Arman Shakkaliev conducted an inspection of Karaganda markets
On August 28, 2025, Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, visited the Karaganda region on a working visit, where he got acquainted with the state of trade markets and trade facilities. During the visit, the minister inspected the bazaars, checked the progress of their modernization and discussed measures for the further development of the infrastructure.
According to the Law "On the Regulation of Trade Activities", all markets in the country must be converted into modern stationary facilities by January 1, 2026. This deadline has been postponed three times, so no further delays are envisaged. There are 626 markets in Kazakhstan, 256 of which are subject to modernization. To date, 156 facilities have been transformed, and another 100 markets are planned to be updated in 2025.
In the Karaganda region, five markets are subject to modernization. At the Shygys market, work is on schedule, the facility is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2025. An auto service center and a race track are being built on the territory of the Tulpar market. A project worth 557 million tenge is being implemented at the Gornyak market, and the work is also expected to be completed by the end of the year. The management of the Altyn Arba market intends to build a trading house with an area of over 20 thousand square meters, and the work is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter. The territory of the Kairat market has been returned to state ownership due to the lack of activity.
The Minister noted that the issues of connecting markets to utility networks, coordinating design documentation and financing remain unresolved. He emphasized that market owners bear primary responsibility for completing these tasks and are obliged to meet the established deadlines.
Arman Shakkaliyev also held a meeting with residents and business representatives in Karaganda, as well as a personal reception of citizens. He noted that mechanisms for subsidizing interest rates and guaranteeing loans are in place to support entrepreneurs. Eight projects worth 1.2 billion tenge have already been approved in the Karaganda region, including six investment projects. From 2026, all participants in trade turnover will be required to use the National Catalog of Goods, which will create a "digital mirror of trade" and increase the transparency of processes.
Along with measures of financial support for entrepreneurs, special attention is paid to the development of the region's export potential. Thus, in 2025, 120 Kazakhstani companies were selected within the framework of the Export Acceleration Program, including 10 from the Karaganda region. They are provided with a training program and comprehensive practical support for entering foreign markets. The Ministry of Trade and Integration, together with QazTrade, helps enterprises study foreign markets, find potential partners and receive advice on promoting their products.
Arman Shakkaliyev emphasized that the modernization of markets is under parliamentary control. Owners of facilities who have not completed the work before the deadline will be brought to administrative responsibility, up to and including suspension of the markets.
"Our main task is not just to update retail facilities, but to create comfortable and safe conditions for customers and entrepreneurs. Modernization of markets is directly related to the quality of life of the population and the development of civilized trade,” the minister noted.
According to the results of seven months of 2025, the internal trade turnover of the Karaganda region amounted to 2.38 trillion tenge, which is 6.3% of the republican volume.