Astana, October 17, 2026 – As part of the official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to Kazakhstan, an exchange of document folders containing a Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia took place at the Akorda Presidential Residence.
The document exchange ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Manet.
The Memorandum was signed by Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev and Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia Cham Nimul. It aims to strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties, expand business relations, and establish effective cooperation between the two countries.
The document provides for the development of cooperation in trade and investment, small and medium-sized enterprises, transport and logistics, agriculture, energy, digitalization, technical regulation, and other promising areas.
Particular emphasis is also placed on expanding direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries, exchanging experience, organizing joint events, and implementing mutually beneficial projects.
The signing of the Memorandum will provide additional momentum for increasing bilateral trade, expanding investment ties, and further strengthening the economic partnership between Kazakhstan and Cambodia.
Ahead of Republic Day, a large-scale nationwide shopping campaign will kick off across Kazakhstan. Starting October 17, the Republic Day and Bereke Fest promotions will take place in all regions of the country, offering consumers discounts of 10% to 50% on food products and other essential goods.
The biggest discounts and special offers will be available from October 21 to 27. During this period, shopping malls and retail stores will offer holiday discounts, special prices, and various promotional deals.
Major shopping malls and retail chains across the country will participate in the campaign. In Astana, the Republic Day promotion will include MEGA Silk Way, Khan Shatyr. In Almaty, participating malls will include MEGA Alma-Ata, MEGA Park, and Forum Almaty. In Shymkent, the campaign will feature Mega Planet and Shymkent Plaza.
Special offers under Bereke Fest will also be available at Magnum, SMALL, Astykzhan, and GraMad retail stores.
The campaign is organized by the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan in cooperation with local executive authorities. Its goal is to give residents the opportunity to purchase essential goods at affordable prices ahead of the holiday, support consumer demand, and stimulate domestic trade. Particular attention will also be given to promoting products made by domestic manufacturers and expanding their market reach.
The full list of participating shopping malls and stores will be published on the official websites of regional administrations.
The Republic Day and Bereke Fest promotions will run until October 27.
For additional information, please refer to the links provided below:
Press Service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan
“From January to August 2026, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Switzerland amounted to USD 1,120.9 million, which is 19.3% higher than in the same period last year.”
This was announced by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation, Ms. Christina Honegger.
The meeting took place ahead of the Minister’s upcoming working visit to the Swiss Confederation. The 12th meeting of the Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation is scheduled to take place in Bern on October 22. The parties discussed strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties, as well as prospects for expanding mutual trade and investment cooperation.
During the first eight months of this year, Kazakhstan’s exports to Switzerland increased by 15.4%, reaching USD 820.5 million.
According to the Minister, Kazakhstan has the potential to increase exports of processed goods to Switzerland across 30 product categories. The most promising sectors include metallurgy, food processing, petrochemicals, mechanical engineering and chemicals. Potential export products include aluminium, rolled steel, ferroalloys, sunflower oil, flour, pasta and confectionery.
In turn, Swiss Ambassador Christina Honegger supported the Minister’s position and expressed Switzerland’s commitment to further strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries.
It is worth noting that Switzerland is one of Kazakhstan’s largest investors. Over the past 20 years, Swiss investment in Kazakhstan has exceeded USD 36 billion. Today, around 400 companies with Swiss capital operate in the country.
On October 14, 2026, a roundtable dedicated to World Standards Day was held in Astana. Participants discussed the development of the national standardization system, support for domestic manufacturers, the introduction of innovative technologies, and the expansion of Kazakhstan’s export potential.
During the meeting, the results of work in the field of standardization were presented, and key priorities for the sector’s further development were identified.
As Zhanna Yessenbekova, Chair of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted, the role of standardization is growing significantly and is becoming one of the key instruments of the country’s technological and economic development.
“Today, standardization is no longer just a system of requirements for finished products. It is becoming a tool for technological development and for supporting production, investment, and access to new markets. We are moving from standards that formalize established practices to standards that proactively create the conditions for technological advancement,” Zhanna Yessenbekova emphasized.
One of the key priorities remains providing support for investment projects at their early stages. During production planning, companies receive assistance in refining technical requirements, selecting standards, and identifying the infrastructure needed to ensure quality.
In the petrochemical sector, a standard for multilayer polyethylene film is being developed, taking into account modern production technologies. The meeting also addressed KazStandard’s involvement in preparing the regulatory framework for Alatau City.
Particular attention is being paid to the quality and safety of products and services used in everyday life. Standards have been adopted for video surveillance systems, the refrigerated and frozen transportation of goods with temperature monitoring, and electronic medical records and documentation. Standards have also been approved for electric vehicle charging stations. These standards establish requirements for verification and metrological support to ensure reliable measurement and accounting of the electricity supplied.
The regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI) and scientific activities is also being developed. In 2025, seven national standards in the field of AI were approved for the first time. They cover architecture, data, risk management, and privacy.
In 2026, the standard “Scientific Research and Introduction into Production” was adopted. It addresses the assessment of technological readiness of developments, the digitalization of research, and the principles governing the handling of scientific data.
It should be noted that the Unified Fund of Regulatory and Technical Documents currently contains 76,174 documents, including 9,789 national standards. The implementation rate of national standards stands at 74%.
Kazakhstan has approved a national standard for pasteurized camel milk. The standard establishes uniform product requirements and aims to help domestic enterprises expand their product range and develop exports. The document will come into force on November 1, 2026.
The national standard ST RK 4050-2026, “Pasteurized Camel Milk. Technical Specifications,” was approved by Order No. 41-NQ of September 11, 2026, issued by the Chair of the Technical Regulation and Metrology Committee of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The document was developed by the Kazakhstan Institute of Standardization and Metrology (KazStandard) under the National Standardization Plan for 2026. The applicant was Antigen Research and Production Company LLP.
In Kazakhstan, camel milk has traditionally been used to produce fermented dairy drinks such as shubat and kymyran. Over the past 15–20 years, global interest in camel milk has grown, along with the range of products made from it.
Camel milk is used to produce ice cream and confiture, as well as in coffee-based drinks. For example, it can be used to prepare camelccino, a camel-milk version of cappuccino. Pasteurized camel milk is used in the production of such products.
The new standard establishes requirements for product quality and safety, labelling, packaging, transportation and storage. It also defines common terminology, product classifications and indicators for assessing product characteristics.
The standard will enable producers to expand their product range for domestic and international markets. The countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, China and the Middle East are considered promising export destinations.
The introduction of uniform requirements is intended to support Kazakhstani producers and strengthen their competitiveness. Developing this sector will also help diversify exports and increase the international recognition of Kazakhstan’s camel-milk products.
Since September 19, agricultural fairs under the “Dala Dami” initiative have been held in all regions of Kazakhstan to support domestic producers and provide the population with affordable food products. More than 13,000 tonnes of produce have been sold during the first three weeks. The fairs take place on weekends and will continue regularly throughout the year.
This week alone, the fairs held across the country offered 3,500 tonnes of food products. The largest share consisted of vegetables and melons, at 1,700 tonnes, followed by meat and meat products at 785 tonnes, and dairy products at 285 tonnes. The fairs also offer poultry, fish, fruit and berries, dry groceries, flour, bread, pasta and other food products.
Thanks to direct deliveries from domestic farmers and a reduction in the number of intermediaries, prices at the fairs are approximately 20% lower than the market average. These trading platforms also give agricultural producers across the country additional opportunities to sell their products, establish direct contact with consumers and strengthen interregional trade ties.
This weekend, residents and visitors of Astana will be able to purchase products supplied by agricultural producers from the Turkistan and West Kazakhstan regions. More than 600 tonnes of agricultural products have been delivered to the capital. These include 60 tonnes of meat and meat products, 260 tonnes of vegetables and fruit, and more than 60 tonnes of dairy products from the Turkistan Region. Producers from the West Kazakhstan Region will offer nearly 50 tonnes of meat and meat products, 80,000 eggs, 11 tonnes of fish products and other agricultural goods.
Holding these fairs in the capital creates additional sales opportunities for regional producers and helps strengthen interregional trade ties. At the same time, the fairs enable consumers to purchase high-quality domestic products at affordable prices.
Rome, October 7, 2026 – As part of his working visit to the Italian Republic, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliev chaired the 10th meeting of the Intergovernmental Kazakhstan–Italy Working Group on Industrial and Economic Cooperation and Exchanges, as well as a series of meetings with the heads of Italian companies and business associations.
The Italian side at the Working Group meeting was headed by Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic. The sides reviewed progress in implementing previously reached agreements and discussed further expansion of trade, economic and investment cooperation. Particular attention was paid to diversifying bilateral trade, developing industrial cooperation, implementing joint investment projects, and strengthening cooperation in energy, transport and logistics, the agro-industrial sector and other promising areas.
In 2025, bilateral trade amounted to approximately USD 16.9 billion. In January–July 2026, trade turnover reached USD 9.79 billion, including approximately USD 9 billion in Kazakhstan’s exports and USD 789.6 million in imports from Italy. At the same time, Italian exports to Kazakhstan increased by 13.5%.
One of the key priorities identified by the sides was further diversification of bilateral trade and expansion of supplies of higher value-added products. According to the Kazakh side, the potential for additional exports of Kazakh products to the Italian market is estimated at approximately USD 307.5 million. Significant opportunities exist in metallurgy, petrochemicals, food and chemical industries, mechanical engineering and other sectors.
An important practical platform for strengthening business ties is the Kazakhstan–Italy Trade House, opened in Almaty in February 2026. The platform is focused on promoting exports, supporting investment projects, developing industrial cooperation and establishing direct contacts between businesses from the two countries.
Investment cooperation was another key area of discussion. To promote joint projects, the sides expressed interest in making greater use of the opportunities offered by the Astana International Financial Centre and expanding cooperation between financial institutions and business communities of the two countries.
Considerable attention was also paid to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) as a reliable and efficient multimodal corridor connecting Central Asia and Europe. Kazakhstan invited Italian railway and logistics companies to participate in joint projects using the capabilities of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk. In the energy sector, the sides confirmed their interest in further developing cooperation in traditional areas.
In the agro-industrial sector, the sides discussed prospects for cooperation in crop production, grain processing and livestock farming. They agreed to continue efforts to increase the level of localization and develop the component base, with a view to integrating Kazakh-made components into global supply chains.
The sides also agreed to expand cooperation in environmental protection and sustainable water resource management, tourism and sports, culture and education. Particular attention will be given to climate initiatives, energy efficiency, decarbonization, the introduction of modern engineering and digital solutions in water management, as well as the development of professional and educational exchanges.
The business programme of the visit served as a practical continuation of the Working Group’s agenda. The key focus of meetings with Italian companies was to expand practical cooperation between businesses in Kazakhstan and Italy – from promoting Kazakh products and establishing direct commercial ties to attracting investment and technology and implementing joint projects.
A significant part of the discussions focused on attracting Italian and European businesses to investment and industrial projects in Kazakhstan. During meetings with representatives of Blacktrace and Value Partners, the sides explored opportunities to develop a concrete project pipeline and attract investors, technology providers and engineering partners. Potential areas included the deep processing of critical minerals and rare earth metals, development of logistics infrastructure along the Middle Corridor, water-saving technologies, data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
At the same time, the Kazakh side emphasized that its interest extends beyond attracting investment and contractors to deeper industrial cooperation, including localization of engineering expertise and technologies, greater involvement of domestic contractors, workforce training and a gradual increase in local content. As a next practical step, the sides proposed identifying several pilot projects and developing specific cooperation models for them.
Another important area of the business programme was the creation of new channels for Kazakh producers to enter the Italian market. During talks with Crai Mediterranea, the sides discussed the possibility of direct supplies of Kazakh food products to Italian retail chains. Promising categories include vegetable oils, honey, confectionery, grain and flour products, pulses and organic products. As a practical mechanism, the sides proposed launching a pilot shelf featuring Kazakh products in selected stores, followed by an expansion of supplies through the Gruppo CRAI network. The possibility of producing goods by Kazakh companies under the Italian group’s private-label brands was also discussed.
The export agenda continued during talks with ASSOEBIOS, which represents Italian electricity sector operators working with sustainable bioliquids. The Italian side expressed interest in purchasing Kazakh agricultural raw materials for further processing and use in bioenergy. There is potential for supplies of oilseeds and their processed products, including sunflower, rapeseed and vegetable oils.
Alongside major investment and export initiatives, the sides discussed opportunities to introduce new technology-driven business models to the Kazakh market. With CoolXp, they explored the possibility of using Kazakhstan as a pilot market for the subsequent expansion of the company’s business across Central Asia. At the initial stage, the sides proposed testing the company’s equipment in Astana and Almaty. Subject to achieving the required volumes, the parties may subsequently consider the gradual localization of service maintenance, consumables and selected components.
The issue of systematic cooperation between entrepreneurs from the two countries was also discussed with the leadership of the Italy–Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce. The sides highlighted the importance of expanding direct business contacts, supporting Kazakh companies in entering the Italian market and further strengthening ties between the business communities of Kazakhstan and Italy.
Following the meetings, the sides agreed to move the initiatives discussed towards practical implementation by identifying specific projects and potential partners, arranging direct negotiations between companies and continuing work on possible cooperation formats. The Ministry of Trade and Integration, together with QazTrade, is ready to facilitate the necessary contacts with government agencies, development institutions and Kazakh businesses to further implement the agreements reached.
On October 6, 2026, the Agreement on Economic Partnership between the Eurasian Economic Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the United Arab Emirates, on the other hand (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”), entered into force.
Reference: The Agreement was signed on June 27, 2025, in St. Petersburg. The Agreement was ratified by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 8, 2026, No. 338-VIII ZRK.
The main objective of the Agreement is the mutual elimination and reduction of import customs duties on more than 85% of the product nomenclature, as well as the facilitation of trade between the parties.
The opening of the Emirati market will enable Kazakhstani exporters to supply the UAE duty-free with such categories of agricultural and industrial products as lamb, dried leguminous vegetables, chicken meat, beef, other food products, sweetened mineral water, wheat flour, and confectionery products. Industrial goods include oil and petroleum products, refined copper, hot-rolled flat products, cold-rolled flat products, bars, cranes, valves, parts of machinery and equipment, pumps, and others.
In addition to the elimination and reduction of import customs duties, the Agreement contains provisions on customs cooperation, trade remedies, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade (TBT), sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), intellectual property, as well as relevant chapters on legal and institutional matters and agreements aimed at developing sectoral cooperation, enhancing interaction between small and medium-sized enterprises, e-commerce, and other areas.
The establishment of a comprehensive preferential trade regime and the regulation of a broad range of issues under the Agreement will help unlock the potential of mutual trade and bring Kazakhstan–UAE trade and economic relations to a qualitatively new level.
The full text is available on the website: https://eec.eaeunion.org .
Work on developing cross-border trade and logistics hubs in Kazakhstan is continuing and gradually moving from the planning stage to concrete implementation. The focus is no longer limited to building infrastructure along the borders: projects are now moving into the construction of production facilities, attraction of investment, launch of new logistics capacities and the development of initial cargo flows. The Ministry of Trade and Integration is coordinating work on five key hubs designed to strengthen Kazakhstan’s trade ties with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, China and the Caspian region. Their development is expected to streamline logistics procedures for businesses and contribute to increasing non-commodity exports to 30%.
The most visible progress is being made in the eastern direction. At the Khorgos – Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the number of projects has increased from 14 in 2022 to 69, while the volume of attracted investment has grown from KZT 340 billion to KZT 652.8 billion. Today, 40 projects worth KZT 75 billion are being implemented, creating 864 jobs. In the first half of 2026 alone, nine new participants were registered, with investments totaling KZT 9.3 billion and 230 jobs to be created. During the same period, the value of manufactured products reached KZT 12.7 billion, up 74% compared with the same period in 2025.
The infrastructure at Khorgos is also expanding. The SEZ already has an inland dry port with an annual capacity of 540,000 containers, as well as a 25,000-square-metre Class A warehouse complex. Two more major logistics projects are currently at the design stage. By 2028, 28 projects worth KZT 577.7 billion are planned for implementation, creating around 2,800 jobs. Among the largest initiatives are the Kazakhstan–China International Industrial City industrial park, valued at KZT 330 billion, and an international passenger and cargo airport worth KZT 250 billion.
In southern Kazakhstan, projects are also moving into practical implementation. At the Central Asia International Center for Industrial Cooperation, fencing of the 100-hectare site has been completed, while internal roads and engineering infrastructure are under construction. External construction and installation works have been completed, and commissioning activities are now underway. Internal engineering infrastructure is 55% complete, with the remaining works scheduled for completion in December 2026. The local akimat has already fully completed the construction of eight production buildings, while the investment project pipeline for the center has reached KZT 89.4 billion. Construction has already begun on one of the largest projects — an industrial park worth KZT 75.3 billion.
In the Zhambyl Region, the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex was granted Special Economic Zone status in April 2026. A 165-hectare site has been allocated for the project, and a programme for connecting the complex to engineering networks has been developed. Construction of the first-stage substation began this year. Of the KZT 12 billion allocated for these purposes, around KZT 4 billion has been provided in 2026, with the remaining funds planned for next year. At the same time, preparations for the site and the complex’s infrastructure are continuing.
The western direction is also undergoing active development. The Eurasia Cross-Border Trade Center in the West Kazakhstan Region covers 281 hectares. Part of the external engineering infrastructure has already been completed, including gas, electricity, water supply and wastewater systems. Projects are being implemented in the industrial zone for the production of asphalt concrete, recycling of automotive tires, manufacturing of aerated concrete products and construction of a gas-turbine power plant. At the same time, work is underway to establish the Eurasia Special Economic Zone, which is expected to create additional conditions for attracting investment and localizing production.
The Caspian region is seeing its own progress. Practical operations at the Aktau International Container Hub have already begun at the Port of Aktau: the first container train arrived on July 14, 2026. To date, 233 containers, equivalent to 444 TEUs, have been received. The project is being implemented in stages and is expected to increase the port’s annual container handling capacity to 240,000 TEUs, compared with the current 70,000 TEUs.
Another major facility in the Caspian hub is the container terminal at the ERSAI Industrial Port. Construction is approximately 85% complete. Ten kilometers of internal port railway tracks have already been built, while the container yard and crane tracks are nearing completion. The terminal is scheduled to be commissioned on October 1, 2026. Once it reaches full capacity, it will be able to handle up to 120,000 TEUs annually and accommodate up to 300 vessels per year. Private investment in the project exceeds KZT 15 billion.
Overall, the five cross-border hubs are gradually forming an integrated infrastructure network designed to connect Kazakh businesses with the major markets of neighboring countries. In some locations, production facilities are already operating; in others, the first container trains have arrived, while elsewhere engineering infrastructure is nearing completion and construction of new facilities is getting underway. The next stage will be to bring these projects to full capacity, expand the investor base and further increase trade and transit volumes across Kazakhstan’s borders.
For the third consecutive week, agricultural fairs under the “Dala Dami” initiative are being held across Kazakhstan. With the support of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, domestic farmers are selling their products directly to consumers, without intermediaries.
This week, the fairs across the country feature 7,568 tonnes of agricultural products. In Astana, the total volume exceeds 400 tonnes.
Prices at the fairs remain affordable. Last week, a number of products were sold at prices 15–20% lower than market levels. For example, in Astana, a kilogram of beef and horse meat was offered at KZT 3,500, while in Kostanay, beef was priced at KZT 3,200–3,500 per kilogram, and horse meat and lamb started from KZT 3,000 per kilogram.
This weekend, farmers from the East Kazakhstan and Aktobe regions are presenting their products in the capital.
The fairs offer a wide range of locally produced goods, including meat and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, fish, grains and other products. Meat products remain particularly popular among consumers.
A key feature of the “Dala Dami” fairs is that farmers can sell their products directly to consumers. Trading spaces are provided free of charge to local agricultural producers.
The “Dala Dami” fairs are held in all regions of the country every weekend.