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Kazakhstan Legislation Natural disaster Home Insurance high risk Natural Disasters ARDF

Kazakhstan Proposes Mandatory Home Insurance Against Natural Disasters

Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDF) has introduced a draft law that would mandate insurance for residential properties against natural disasters. The proposed legislation, now available for public review on the "Open NPAs" portal, aims to establish a nationwide system of financial protection in the event of earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. A Response to Widespread Risk According to UNICEF, roughly 75% of Kazakhstan’s territory is vulnerable to natural hazards, yet only 3.2% of the country’s housing stock is currently insured. In Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and a high-risk seismic zone, coverage reaches just 7.7%. The ARDF argues that compulsory insurance would help reduce fiscal pressure on the state by ensuring that regions most exposed to natural disasters have a legal safety net. The proposed policy would be regionally tiered based on risk level and priced between 1,000 and 20,000 KZT ($2 to $40) annually, roughly equivalent to the current property tax. Initially, payouts would cover urgent needs, up to 10 million KZT ($20,000), with future provisions extending to repair costs or the purchase of new housing. Subsidies are planned for socially vulnerable populations. The draft also envisions the creation of a dedicated state insurance organization to collect premiums and disburse compensation. The agency believes this model will accelerate post-disaster housing reconstruction and reduce budgetary strain. The proposal is open for public discussion until May 12. If adopted, the law is expected to come into effect in 2026. Drawing Lessons from Turkey The initiative draws heavily on Turkey’s experience, where a similar system has been in place since 2000. As National Bank analyst Janibek Asylbekov explained, both countries face comparable natural and geographic risks. In Turkey, compulsory insurance covers private homes and apartment buildings, with the state playing a central role through an insurance fund that partners with private firms. Asylbekov stressed the importance of leveraging digital technologies to streamline registration and payment processes, suggesting integration with routine systems such as utility billing. He also highlighted the need for public outreach, citing Turkey’s collaboration with its Ministry of Education to promote awareness among schoolchildren. To ensure accessibility, he recommends setting modest initial premiums that vary by region, taking into account local income levels and risk exposure. In Turkey, insurance rates differ based on factors such as property type, age, size, and the number of floors. Discounts are available for policy renewals and for older housing stock.

Investments Agro-Industry Breeding Farm Poultry Industry Alhusaini Group poultry breeding farm project Agriculture Kazakhstan

$85 Million Breeding Farm Project to Boost Kazakhstan’s Poultry Industry

Jordan’s Alhusaini Group has announced plans to invest $85 million in the construction of a state-of-the-art breeding poultry farm in Kazakhstan. With a projected production capacity of up to 100 million hatching eggs per year, the facility will significantly enhance the country’s poultry sector. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and will be completed in stages through 2029. The project was discussed during an April 16 meeting between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, and representatives of Alhusaini Group, according to a government statement. A Strategic Boost for Agro-Industry The new facility is expected to play a key role in strengthening Kazakhstan’s food security and export potential. Approximately 70% of the farm’s production will be allocated for the domestic market, with the remaining 30% designated for export. Minister Saparov highlighted the strategic importance of the project for Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial development and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting its successful implementation. Alhusaini Group, known for its ownership of Al Jazeera Agricultural Company and Al Sidra — both major players in poultry production — will partner with Kazakhstan’s Aitas KZ holding company to bring the project to fruition. Kazakhstan's Poultry Powerhouse Aitas KZ is one of Kazakhstan’s leading poultry producers, supplying around 43% of the domestic market. Its assets include Makinskaya Poultry Farm, the largest in Central Asia, and the Ust-Kamenogorsk Poultry Farm, the oldest in the country, with a combined capacity of 150,000 tons per year. Aitas KZ also operates the Almaty-based Nauryz Agro Breeding Poultry Farm, the largest in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which produces up to 80 million hatching eggs annually for broiler chickens. This new investment is poised to elevate Kazakhstan’s standing in the regional poultry market and promote technological advancement in its agricultural sector.

Kazakhstan to Permit Industrial Hemp Cultivation

Kazakhstan will legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp, with the measure already approved by the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament. The provision is part of a draft law aimed at eliminating unnecessary regulation of internal affairs bodies. Vice Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov confirmed the development during a parliamentary session. According to Adilov, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has already issued four licenses for the cultivation of technical cannabis. The new regulation is designed to enable the use of industrial hemp in manufacturing sectors such as paper, textiles, and construction materials. Industrial Use, Not for Intoxication During discussions in the Mazhilis, some deputies raised concerns about whether the cultivation of hemp might attract drug users or traffickers. Addressing these fears, Adilov emphasized the stark chemical differences between industrial and wild cannabis. “Wild-growing marijuana in the Chui Valley contains more than 15% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while industrial hemp contains just 0.1% to 0.3% THC,” he explained. “As a police officer, I can say this production holds no interest for drug users or traffickers. Industrial hemp cultivation is not prohibited by law.” Adilov noted that one farm in the Kostanay region is already engaged in the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp under one of the existing licenses. Revisiting an Old Idea The concept of using hemp for industrial purposes, particularly in paper production, has been circulating in Kazakhstan for more than a decade. However, past initiatives were not government-led. Roughly ten years ago, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” proposed utilizing hemp to reduce Kazakhstan’s dependency on imported office paper, which costs the country an estimated $100 million annually. Although the proposal was backed by Dariga Nazarbayeva, then Deputy Prime Minister and the eldest daughter of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, it failed to gain broader government support at the time. Now, with the government itself spearheading the effort, the project is being revived with stronger institutional backing. The entire cultivation and processing cycle of industrial hemp will be monitored by anti-narcotics authorities to ensure regulatory compliance and security.

UMAMI steppe spirit kazakh flavors ice-cream Food industry Almaty Food Kazakhstan Culture

Ice Cream Flavored with Kurt, Tara, and Balkaymak Presented in Almaty

An Almaty-based company, UMAMI, has launched a new line of ice cream inspired by traditional Kazakh flavors. The collection features three distinct varieties: kurt, tary, and balkaymak. Balkaymak is a rich, creamy dessert, sometimes prepared with flour and honey, and typically served warm alongside bread or pastries. Tary refers to roasted millet, a staple often enjoyed with tea. Kurt is a protein and mineral-rich dried fermented milk product, deeply rooted in Kazakh culinary heritage. UMAMI’s project aims not only to surprise the palate but also to integrate national gastronomy into a modern context, creating what the team hopes will become a new symbol of Kazakh culture. “You'll find it interesting in your mouth,” promises brand co-founder and technologist Oksana Kim-Flayosk. A Flavor Journey in Every Scoop Among the standout offerings is the cream kurt ice cream, made using authentic kurt. The UMAMI team sampled dozens of variations from different producers before selecting the ideal base. The flavor unfolds in stages: a brackish start, followed by a sour note, and ending in a sweet finish. To elevate the experience, UMAMI recommends serving the kurt ice cream in a baursak, a traditional Kazakh fried dough delicacy. Kim-Flayosk likens this combination to a local version of the Italian dessert maritozzo, where a sweet bun is filled with cream. “We put a ball of ice cream in the baursak, and that's our national version of maritozzo,” she explained. While all three flavors were tested in baursaks, kurt was the undisputed favorite among tasters. Nauryz Roots and Steppe Spirit The Tary & Talkan flavor, originally created for the Nauryz holiday five years ago, was so well received that it earned a permanent spot in UMAMI’s lineup. The recipe combines black tea infused with milk, roasted millet ground into talkan, and a dairy base, evoking the spirit of the Kazakh steppe. The third offering, Balkaymak & Irimshik, is rich and textured, featuring bits of irimshik (a type of curd) to accentuate the contrast between its caramel and creamy elements. “I wanted there to be texture, to be able to chew. First creamy, then caramel, and then creamy again,” said Kim-Flayosk. Prior to finalizing the recipe, UMAMI conducted a public survey to better understand what balkaymak means to different people. Responses varied widely, from cream skimmed from spring milk to a boiled mixture of sour cream, flour, and sugar. Modernizing Tradition Kim-Flayosk emphasized UMAMI’s commitment to preserving and popularizing Kazakh culinary identity. “We are a local brand. We see society’s interest in traditions and want to be part of a culture that popularizes Kazakhstani products,” she said. The company plans to launch souvenir boxes featuring all three flavors in the coming month, offering a gastronomic symbol of Kazakhstan to locals and tourists alike. Non-standard ice cream flavors are increasingly part of a global trend. Around the world, producers are experimenting with combinations like mustard and dill, eel, black pepper, garlic, chili, and even beer. In this diverse international context, UMAMI’s Kazakhstani creations stand out not just for...

Kazakhstan Plans 25% Gas Output Increase by 2030

Kazakhstan aims to significantly increase its natural gas production over the next five years, raising output from 59 billion cubic meters to 74 billion cubic meters by 2030. The announcement was made by Deputy Minister of Energy Alibek Zhamauov during the Energy Trends: Gas & Petrochemicals forum in Astana. Production Growth Driven by Major Fields and New Developments In 2023, Kazakhstan produced 59 billion cubic meters of gas, with output projected to rise to 62.8 billion cubic meters in 2024. This growth will be driven by ongoing production at the country’s largest fields, Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan, as well as the launch of new sources, including the Rozhkovskoye, Anabai, and Urikhtau fields. “Our goal is to increase gas production to 74 billion cubic meters by 2030,” Zhamauov stated. “But the key task is to process gas within the country as efficiently as possible to supply our citizens and industry, as well as to create a raw material base for gas chemistry.” Currently, over 85% of Kazakhstan’s gas production comes from the Tengiz (26%), Karachaganak (41%), and Kashagan (19%) projects. By the end of 2024, marketable gas output is expected to reach 28.7 billion cubic meters, including Tengiz (8.7 bcm), Karachaganak (7.5 bcm), Kashagan (4.7 bcm), Zhanazhol (3.3 bcm), and other fields (3.6 bcm). Of this, 21.2 billion cubic meters (79%) will be consumed domestically, while 5.6 billion cubic meters (21%) will be exported. Zhamauov noted that gas production will increase by 5.9 billion cubic meters, reaching 34.6 billion cubic meters by 2030, due to the introduction of new gas processing plants (GPPs). Two GPPs, with capacities of 1 billion and 2.5 billion cubic meters respectively, will be built at the Kashagan field. A 4 billion cubic meter facility will be developed at Karachaganak, while a plant in Zhanaozen will add another 900 million cubic meters per year. LNG Plant in Astana A liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant with a capacity of 75,000 tons per year is also planned for Astana. Chingiz Cherniyazdanov, director of the Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas (KING), shared details of the project during the forum. “The Astana LNG complex will be located in the capital’s industrial zone,” Cherniyazdanov said. “We will build the first stage with a production capacity of 75,000 tons per year, as well as a hub for LNG storage. Commissioning is scheduled for 2027.” The plant will source feedstock from the Saryarka gas trunkline (Kyzylorda-Zhezkazgan-Temirtau-Astana). A storage facility will be constructed to balance seasonal fuel demand during colder months. KING also plans to use the LNG to launch a vehicle conversion service. Cherniyazdanov added that, following completion of the second string of the Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent gas pipeline, which will double capacity from 15 to 30 billion cubic meters per year, the LNG plant could expand to a second stage, increasing production to 100,000 tons per year. The pipeline expansion will be carried out in two phases: from September 2025 to July 2027, and from August 2027 to January 2029. Expanded Gas Infrastructure and...

President Tokayev: Kazakhstan Prepared for Global Market Turbulence

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has stated that Kazakhstan is prepared to confront the consequences of what he described as one of the most severe global economic crises in recent decades. Speaking at a meeting with the country’s scientific community, Tokayev emphasized that while the international environment is turbulent, there is no reason for panic, noting that Kazakhstan has prior experience in navigating such challenges. “Due to the onset of a ‘tariff war of all against all,’ we are witnessing the breakdown of production and trade chains, the collapse of markets, and heightened volatility in raw material prices. These developments will inevitably affect all nations, including Kazakhstan,” Tokayev warned. Despite these external shocks, he assured that the country will stay the course on its development agenda. All priority infrastructure projects, he confirmed, will continue to receive full financing and will be implemented as planned. In light of growing global uncertainty, Tokayev underlined the fierce competition for investment that lies ahead. “We need to be in very good shape. We must be ready for all scenarios. We must act pragmatically and confidently. Crises are beneficial in that they reveal the presence or absence of managerial talent and give rise to new opportunities,” the president stated. A day earlier, Tokayev had convened a meeting with key figures from the government’s economic and financial sectors to assess the situation following a steep decline in global prices for energy resources and essential commodities. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s economy has recently received a temporary boost thanks to increased demand and rising prices for several key exports. This trend followed the U.S. suspension of additional tariffs on various countries, including Kazakhstan.