TikTok - The Times Of Central Asia

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Business

TikTok to Boost Support for Kazakhstani Entrepreneurs

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, Serik Zhumangarin, met with Sergey Sokolov, Director of Government Relations and Corporate Affairs for TikTok in Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Mongolia, to discuss the platform’s tools for promoting local businesses. During the meeting, TikTok representatives presented findings from a joint study conducted with the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs on the platform’s impact on entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. The survey included over 300 micro and small business owners from 20 regions across the country. According to Raimbek Batalov, Chairman of Atameken, the partnership with TikTok is already producing tangible results. As part of the “One Village, One Product” initiative, entrepreneurs have received training on using digital tools to market their products and grow their sales. “Among companies that post content weekly, one in eight earns more than half of its revenue through the platform. Overall, 63% of businesses report that at least 5% of their annual income is directly tied to TikTok,” Batalov said. In collaboration with the state-backed Damu Fund, plans are underway to expand training programs on TikTok’s digital tools. Batalov noted that the integration of digital solutions remains a key area for the development of small businesses in Kazakhstan. Sergey Sokolov described Kazakhstan as one of the region’s fastest-growing markets and emphasized the platform’s untapped potential in advancing digital entrepreneurship. “We are ready to collaborate with Atameken and state authorities to elevate digital business tools to a new level,” he said. The study highlighted that companies in the creative and service sectors, including hospitality, entertainment, beauty, and wellness, have experienced the strongest results from their TikTok presence. Educational and tourism-related content also shows high growth potential, with Kazakhstani teachers and cultural projects attracting millions of views. Previously, Kazakh officials and TikTok representatives explored opportunities to promote Kazakhstan’s tourism potential to international audiences via the platform.

Children

Kazakh MP Calls for Restrictions on Children’s Access to TikTok

Kazakh MP Murat Abenov has proposed limiting children's access to TikTok, citing concerns over its negative effects on young users’ mental health. He warned that the platform could contribute to depression, reduced concentration, and memory problems, urging parents to monitor their children’s screen time. Abenov referenced a case described by journalist Gulmira Abykay on her Facebook page, where a seven-year-old girl reportedly stopped recognizing her loved ones after excessive exposure to TikTok content. He emphasized that such concerns are backed by research, as TikTok’s algorithm is designed to maximize user engagement by presenting emotionally stimulating or even distressing videos. The MP pointed out that TikTok has already faced regulatory scrutiny in the United States, where efforts have been made to ban it, and in Europe, where restrictions on data collection from minors have been imposed. He argued that Kazakhstan should also consider introducing regulations for such platforms. “TikTok is structured in a way that delivers an emotional surge every 15 seconds, whether admiration, fear, anxiety, or sadness. Studies show that frequent TikTok users are more prone to depression, struggle with academic performance, and face challenges in processing large amounts of information and logical thinking,” Abenov stated. While many countries have imposed restrictions on TikTok, the platform remains widely accessible in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia. However, TikTok has recently taken steps to enhance child protection, expanding its Family Settings feature. This allows parents to set time limits for app use, including restrictions after 10p.m. and during school hours.

Tourism TikTok

TikTok Tourism in Kazakhstan

On June 24, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan Ermek Marzhikpayev met Dmitry Pylev, TikTok’s representative and head of government relations in Central Asia, to discuss the joint success of TikTok and KazakhTourism's promotion of tourism in Kazakhstan via the popular online platform. As reported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the parties focused on the large-scale initiative #GuideAcrossKazakhstan including video guides to attractions, cultural sites, and gastronomic tourism throughout the country. Dmitry Pylev noted that #GuideAcrossKazakhstan, dedicated to domestic tourism, has become TikTok’s most popular segment in Kazakhstan, gathering over 4,000 videos and some 2.5 million users. This is not the first successful project implemented by TikTok in partnership with KazakhTourism. Last year’s launch of #TravelKazakhstan which provided professional guided tours around the country and opportunities for users to share videos of their favourite places, attracted almost 25 million views. Praising the initiatives, the ministry stated that they not only boosted the development of domestic tourism, but also had a significant impact on popularizing Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage internationally.