Kazakhstan Prepares Comprehensive Program for Light Industry Development
The Kazakh government has commissioned the development of a comprehensive program aimed at strengthening the country’s light industry sector, with the goal of creating new jobs and increasing production. The instruction was issued by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin to the Ministry of Industry and Construction during a meeting of the government headquarters responsible for ensuring economic growth. “Light industry is very important for us in terms of providing employment,” Zhumangarin said. “For example, the Turkestan region, the most densely populated region of the country, has the largest number of light industry enterprises. Further development of the sector will make it possible to create jobs and provide decent wages for the local population.” According to the Ministry of Industry and Construction, Kazakhstan’s light industry has demonstrated steady growth over the past five years. By the end of 2025, output in the sector had increased by 13.2%, well above the planned growth rate of 3%, reaching $522 million. Despite these positive trends, the sector’s share of Kazakhstan’s manufacturing industry remains relatively small at around 0.8%. More than 60% of production comes from textiles, approximately 32% from clothing, and about 6.5% from footwear and leather goods. More than 97% of enterprises in the sector are small businesses. Participants in the meeting also highlighted several systemic challenges that require comprehensive solutions. These include developing the domestic raw material base, modernizing production facilities, improving regulated procurement mechanisms, and expanding financial support for the industry. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also considering projects to cultivate and process industrial hemp for use in the textile sector.
