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Kazakhstan to Crack Down on “Gray” Smartphones

Starting March 24, 2025, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry will require telecom operators to verify the IMEI codes of smartphones and disconnect illegally purchased devices. According to ministry officials, the new regulation will apply only to phones purchased after March 24, 2025. Under the new system, all smartphones in Kazakhstan will be categorized into three lists based on their IMEI codes: White List: Legally purchased smartphones. Gray List: Devices with suspicious IMEI codes, such as duplicates. Owners will have 30 days to confirm their device's legitimacy. Black List: Stolen or counterfeit phones, which will be blocked from network access. “The goal of these new regulations is to combat the circulation of illegal devices,” said Dias Tolegenov, head of the Monitoring and Development of Wireless Projects Department at the ministry’s Telecommunications Committee. Phones imported before March 24, 2025, will not be affected by the new rules. Buyers can already check a device’s IMEI code on a dedicated government portal to avoid purchasing illegal or counterfeit smartphones. Azamat Seriktaev, another ministry representative, noted that blocking stolen phones through IMEI registration will help reduce mobile device theft. Meanwhile, the regulations are expected to curb the flow of illegally imported or fraudulently registered devices. According to Mazhilis deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva, 64% of mobile devices in Kazakhstan’s market are imported through illegal or “gray” schemes: “In 2024, the state lost nearly 100 billion tenge (approximately $196 million) in unpaid value-added tax (VAT) due to these illegal imports.” She outlined several common fraudulent practices, including: Customs Evasion: Phones are imported without proper customs clearance. Mislabeling: High-end smartphones are registered as budget models to reduce tax liabilities. IMEI Duplication: Fraudsters copy the IMEI numbers of legally imported devices and assign them to multiple smuggled phones - sometimes up to five or six per code. “Often, people check a new phone’s IMEI and find out that, according to the system, it was manufactured 10 years ago,” Smyshlyaeva noted. To further tighten control, Smyshlyaeva suggested: Integrating IMEI registration with customs data to detect fraudulent imports. Automatically cross-checking IMEI numbers with the Customs Register of Intellectual Property Objects. Limiting personal imports to two smartphones per year per individual to prevent bulk smuggling. Separately, Mazhilis deputy and former Education Minister Askhat Aimagambetov have proposed restrictions on children’s use of smartphones in schools. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kyrgyzstan is considering similar measures in schools and universities.

Public Security Digitalization Digital Service international tourism

Kazakhstan to Provide Tourists with QR-Code Security Cards

Foreign visitors entering Kazakhstan will now receive a special card with a QR code linking to the multilingual portal SafeTravel.kz, a platform designed to enhance tourist safety and provide access to essential services. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched this initiative as part of broader efforts to improve security measures for foreign visitors. Cards with QR codes are now being distributed at border checkpoints and airports, with the first set already in use at Kazakhstan’s international airport in Astana. Through SafeTravel.kz, tourists can access: The "102" mobile app for instant contact with police, including an SOS function A memo on migration laws and entry requirements A city map with links to navigation and travel apps A list of official taxi and online transport services Information on telecommunications operators with links to their websites Emergency response guidelines for various incidents Contact details for ambulance, fire, and rescue services Kazakhstan’s introduction of this QR-code security system aims to ensure a safer and more convenient experience for international travelers by providing quick access to emergency services and essential information.

AI Digital Service Digital Technologies China

China’s AgiBot to Produce Robots in Kazakhstan

Chinese robotics company AgiBot plans to establish a joint venture in Kazakhstan to manufacture and deploy robots at industrial facilities across the country. The company also aims to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) solutions as part of its expansion strategy. An agreement of intent was signed between AgiBot and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry during the Digital Almaty 2025 forum. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation JSC, a private equity fund founded in 2007 to support private equity and venture capital development, will also participate in the project. To implement the initiative, AgiBot has partnered with EWPartners, a private investment firm specializing in cross-border collaborations with leading Chinese industrial companies. AgiBot, founded in February 2023, focuses on the development and production of general-purpose humanoid robots for industrial and domestic use. Kazakhstan is the first country in the region where AgiBot plans to localize production and expand exports. As part of the partnership, the company is expected to launch a “data factory” for training robots and robotic systems. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation and EWPartners will contribute to financing this project. Additionally, a joint R&D center and an exhibition of AgiBot prototypes are set to be established at the Alem AI International Center for Artificial Intelligence. AgiBot also intends to collaborate with Kazakhstani universities to develop joint research projects and train students in robot assembly. “Partnership with an advanced company like AgiBot is an important milestone in the history of Kazakhstan’s robotics industry. I would especially like to highlight that this agreement includes the localization of robot production in Kazakhstan. This will not only help launch a facility in one of the most promising branches of mechanical engineering but also strengthen local expertise and create a domestic center of competence in robotics,” said Zhaslan Madiev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan exports IT products and services to 95 countries. With AgiBot’s involvement, the country may soon add robot exports to its growing digital economy.

Economy economic Digital Service e-Commerce Digitalization

Kazakhstan’s Digital Exports Expand

Kazakhstan exported $471 million worth of IT services to 95 countries during the first nine months of last year, according to Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry (MDDIAI). The primary driver of export revenue in Kazakhstan's IT services market is Astana Hub, the largest international technology park for IT startups in Central Asia, located in the country's capital. Astana Hub is home to over 1,500 companies, including 400 international firms. In 2024, its total revenue reached 620 billion KZT ($1.1 billion), with export revenue amounting to 227 billion KZT ($428 million) across 92 countries. Additionally, the products of JSC "National Information Technologies" (NIT JSC), the operator of Kazakhstan’s “e-government” infrastructure, have also entered global markets. According to Madiyev, NIT JSC’s main exported products include Smart Data Ukimet, Smart Bridge, and Gov.kz: Smart Data Ukimet: An information-analytical platform designed for the secure collection, storage, and analysis of data from government information systems. Smart Bridge: A platform that simplifies integration processes between government agencies and private businesses through a "service showcase" model. Gov.kz: A unified platform for the online resources of government agencies. The export of Kazakhstan’s digital public services (GovTech) reached $2.7 million, with these solutions currently supplied to Tajikistan, Togo, and Sierra Leone. In addition to GovTech, Kazakhstan’s IT exports also include software, computer games, fintech solutions, and marketplaces. Among the largest exporters are five software developers, three computer game companies, one fintech firm, and one marketplace. “Most of the major exporters are foreign companies that have relocated to Kazakhstan, creating new jobs in major cities and regions, as well as contributing to export revenue,” said Madiyev. Kazakhstan has made significant strides in developing its IT infrastructure. The country now boasts 20 regional IT hubs that work closely with Astana Hub, fostering innovation across the nation. Furthermore, Kazakhstan is establishing an international network of IT hubs by opening IT offices in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. “Kazakhstani startups now have foreign infrastructure to attract investment and expand their export markets,” said Madiyev. The minister also announced the launch of a fund of venture capital funds under the jurisdiction of the International Financial Center Astana (MFCA), based at Astana Hub. This fund, with an expected capital of $1 billion, will finance IT startups in Kazakhstan. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is home to 12 regional IT hubs that are actively contributing to the country’s growing digital economy.

Digital Service Digital Technologies e-Commerce Internet

Foreign Online Marketplaces to Be Registered in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, has proposed introducing regulations requiring foreign online marketplaces operating in the country to register on a dedicated electronic platform. The proposal was discussed during a government meeting on e-commerce development held on January 14. As outlined by Shakkaliyev, the mandatory conditions for these platforms would include: Compliance with product safety standards; Measures to combat counterfeit products; Protection of consumer rights and personal data; and Adherence to tax and customs transparency requirements. Addressing Consumer Complaints The proposed measures aim to address a growing number of complaints from Kazakh citizens about foreign online trading platforms. Many of these platforms operate outside of Kazakhstan's jurisdiction, making it difficult - if not impossible - for customers to return or exchange goods due to geographic distances. Furthermore, goods purchased through foreign marketplaces often lack certification in Kazakhstan, raising concerns over product safety and quality. The Rise of E-Commerce in Kazakhstan In 2023, purchases on foreign online marketplaces in Kazakhstan totaled $1.3 billion, accounting for about 20% of the country’s total online sales. The sector continues to grow, with new foreign platforms entering the market. Notably, Russian marketplaces Ozon and Wildberries plan to establish three fulfillment centers in Astana and Almaty in 2024, with a combined area of 291,000 square meters. Kazakhstan’s e-commerce industry has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, e-commerce transactions from January to November 2024 amounted to approximately 3.2 trillion KZT (over $6 billion), representing 14.5% of the total retail trade and creating over 300,000 jobs. The government aims to increase e-commerce's share in total retail trade to 18.5% by 2029. Comparative Trends and Local Initiatives The Times of Central Asia previously reported that in 2023, Kazakhstan's e-commerce volume exceeded 2.2 trillion KZT ($4.8 billion), accounting for 13% of all retail trade - an increase of 0.5% compared to the previous year. In addition to regulating foreign platforms, Kazakhstan is fostering its domestic e-commerce sector. Recently, a new local online marketplace, Teez, was launched, with investments totaling $50 million. Teez boasts its own infrastructure, further strengthening the country's digital economy.

Digital Technologies Legislation Digitalization e-Commerce Digital Service

Uzbekistan Introduces New Rules for E-Commerce Platforms

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has issued a new decision titled “On Measures to Further Develop the E-Commerce Sector in Uzbekistan”, introducing updated regulations for e-commerce operators, including electronic trading platforms, order aggregators, and digital streaming service providers. Under the new regulations, only legal entities registered as residents of Uzbekistan can operate as e-commerce providers. This includes platforms that facilitate electronic transactions, such as marketplaces, aggregators, and streaming services. Entities or individual entrepreneurs that merely provide information about goods, services, or digital products without engaging in electronic contracts or transactions are not classified as e-commerce operators under these rules. From July 1, 2025, e-commerce operators in Uzbekistan must adhere to the following conditions: Legal Registration: Operators must be registered as legal entities in Uzbekistan. Compliance with Laws: Operators are required to follow legislation related to e-commerce, personal data protection, copyright, consumer rights, and advertising. Transparency: Upon request, they must provide information about their activities to authorized bodies free of charge. Retail Trade Rules: Operators must comply with retail trade regulations. Operational Standards: They must maintain an information system capable of ensuring the effective provision of services to e-commerce participants. These new measures are part of Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to regulate and encourage growth in its rapidly expanding e-commerce sector. Meanwhile, The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries is planning to enter the Tajikistan and Turkmenistan markets. Wildberries currently operates in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, offering a wide range of products, including clothing, footwear, electronics, and home furnishings. By setting clear rules for e-commerce operators, Uzbekistan aims to create a more structured and reliable digital marketplace, ensuring transparency, consumer protection, and compliance with international standards.