlight, this time for launching a project that promises to reshape access to global education. “Coming back to my homeland after many years felt like reclaiming a missing part of myself,” she says. That personal journey now underpins the mission behind yoonee.ai: a platform designed to help students from Central Asia navigate international higher education systems with greater ease and confidence. From Aviation to AI Before venturing into the tech sector, Gulmira worked as an analyst at Delta Air Lines, one of the world’s largest carriers. There, she worked with complex datasets, financial models, and global logistics, skills she says sharpened her systems thinking. “My background is actually in aviation. I worked as an analyst at one of the biggest airlines in the world, dealing with complex data, financials, and the global logistics that keep an airline moving,” she explains. “Aviation connects people physically, and IT does the same thing electronically. Technology connects them digitally.” That experience fueled her belief that digital tools, and AI in particular, could help eliminate long-standing educational barriers. Together with her co-founders, Feruza and Aidana, she began building yoonee.ai, drawing on their shared academic and professional experiences in the U.S., France, and Kazakhstan. How the Platform Works Yoonee.ai allows students to upload academic documents directly into the system. Using AI, the platform translates them with academic accuracy and converts grades into internationally recognized formats. For instance, GPA scores from five-point or 100-point systems are standardized to U.S. benchmarks, allowing students to assess how competitive their profiles are for specific universities. The platform also offers a “match score” that estimates a student’s compatibility with selected institutions. According to the founders, many qualified applicants are rejected not for academic shortcomings but due to formatting errors or unmet technical requirements. “Geography Should Not Decide a Student’s Future” The team sees its mission as the democratization of global education. Their goal is to eliminate what they call the “geographic tax” – the added financial and informational burden on students from developing regions. This is especially relevant in rural parts of Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, where access to U.S.-trained admissions consultants is limited and often unaffordable. To improve accessibility, the platform will be available in Kazakh, Russian, and Uzbek, allowing students to explore global university options in their native languages, directly from their smartphones. Cultural...

Tourism Development

Kyrgyzstan to Launch Unified Digital Tourism Platform to Attract Foreign Visitors

Kyrgyzstan is preparing to launch a unified Digital Tourism Platform designed to simplify travel procedures and strengthen the country’s appeal to foreign tourists. At a government meeting on January 26, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev pointed to long-standing structural challenges in the tourism sector, including fragmented services for visas, logistics, and insurance, as well as the absence of a centralized coordination mechanism. “Tourists should not face bureaucracy and language barriers at every stage. A single-window platform must integrate government services, private-sector offerings, and payment instruments from entry to exit,” Kasymaliev stated. He directed the Department of Tourism, the Ministry of Digital Development, and the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Tunduk State Portal of Electronic Services, to secure funding and oversee the platform’s technical implementation. Tourism’s economic contribution is steadily increasing. In 2025, the sector accounted for 4.3% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP, with nearly 10 million tourist arrivals, according to Adilet Januzakov, Director of the Tourism Support and Development Fund, speaking on Sputnik Radio. Januzakov noted a shift in government policy from maximizing tourist numbers to improving infrastructure and service standards. The aim is to create comfortable conditions for a wide range of travel experiences, from ecotourism and camping to premium hospitality. Key initiatives include the construction of an Olympic village on Lake Issyk-Kul, the development of ski resorts and amusement parks, and the continued digitalization of tourist routes, such as integrating eco-trails into the 2GIS navigation system. Authorities also plan to implement a national classification system for hotels and guesthouses, designed to increase market transparency and provide consistent service quality for visitors. According to the National Statistical Committee, revenue from foreign tourists exceeded $813 million between January and September 2025, making tourism one of Kyrgyzstan’s key non-resource sectors.

Remote Working

Kyrgyzstan Launches Online Platform for Digital Nomad Applications

Kyrgyzstan has officially launched an online platform allowing foreign citizens to apply for Digital Nomad status, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration announced this week. The service is available via the Government Services portal. The Digital Nomad status grants eligible foreign nationals the legal right to reside in Kyrgyzstan while working remotely. Initially valid for 60 days, the status can be extended for one year and renewed annually for up to 10 years. Applications can now be submitted entirely online, making the process faster, more secure, and user-friendly. The move is part of the government’s broader digitalization and economic modernization efforts. The Digital Nomad framework was introduced in November 2024, when President Sadyr Japarov signed legislative amendments establishing a legal basis for foreign professionals working in fields such as information and communication technologies (ICT), software development, creative industries, and other digital sectors. Those granted Digital Nomad status are exempt from mandatory local registration and may obtain a personal identification number (PIN). They are not required to obtain separate work permits and are permitted to engage in entrepreneurial activity either as individuals or through registered legal entities. Digital Nomads are also eligible to open bank accounts in Kyrgyzstan. The initiative is designed to attract global talent and foster the growth of Kyrgyzstan’s digital economy. Government officials hope the policy will encourage innovation, create jobs, increase tax revenues, and stimulate tourism. Neighboring Kazakhstan has launched similar efforts to attract mobile professionals. The country recently introduced a Digital Nomad Visa for IT specialists, offering both single-entry electronic and multiple-entry paper formats. Kazakhstan also rolled out a Neo Nomad Visa targeting remote workers with a verified monthly income of at least $3,000. Applicants must provide proof of health insurance and a clean criminal record. With these policy shifts, both Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are positioning themselves as emerging hubs for remote work and digital entrepreneurship in Central Asia.