The qualification selection for filling vacant staff positions at the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has been completed.
The procedure for the qualification selection of candidates for filling vacant staff positions at the EEC was conducted in accordance with the "Rules for the Qualification Selection of Candidates for Filling Vacant Staff Positions at the Eurasian Economic Commission," approved by Order No. 280-NQ of the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 4, 2022 (the Rules).
Candidate Amanzholova Zh.S. expressed a desire to participate in the qualification selection.
An interview with the candidate was conducted on March 20, 2026, during which knowledge of the institutional foundations of the EAEU, professional level, and compliance with the criteria specified in paragraph 10 of the Rules were assessed.
Based on the results of the interview, the candidate did not receive approval from representatives of the sectoral bodies to obtain a recommendation from the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The next qualification selection will be announced in the second half of 2026.
We note that the absence of a recommendation from the authorized body for candidates does not deprive them of the opportunity to further participate in the competitive selection for filling vacant positions at the EEC.
The question of whether chicken eggs correspond to the weight indicated on the packaging was attempted to be answered by the RSE "Department of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the Zhetysu Region.
Based on an appeal from citizen N., received through the e-request system, the Department registered and conducted an unscheduled inspection at the Branch of LLP "Magnum Cash & Carry" in Taldykorgan regarding the compliance of the mass, characterizing the quantity of alienated products, with the quantity of products indicated on the packaging, including documents confirming the fact of product purchase.
During the unscheduled inspection of the retail outlet, control weighings of eggs from well-known brands ALSAD, AQ-QUS, QARQUS, of the "selected" category, were conducted. According to GOST 31654-2012, the nominal weight for eggs of the "selected" category should fall within the range of 60 to 65 grams. It should be noted that the packaging of the products sold in the retail network also indicates a unit weight of 60-65 grams. To ensure the reliability of the measurement results, a metrology specialist from an accredited laboratory was involved in the inspection.
The results of the control weighings established that eggs from the brands AQ-QUS and QARQUS correspond to the weight indicated on their packaging. Non-compliance with the requirements of the regulatory document was found for eggs of the ALSAD brand. From the batch of eggs available at the start of the unscheduled inspection, 70 units were randomly selected for control weighing; of these, 13 units had a difference from the labeling ranging from minus 0.1 to 2.3 grams. According to the requirements of the regulatory document, the sold batch was deemed not to comply with the requirements indicated on the packaging.
Based on the results of the unscheduled inspection, the Branch of LLP "Magnum Cash & Carry" in Taldykorgan was issued an instruction to eliminate the identified non-compliance. The inspection materials have been sent to the Internal Affairs Department at the location of the manufacturer of the ALSAD brand eggs for consideration within the framework of the current legislation.
Following the trade and economic mission in Qingdao, Kazakh companies reached agreements with Chinese partners totaling $125 million.
Shandong Province is one of China's largest economic regions with a developed industrial base and a capacious consumer market. According to QazTrade, by the end of 2025, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Shandong reached $2.2 billion, having increased by over 40%.
More than 25 Kazakh companies participated in the mission. The main focus was on direct B2B meetings with Chinese importers and distributors.
The Kazakh side presented products from the agro-industrial complex and deep processing. Flour, oil and fat products, honey, dairy products, and confectionery goods generated high interest from Chinese businesses.
During the visit, the Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Arman Shakkaliyev, held meetings with the leadership of Shandong Province and business representatives. Issues of expanding supplies and transitioning from negotiations to specific contracts were discussed. The topic of industrial cooperation was also addressed. The Minister visited the production facilities of Haier, one of the world's largest manufacturers of household appliances.
The year 2026 has been declared the Year of Import of Kazakh Goods in China. In Kazakhstan, it is the Year of Export to China. Against this backdrop, the trade and economic mission in Qingdao became a practical step towards expanding supplies. It was organized by the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan together with Kazakhstan's single export development operator, QazTrade.
As part of an official visit to China, Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev participated in the "Export to China - SCO Selection" forum, which became one of the key platforms for promoting Kazakh exports to the Chinese market.
Opening the forum, the Minister emphasized that Kazakhstan views China as a strategic partner and consistently develops cooperation in trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.
"Under the leadership of our heads of state, Kazakh-Chinese relations have reached the level of an eternal comprehensive strategic partnership, demonstrating steady growth in trade turnover, expansion of investment cooperation, and deepening of industrial cooperation. Today, China is Kazakhstan's largest trading partner, and Kazakhstan, in turn, remains a reliable supplier of energy resources, agricultural products, and raw materials for the Chinese economy.
Over the past three years, bilateral trade turnover has shown steady and dynamic growth. From $41 billion in 2023 to $48.7 billion in 2025.
"Behind these impressive figures lies the high complementarity of the two countries' economies, the pragmatic work of enterprises, as well as significant support from such developed regions of China as Shandong Province," noted Minister Arman Shakkaliyev.
"The 'Export to China' platform creates effective conditions for direct business interaction and access to the market of Shandong Province and China as a whole," he noted.
Also, the Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan held meetings with the leadership of Shandong Province, Deputy Governor Wen Nuan and Mayor of Qingdao City Ren Gang.
During the negotiations, the parties discussed key areas for the development of trade, economic, and investment cooperation, including industrial cooperation, logistics, and the introduction of modern technologies.
As the Minister noted, "Kazakh-Chinese cooperation today is at an unprecedentedly high level and demonstrates steady positive dynamics." According to him, "it is important not only to increase trade volumes but also to ensure its qualitative transformation — with a focus on high value-added products and the development of processing."
Special attention was paid to the implementation of joint investment projects. Kazakhstan confirmed its readiness to create joint productions using advanced and environmentally friendly technologies.
"It is fundamentally important for us that new productions comply with high international environmental standards and contribute to sustainable development," the minister emphasized.
The parties also noted the importance of interregional cooperation. Shandong Province is one of China's leading industrial and trade centers and an important partner of Kazakhstan.
By the end of 2025, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Shandong Province reached $2.2 billion US dollars, demonstrating high growth. The Minister expressed confidence that "the intensification of interregional interaction will give additional impetus to the development of the entire complex of Kazakh-Chinese partnership."
As part of the event, the Minister also visited the national pavilion of Kazakhstan, which showcased products from domestic manufacturers. The exhibition demonstrated the country's export potential and the readiness of Kazakh companies to expand their presence in the Chinese market. The Minister also emphasized the practical focus of the event, noting that "the format of direct dialogue and B2B meetings will allow moving to specific agreements and launching joint projects in the shortest possible time."
During the forum, Kazakhstan's opportunities for increasing non-resource exports, developing e-commerce, and forming sustainable value chains were presented.
In conclusion, the Minister emphasized that Kazakhstan aims to further deepen cooperation with China: "We view China as a key and priority partner and are confident that through joint efforts we can bring our interaction to a qualitatively new level."
The Minister also visited the production facilities of Haier in Qingdao City — one of the world leaders in household appliances and "smart home" digital solutions.
Furthermore, meetings were held with the leadership of leading companies in Shandong Province — Qingdao Dadu Grain Co., Ltd. and RuiXue Global Co., Ltd., during which prospects for the development of investment cooperation, expansion of agricultural product supplies, and implementation of joint projects were discussed, including the creation of modern productions and the introduction of advanced agricultural technologies in Kazakhstan.
It is worth noting separately that already on the first day of the forum, Kazakh companies achieved practical results: agreements were signed with Chinese partners for the supply of products worth about $125 million US dollars, including feed meal, oilseeds, and other agricultural products.
This result is a significant indicator of the platform's effectiveness and demonstrates the high interest of Chinese businesses in Kazakh exports even at the initial stage of the forum.
The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan has summarized the results of the national competition "Sauda in Digital Nauryz", held among trade entities. The event, which took place from March 13 to 20, demonstrated the potential of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in the trade sector.
Participants were evaluated based on five main criteria (use of AI, creativity, national flavor, audience engagement, and quality) using a 100-point system.
Based on the competition results, the following trade entities were recognized as the best: "Best Digital Greeting" — TSUM (Karaganda): highest score — 92 points. The video material was noted for effectively conveying the values of the Nauryz holiday through digital channels and its ability to emotionally engage the audience.
"Best Application of Artificial Intelligence" — "Umai" (Karaganda): 90 points. In the project, AI technologies were used to create visual and interactive content, demonstrating the high potential of modern digital tools.
"Most Creative Digital Project" — the "Small" network: 90 points. The project was recognized as the best for its non-standard format, use of storytelling elements, and unique audience engagement concept.
"Best Digital Design" — "Anvar": 88 points. The retail space was comprehensively designed using screen solutions and visual elements, creating a unified festive atmosphere for visitors.
As noted by ministry representatives, this year participants were active on Instagram, using the hashtag #saudadigitalnauryz, which confirmed that the trade sector is evolving in line with modern digital trends. The awards ceremony for the winners took place on March 23.
National dishes for Kazakhs are not just a festive dastarkhan. Traditional products like kazy, kymyz, kurt, and baursaks are part of everyday life. Today, this gastronomic culture is gradually expanding beyond the country's borders and becoming part of Kazakhstan's export potential.
According to estimates by QazTrade experts, with systematic support, the export of Kazakh national products could reach 50–80 million US dollars by 2028.
Key markets - Russia and China
Russia and China remain among the key markets for Kazakhstan's national products, where more than 2 million representatives of the Kazakh diaspora reside. This creates a stable demand for traditional products. On the Russian market, kurt and kumys are particularly popular.
In China, especially in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, more than 10 million Muslims live, creating a stable demand for halal products. Interest in meat delicacies is growing here. According to QazTrade statistics, the global market for halal meat and delicacies is currently estimated at approximately 2.1 trillion dollars and is growing by about 7% annually.
Export of traditional dairy products is growing
The export of Kazakh traditional dairy products shows steady growth. For example, the export of products including kumys, shubat, and ayran amounted to 13.4 million dollars in 2024 and 17.3 million dollars in 2025. The growth was 29.4%.
The main difficulty in exporting kumys is its shelf life. Genuine chilled kumys lasts only 3-5 days, so delivering it to distant markets is quite challenging. By the time the product reaches another country, it may simply lose its properties. Therefore, producers and technologists are currently seeking solutions. These include pasteurized kumys, which lasts up to 30 days, and also lyophilized kumys powder, essentially dry saumal. Such products are already being supplied to China, although volumes remain small for now.
"Nomadic Gastronomy" as a new export brand
This refers to an entire direction increasingly called "nomadic gastronomy" - the cuisine of steppe culture, based on natural meat and dairy products. Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan's traditional products are gradually finding their niche in foreign markets. What is part of everyday culture for Kazakhs is becoming a new gastronomic discovery for foreign buyers.
"The world's demand for functional food and superfoods is growing, and the Kazakh traditional diet perfectly meets this need. The same kurt is a source of beneficial microelements, and tary and talkan are becoming increasingly recognizable among foreign consumers during trade missions and international exhibitions. Traditional steppe food sells well and is in demand through networks of Kazakh restaurants and cafes abroad. For example, the famous cappuccino with tary, a kind of 'ground steppe coffee,' is already appearing in the USA. It is a simple, accessible, and functional product," noted Aitmukhamed Aldazharov, General Director of QazTrade.
Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev, on the eve of Nauryz celebrations at the ministry, performed the traditional ceremony of cutting the fetters for a small child. The minister wished the baby a bright path and well-being. This event, reviving national traditions, became a symbol of good wishes and respect for the younger generation.
A festive event dedicated to the Nauryz holiday was held at the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The holiday of spring renewal and abundance united the ministry's team and provided an opportunity to honor national traditions.
Ministry employees participated in the festive event, welcoming the holiday of spring and renewal together. As part of the event, a yurt was set up and a dastarkhan with national treats was laid.
Happy Nauryz!
Kazakhstan is exploring opportunities to strengthen its presence in the Mongolian market, including options for opening a trade office in Ulaanbaatar. It could become a platform for promoting domestic products and establishing direct interaction with Mongolian businesses.
In turn, the Mongolian side shows high interest in the Kazakh market and is actively exploring opportunities to expand its presence. In this regard, the parties agreed to discuss with businesses options for creating mutual trade offices, which could become platforms for promoting the products of national producers: Kazakh in Ulaanbaatar and Mongolian in Almaty.
This issue was discussed in Ulaanbaatar as part of the Kazakhstan-Mongolia Trade and Investment Day. The event was attended by First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aizhan Bizhanova, Vice Minister of Economy and Development of Mongolia S. Davaasuren, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Mongolia Almas Seitakynov, as well as representatives of businesses from both countries.
The parties agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture and the food industry. Particular attention was paid to grains and processed products. Kazakhstan is considering the possibility of increasing supplies of barley, flour, oil and fat products, rice, and confectionery to the Mongolian market.
"Kazakhstan is ready to increase supplies of food products, as well as participate in joint projects for the development of livestock farming and processing of agricultural raw materials. We are talking not only about raw material supplies — it is important to build full-fledged processing chains: from meat to products made from wool and leather. This will allow increasing the production of high value-added products and expanding the export potential of our countries. We plan to submit all reached agreements for consideration by the intergovernmental commission, which will take place in April in Astana," said First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aizhan Bizhanova.
According to the results of 2025, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Mongolia exceeded 133 million dollars. At the same time, the parties note that the potential for cooperation is significantly higher. In the future, the volume of mutual trade could reach 500 million dollars.
Kazakh companies, during a business mission in Ulaanbaatar, signed export contracts with Mongolia totaling $62.6 million. The Kazakh delegation was led by First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aizhan Bizhanova.
"We view Mongolia as a promising direction for expanding non-resource exports. The high share of finished products in supplies and the interest of businesses confirm that we are no longer dealing with a trial market, but with an emerging, stable trade direction," noted Aizhan Bizhanova during the business forum in Ulaanbaatar.
By the end of 2025, trade turnover between the countries had tripled. Moreover, over 90% of supplies consist of non-resource finished goods, including food products and industrial goods. This export structure indicates a gradual shift from a raw materials model to supplying products with higher added value.
According to the Vice Minister, an additional impetus for cooperation could be provided by the Interim Trade Agreement between the EAEU and Mongolia, covering approximately 367 commodity items. The document envisages reducing barriers and expanding market access, creating new conditions for exporters and launching joint projects.
"Work is currently underway for it to enter into force, and we expect this to happen in the near future. For our companies, this means more opportunities for export and launching joint projects," she added.
A logical continuation of the cooperation is the utilization of Kazakhstan's transit potential. This opens up opportunities for Mongolia to diversify export routes, reduce product delivery times, and expand access to the markets of the EAEU, the Caucasus, Turkey, and the European Union. Kazakhstan thus strengthens its position as a key transit hub for bringing products to external markets.
The trade mission is taking place on the eve of the visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh to Kazakhstan, which lends additional political weight to the agreements reached.
On March 17 of this year, the Department of Control and Documentation Support of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as part of the implementation of the 2026 Action Plan for the implementation of the Concept for the Development of Language Policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023–2029, held a seminar on the topic "Features of Preparing Documents in the State Language."
Newly hired civil servants of the Ministry participated in this seminar. Furthermore, employees of territorial subdivisions participated online.
During the seminar, participants were briefed on issues related to expanding the scope of use of the state language, as well as the principles of correct and proper formatting of official documents in the state language. Frequently occurring errors in document preparation were also reviewed, with specific examples provided on how to prevent them.
As part of the event, methodological assistance and practical recommendations were provided to the participants. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions of interest and received appropriate answers.
This seminar aims to enhance the status of the state language, expand its application in office work, and improve the language competence of employees.