e-Commerce - The Times Of Central Asia

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QR Payments

Kyrgyzstan Connects to International Alipay+ QR Payment Network

Kyrgyzstan has launched international QR payments through Alipay+, allowing users of the national Elkart payment system to pay for purchases abroad through a mobile app without relying on cash or foreign payment apps. The launch of the project was announced by the Interbank Processing Center, operator of the national payment system Elkart, with support from the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan. According to the payment operator, the system is already functioning in Kazakhstan and Malaysia, while another 57 countries are expected to join the network within the next month. China is also scheduled to connect to the platform on June 15, enabling Kyrgyz users to pay through a unified QR infrastructure at millions of retail locations. “For Kyrgyzstan, this is a historic event and another important step in the development of the country’s digital financial ecosystem,” Elkart said in a statement. National Bank Chairman Almaz Baketaev described the launch of international QR payments as part of a national strategy to digitalize the financial market. “The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan places special emphasis on implementing modern digital solutions that simplify the integration of our financial system into the global space,” Baketaev said during a press conference in Bishkek. Authorities and market participants expect the new system to simplify payments for tourists, labor migrants, and businesses amid Kyrgyzstan’s expanding economic ties with China and other Asian countries. Integration of the payment systems began in September last year. Representatives of the processing center said the technical integration was completed in a relatively short period of time. Over the past five years, Kyrgyzstan has actively developed its digital financial infrastructure. According to the National Bank, more than 114,000 QR codes have already been installed at retail and service businesses across the country. In 2025, approximately 525 million transactions worth around $10.3 billion were processed through the national system, roughly ten times higher in transaction volume than the previous year.

e-Commerce

Almaty Hosts Ranking Business Day Discussion on Whether E-Commerce Could Become Kazakhstan’s “New Oil”

On February 26, Almaty hosted the first Ranking Business Day, an expert discussion in an open-talk format dedicated to the development of e-commerce in Kazakhstan. The event was organized by the analytical platform Ranking.kz and the communications agency 2BAgency. The central question of the meeting was whether e-commerce could become a new driver of economic growth in Kazakhstan. Sedred Asretov, CEO of Ranking.kz, presented the results of a study on the country’s e-commerce market. According to the data, the volume of retail e-commerce in Kazakhstan reached $6.4 billion in 2024, an increase of 29% compared with the previous year. “E-commerce today is not just a new sales channel. It is a full-fledged ecosystem that combines payments, logistics, marketing, and services,” Asretov said. He emphasized that more than 90% of sales on marketplaces come from small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), making e-commerce an important tool for supporting entrepreneurs across the country. Small and medium-sized businesses currently account for about 40% of Kazakhstan’s GDP and 70% of investment in fixed capital. Marketplaces have become a key sales channel for SMBs, allowing companies to reach broad audiences without major spending on IT infrastructure, marketing, or logistics. This is particularly important for entrepreneurs in regional areas where traditional sales channels are limited. At the same time, electronic trading platforms make a significant contribution to the state budget. According to the study, Kaspi.kz ranked first in tax payments, contributing approximately $276 million in 2025, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Wildberries ranked second with $116 million in tax payments, followed by Ozon with approximately $30 million. During two discussion sessions, experts and representatives of government agencies, the banking sector, and major e-commerce companies discussed key market challenges. Among the main issues raised were: unequal competition between local and foreign platforms; the growing influence of foreign marketplaces; the need for systematic regulation of the industry. Particular attention was given to discussion of a new consumer protection law. Deputy Azat Peruashev of Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament, the Mazhilis, said lawmakers had proposed requiring foreign marketplaces not only to pay VAT but also to cooperate with Kazakhstani manufacturers. “We approached the Ministry of Trade and Integration with a proposal to oblige foreign marketplaces to cooperate with Kazakhstani manufacturers. However, we were told that such conditions cannot be imposed. But this is a negotiation process, and the state should take a stronger position,” he said. Experts also discussed potential future changes in the market. Damir Meyrambekov, managing director for e-commerce at Kazpost, said a new trading platform created in partnership with one of the largest Chinese marketplaces may appear in Kazakhstan in the near future. Evgenia Savenkova-Petrichenko, head of the Wildberries commerce department in Kazakhstan, also commented on reports that the company may purchase a Kazakh financial organization. She did not deny the possibility but said it was too early to make any official statements. The organizers said they intend to make Ranking Business Day a regular platform for discussing key issues related to the digital economy....

e-Commerce

Kyrgyz Citizens to Be Allowed to Pass On E-Wallet Funds to Heirs

Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, has approved a government initiative to regulate the inheritance of electronic money, with the National Bank also backing the proposal. According to the regulator, the popularity of electronic wallets in the country continues to grow. Their number has exceeded 6.5 million, marking an annual increase of about 20%. In the first six months of last year alone, the volume of electronic wallet transactions reached $3.2 million, while the total number of transactions amounted to 132 million. At the same time, there have been no unified rules governing the inheritance of electronic funds, leading to disputes, including legal conflicts. The National Bank noted that many e-wallets remain unidentified and that legislation has lagged behind the rapid development of digital financial instruments. Following the completion of public consultations, amendments are expected to be introduced to the Civil Code of Kyrgyzstan recognizing electronic money as part of a citizen’s property. This would allow funds held in electronic wallets to be inherited on an equal basis with bank accounts. Previously, commercial banks were required to resolve such matters independently, which often resulted in legal disputes. In some cases, after the death of an e-wallet owner, funds were transferred to only one heir, typically the first to contact the bank. The new law is intended to establish a clear and uniform inheritance procedure. Under the draft amendments, once notified of a customer’s death, a bank will be required to block transactions on the e-wallet account at the request of a notary. After heirs’ rights are verified, the funds will be distributed in accordance with the procedure established by law. Financial institutions will also be required to provide notaries with information not only about the deceased’s bank deposits but also about their electronic wallets and other financial assets. In comments to The Times of Central Asia, representatives of the National Bank said that the sums citizens hold in electronic wallets have become significant, prompting the regulator to support the initiative put forward by the Ministry of Justice. Elizat Zhaparova, head of the banking supervision department, noted that amendments to the law on the protection of bank deposits were adopted last year, and the National Deposit Protection Agency now guarantees the safety of bank deposits. She added that extending similar inheritance provisions to electronic wallets is a logical step. The reform marks a move toward aligning Kyrgyzstan’s digital financial sector with civil law, closing a regulatory gap and reducing the risk of disputes among heirs.

e-Commerce

Will E-Commerce Become the New Oil for Kazakhstan?

On February 26, Almaty will host Ranking Business Day, a professional Open Talk discussion titled “Will E-Commerce Become the New Oil for Kazakhstan?” Amid ongoing structural economic transformation and the search for new growth drivers, e-commerce has emerged as one of the country’s most dynamic sectors. Online commerce is already exerting a significant impact on retail, logistics, banking, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. However, a central question remains: can e-commerce evolve into a strategic pillar of the economy, comparable in importance to the raw materials sector? As part of the event, Ranking.kz will present a comprehensive industry study examining the current state and future prospects of Kazakhstan’s marketplace sector. The analysis covers market structure and dynamics, the positioning of domestic and foreign players, the economic and social impact of e-commerce, and the role of state regulation. Participants will address the following issues: the current state of e-commerce in 2025-2026; the impact of cross-border trade and intensifying competition with international platforms; the implications of new consumer protection legislation for the market; risks and potential scenarios for the sector’s sustainable development in 2026. Special attention will be given to balancing the interests of the state, businesses, and consumers, as well as fostering a competitive environment that supports the growth of domestic companies. Ranking Business Day will bring together representatives of government agencies, the financial sector, industry associations, marketplaces, and logistics companies for an open professional dialogue. The event will take place at the Mercure Almaty City Center and will begin at 9:00 a.m. Information partners of the event include The Times of Central Asia, Kapital.kz, Kursiv.Media, Tengrinews, National Business, Bluescreen.kz, and Profit.kz.

e-Commerce

Kazakhstan to Ban Untrustworthy Sellers from E-Commerce Marketplaces

Kazakh authorities are moving to strengthen regulations for sellers operating on online marketplaces. According to Bolat Tanabergenov, chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee under the Ministry of Trade and Integration, sellers found to have violated consumer rights could be banned from conducting business on online platforms. A surge in complaints related to online commerce is driving the proposed reforms. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of consumer complaints rose 5.5 times, from 2,500 to 14,500, according to ministry data. In the first ten months of 2025 alone, over 15,000 complaints were filed against sellers in the e-commerce sector. With digital trade expanding rapidly, Tanabergenov warned that the volume of complaints is likely to increase further. The committee has proposed legal amendments that would require marketplaces to sign agreements with sellers that mandate compliance with the Consumer Protection Law. This would make both the seller and the hosting platform jointly liable for any violations. Under the new framework, businesses that break consumer protection rules could be barred from accessing e-commerce platforms altogether. The expanding role of digital trade in Kazakhstan’s economy underpins the urgency of the reforms. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the country’s e-commerce turnover exceeded $4.2 billion in 2023, rising to $6.1 billion in 2024, according to the National Statistics Bureau. Meanwhile, total consumer complaints continue to rise. Tanabergenov reported that in 2020, authorities registered around 21,000 complaints. That number climbed to 62,500 in 2024, and in the first ten months of 2025, approximately 68,000 complaints had already been recorded. In offline retail, consumers most commonly report refusals to exchange goods or issue refunds for defective products. Online complaints tend to focus on a lack of product or seller information, discrepancies between advertised and delivered goods, refusal to refund payments, and fraudulent activity. According to the Consumer Protection Committee, 37% of complaints were fully resolved, with one in three consumers receiving compensation. Another 34% received legal advice or clarification, while 23% of complaints were transferred to other government bodies for further investigation.

Retail

Kazakhstan Targets 20% E-Commerce Share by 2030

Kazakhstan aims to increase the share of e-commerce to 20% of total retail trade by 2030, according to Galya-Banu Meirbayeva, Director of the Department of Electronic and Exchange Trade at the Ministry of Trade and Integration. The announcement was made during the international summit “Access to Logistics and Business through E-Commerce,” held recently in Pakistan. Meirbayeva emphasized that advancing e-commerce is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan. She noted that implementing digital solutions, including artificial intelligence and virtual assistants, will improve cross-border trade, enhance customer experiences, and accelerate economic modernization. Over the past five years, Kazakhstan’s e-commerce sector has grown sevenfold, reaching KZT 3.2 trillion (approximately $6.1 billion) in 2024. E-commerce now accounts for 14.1% of the country's retail trade, with more than 8 million active online shoppers, predominantly younger users. “The potential for further growth is huge, and we have set an ambitious goal. By 2030, every fifth purchase in the country should be made online,” a ministry representative stated. National Strategy for E-Commerce Development In March 2025, Kazakhstan approved a national development plan for e-commerce. The plan outlines key priorities: improving legislation, expanding public education initiatives, supporting entrepreneurship, and developing modern logistics infrastructure. Ensuring consumer protection and fair market conditions for all participants are also central goals. The strategy builds on existing momentum, with a focus on equipping the population and businesses for the digital economy. In particular, the government aims to remove regulatory bottlenecks and foster innovation in digital trade. International Engagement and Regional Partnerships Kazakhstan has also been active in promoting digital trade through multilateral platforms such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations (UN), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). In April 2025, Kazakhstan and Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding on e-commerce, marking a step toward deeper strategic cooperation between the two countries. “The exchange of experience and coordination of actions on international platforms will contribute to building a sustainable and inclusive digital trade architecture in the region,” the Ministry of Trade and Integration said in a statement. Earlier, the ministry had set a target of increasing e-commerce to 18% by 2029, as reported by The Times of Central Asia. However, domestic businesses continue to express concern over competitive imbalances. Many argue that foreign e-commerce platforms benefit from favorable tax regimes that disadvantage local companies in Kazakhstan’s domestic market.