Legality and Openness – Conditions for Attracting Investment Consistent compliance with legislation and transparency in business relations are essential for creating a favorable investment climate.
The development of tourism infrastructure, the creation of new accommodation facilities, the organization of tour routes, and the introduction of modern services open up additional opportunities for entrepreneurship and job creation.
Promoting the principles of "Law and Order" contributes to the formation of a business environment based on trust, responsibility, and respect for the rights of market participants. This is especially important for the implementation of long-term projects aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the East Kazakhstan Region.
A Common Cause – A Safe and Attractive Region Promoting the "Law and Order" concept requires joint efforts from government agencies, business representatives, public organizations, residents, and guests of the region.
The Department of Tourism and Investments of East Kazakhstan Region supports the promotion of the principles of legality, social responsibility, and careful attitude toward tourism resources as key components of the sustainable development of the industry.
Law and order is not only about following established rules, but also a culture of mutual respect, trust, and responsibility. By creating a safe environment, we strengthen the tourism potential of East Kazakhstan and establish the conditions for attracting investment.
The East Kazakhstan Region possesses significant tourism and investment potential. Unique natural landscapes, picturesque mountain ranges, lakes, historical and cultural heritage, and opportunities for year-round tourism development create favorable conditions for attracting visitors and implementing new investment projects.
An important condition for the sustainable development of the region is the promotion of the "Law and Order" principle, aimed at strengthening legal culture, ensuring public safety, and fostering a responsible attitude toward the environment and public spaces.
Safety – The Foundation of Tourist Trust A comfortable and safe environment is one of the key factors influencing the choice of a tourist destination. Visitors to the region should be able to explore sights freely, visit natural sites, use tourism services, and enjoy positive experiences during their stay in East Kazakhstan.
Compliance with legislation, respect for public order, responsible behavior on tourist routes, and care for natural areas contribute to building a positive image for the region.
Promoting the "Law and Order" concept in the tourism industry involves raising awareness among travelers, supporting honest market participants, and developing a culture of responsible tourism.
On October 13, 2026, a meeting of the Regional Investment Headquarters was held under the chairmanship of Bakytzhan Bayakhmetov, Deputy Akim of East Kazakhstan Region.
The meeting addressed the updating of the National Investment Pool and the inclusion of new projects planned for implementation in the region.
The projects presented by investors cover several key sectors of the economy.
Energy. The construction of four small hydropower plants is planned in the Katon-Karagay District.
Industry and construction materials. A project to construct a production line for manufacturing clinker using the dry-process method was presented for the Altai District.
Food industry. The projects include the reconstruction of a flour-milling complex in Ust-Kamenogorsk, fish processing, and the development of fish stocking material production in the Kurchum District.
Warehouse infrastructure. A modern warehouse for storing finished flour products is planned for construction in Ust-Kamenogorsk.
Oil and gas. A project for the development and production of Permian oil deposits at the Sarybulak field in the Zaysan District was presented.
Following the meeting, the East Kazakhstan Region Tourism and Investment Department, together with relevant sectoral departments and district and city akimats, was tasked with developing project roadmaps in cooperation with investors and taking measures to include the projects in the investment pool.
East Kazakhstan Region has announced the results of the 5th International Festival of Traditional Hunting with Birds of Prey, “Shygys Salburyny – 2026,” held at the Burkit Tobe site. This year, the event was held for the first time as the 1st Asian Cup in kusbegilik, bringing together a large number of participants and guests from around the world.
The major ethnocultural event brought together 176 eagle hunters and masters of the traditional art of hunting with birds of prey from 10 countries:
Kazakhstan
Hungary
China
Mongolia
Russia
Türkiye
Uzbekistan
Kyrgyzstan
Spain
Georgia
The festival recorded a record attendance, with approximately 15,000 spectators visiting the Burkit Tobe venue. The event also attracted considerable interest from international travellers. Tourists from Germany, Austria, the United States, India and Hungary visited the ethno-village as part of organised and private tourist groups.
Over three days, masters of traditional hunting demonstrated their skills in hunting with golden eagles, falcons (itelgi) and hawks (karshyga), as well as in races featuring Kazakh Tazy sighthounds.
Golden Eagle Hunting: Following the final rounds, the main awards of the 1st Asian Cup went to representatives of Zhambyl, Turkistan and Karaganda regions.
Falcon Hunting (Itelgi): Tөlegenuly Temirali from Karaganda Region won the gold medal, while Serikbekuly Erasyl from Astana took silver.
Hawk Hunting (Karshyga): The first place was awarded to Makhmudkhan Zaki from Turkistan Region.
Tazy Racing: Erzhan Zhaiyk from Ust-Kamenogorsk won the competition with his Tazy hound named Karauyz.
As part of the festival, an ethno-village featuring handicraft exhibitions, traditional Kazakh cuisine and a vibrant concert programme welcomed visitors. The event marked an important step in promoting East Kazakhstan Region’s tourism potential internationally and preserving its intangible cultural heritage.
“The growing number of participants and the arrival of tourists from Europe and the Americas demonstrate that the Salburyn tradition is becoming a recognisable brand of East Kazakhstan, attracting international attention to nomadic culture,” the East Kazakhstan Region Tourism Department noted.
On October 9, 2026, Nury mbet Saktaganov, Akim of East Kazakhstan Region, took part in a meeting of the Investment Attraction Council chaired by Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The meeting addressed systemic issues related to improving the investment climate, enhancing cooperation with investors and ensuring the implementation of investment projects.
Regional Investment Performance
According to the results of the first eight months of 2026, investment in fixed capital in East Kazakhstan Region amounted to KZT 511 billion. The physical volume index reached 104.6%.
The region's investment portfolio comprises 103 projects with a total value of KZT 1.5 trillion. Their implementation is expected to create more than 12,000 jobs.
The largest shares of the investment portfolio are represented by projects in energy, tourism, mining and metallurgy, and the agro-industrial sector.
In 2026, 16 investment projects with a total value of KZT 30 billion were commissioned in the region.
Developing the Region's Investment Potential
East Kazakhstan Region continues to attract domestic and foreign investment, create favourable conditions for doing business and provide support for investment projects at all stages of implementation.
Particular attention is given to developing priority economic sectors, expanding the region's investment opportunities and creating new jobs.
The Tourism and Investment Department of East Kazakhstan Region continues its efforts to promote the region's investment potential, engage with prospective investors and facilitate the implementation of promising projects, including those in the tourism sector.
On October 8, 2026, a meeting was held in Ust-Kamenogorsk between Nury mbet Saktaganov, Akim of East Kazakhstan Region, and Sailas Thangal, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The parties discussed promising areas of cooperation in tourism, industry and investment attraction.
Developing International Air Connectivity
One of the key topics was the possibility of launching a direct Delhi–Ust-Kamenogorsk flight. Direct air connectivity could help increase tourist arrivals from India, expand business contacts and strengthen the region’s international ties.
East Kazakhstan Region has significant tourism potential. Its unique natural landscapes, cultural and historical heritage, and opportunities for ethnographic, health and adventure tourism create favourable conditions for attracting international visitors. The Katon-Karagay and Markakol districts are of particular interest.
Industrial Cooperation and Investment
The meeting also addressed prospects for cooperation in critical minerals and rare earth metals, as well as opportunities to collaborate with the Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant.
Particular attention was given to attracting Indian investment and technology, expanding exports of East Kazakhstan products to the Indian market, and establishing direct business ties between the parties.
Cooperation with India is considered a promising avenue for expanding the region’s international partnerships. Joint initiatives in tourism, industry and investment could strengthen economic ties and contribute to the further development of East Kazakhstan.
The Tourism and Investment Department of East Kazakhstan Region continues its efforts to promote the region’s tourism potential, expand international cooperation and create favourable conditions for implementing promising investment projects.
Kazakhstan has introduced amendments to the regulatory legal acts governing the provision of certain state support measures to business entities operating in the tourism sector.
The amendments were introduced by Order No. 146 of the Acting Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 31, 2026, “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Orders,” registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan on August 3, 2026, under No. 39473.
Under the Order, the rules for providing a number of state support measures have been revised, including support for the maintenance of sanitary and hygienic facilities, construction of roadside service facilities, acquisition of tourist vehicles, as well as construction and reconstruction of visitor centers and tourist accommodation facilities.
The amendments are aimed at clarifying the conditions for obtaining state support, establishing requirements for facilities and vehicles, and improving the procedures for reviewing applications and subsequent monitoring.
The procedure for subsidizing part of the costs incurred by business entities for the maintenance of sanitary and hygienic facilities (SHFs) located at tourist resources and along routes leading to them has been updated.
The new version clarifies the definition of a sanitary and hygienic facility. SHFs include landscaped standalone stationary or mobile structures located at tourist resources and/or along routes leading to them, along highways, within specially protected natural areas, or as part of a roadside service facility.
The concept of a “functioning SHF cabin” has also been introduced. It means a cabin accessible for its intended use and equipped in a manner that ensures its operation in accordance with the established requirements.
A specific list of eligible expenses has been established. These include costs directly related to ensuring the operation of SHFs and maintaining appropriate sanitary conditions, including:
Costs associated with the construction, reconstruction and major repair of SHFs are not eligible for subsidies.
Specific requirements have also been established for SHFs whose maintenance is subject to subsidization.
In particular, the facility must actually be operational and comply with the established sanitary and technical requirements. An SHF must have at least three functioning cabins, including facilities for men and women, as well as a cabin accessible to persons with disabilities.
The subsidy is provided in the amount of KZT 83,300 per month within the established subsidy period.
The monitoring procedure has also been strengthened. During the review of applications, submitted documents may be verified, additional information may be requested where necessary, and compliance of the SHF with the established requirements may be checked.
If violations are identified, the business entity is given an opportunity to rectify them within the prescribed period. If the violations are not remedied, the SHF may be removed from the relevant list and subsidization may be terminated.
Thus, state support is provided based not only on the existence of a facility, but also on its actual operation and compliance with the established requirements.
The amendments also cover state support for the construction of roadside service facilities.
The new version of the rules establishes a list of facilities whose construction may serve as a basis for reimbursement, as well as requirements applicable to such facilities.
The list includes, among others:
State support is provided for facilities located at tourist resources and/or along routes leading to them, along roads of national and/or local significance.
To receive reimbursement, a business entity must submit the required package of documents, including documents confirming rights to the facility, the facility commissioning certificate, design and design-estimate documentation with a positive expert assessment, as well as information required under the rules.
The requirement to provide information on the dynamics of growth in value-added tax over the previous two years remains in place. This requirement does not apply to entities that are not VAT payers, as well as to entities operating for less than three years in the cases provided for by the rules.
The reimbursement amount is 10% of the cost of construction of the facility, determined in accordance with the established rules.
The new version also establishes specific requirements for the roadside service facility itself.
The facility must:
Thus, reimbursement is linked not only to the fact that construction has been carried out, but also to the subsequent actual operation of the facility and its compliance with the established requirements.
The rules for reimbursing part of the costs incurred by business entities engaged in tourism activities for the purchase of motor vehicles with more than eight passenger seats, excluding the driver's seat, have been updated.
The amount of state support remains at 25% of the cost of the vehicle.
At the same time, the requirements for vehicles eligible for reimbursement have been clarified.
In particular, the vehicle must be no more than five years old, including the year of manufacture, and must not have previously been used for business activities.
Restrictions have also been established for certain types of vehicles. Vehicles with special controls, including fully hand-operated controls, as well as right-hand-drive vehicles, are not eligible for reimbursement.
In addition, requirements for confirming the actual use of the purchased vehicle in tourism activities have been strengthened.
Under the new version, documents and information confirming the use of the vehicle for providing tourism services must be submitted, including relevant contracts, waybills and other documents stipulated by the rules.
Photo and video materials of the vehicle must also be provided.
After receiving state support, the business entity is required to comply with the established conditions for the use of the vehicle. Subsequent monitoring of its use in tourism activities is also предусмотрено.
Thus, the state support measure is aimed at upgrading and developing the transport infrastructure of the tourism sector, provided that the purchased vehicles are actually used to serve tourists.
Amendments have also been introduced to the rules for reimbursing part of the costs incurred by business entities for the construction and reconstruction of visitor centers and tourist accommodation facilities.
The new version specifies the list of facilities covered by this state support measure.
The concept of a visitor center has been introduced. A visitor center is a tourism facility represented by a building, structure or premises intended to provide information about tourism potential and offer tourism services.
The concept of tourist accommodation facilities has also been clarified. These include hotels, motels, campsites, tourist bases, guest houses, holiday homes, boarding houses and other buildings and structures used for temporary accommodation and servicing of tourists.
Reimbursement is provided for the construction and reconstruction of the relevant facilities.
The reimbursement amount is 10% of the relevant costs in accordance with the established procedure.
To obtain state support, a business entity must submit the required package of documents, including documents confirming rights to the facility, the acceptance certificate, design and design-estimate documentation with a positive expert assessment, photo and video materials, as well as information on tax obligations required under the rules.
Special conditions are provided for certain categories of projects. In particular, the requirements concerning an increase in VAT do not apply, in the cases provided for by the rules, to projects involving the construction, expansion, reconstruction and equipping of 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels operated under franchises of international hotel chains.
The new version also establishes requirements directly applicable to visitor centers and tourist accommodation facilities.
The facility must:
Thus, state support is provided taking into account the facility's actual readiness to serve tourists and its compliance with the established requirements.
One of the general areas of the amendments is the improvement of procedures for reviewing applications for state support measures.
The updated rules provide for:
Thus, the procedure for providing state support has become more detailed and provides for a unified approach to reviewing documents, verifying compliance with the established requirements and making decisions.
Following the amendments, the main amounts of the state support measures covered are as follows:
| State support measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Subsidization of SHF maintenance | KZT 83,300 per month |
| Reimbursement of costs for the construction of roadside service facilities | 10% |
| Reimbursement of costs for purchasing tourist vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats | 25% |
| Reimbursement of costs for the construction and reconstruction of visitor centers and tourist accommodation facilities | 10% |
At the same time, the main substance of the amendments is not an increase in the amount of state support, but rather the clarification of requirements for facilities and vehicles, specification of the list of documents, improvement of the application review procedure, and strengthening of mechanisms for monitoring the targeted use of the state support provided.
The Tourism and Investment Department of East Kazakhstan Region recommends that business entities planning to use these state support measures familiarize themselves with the requirements of the updated rules in advance and ensure that their facilities, vehicles and submitted documents comply with the established requirements.
In East Kazakhstan, particular attention is paid to the development of ecotourism while ensuring the conservation of natural ecosystems.
One of the tools for regulating tourist pressure is the Methodology for Determining the Permissible Recreational Load and Tourist-Recreational Capacity of Specially Protected Natural Areas (SPNAs), developed by the Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the participation of scientific organizations and experts.
The methodology makes it possible to determine the permissible number of visitors for specific tourist routes, ecological trails, observation platforms and recreational areas, taking into account the natural conditions of the territory.
The calculations take into account:
the type of terrain and relief features;
slope steepness;
the stability of the soil and vegetation cover;
the area and length of the tourist route;
seasonal characteristics of the territory;
the availability and condition of tourist infrastructure;
the need to ensure comfortable conditions for visitors.
The permissible recreational load is determined taking into account the basic and actual recreational capacity of the territory. Reduction coefficients are applied to account for the specific natural and infrastructure conditions of each site.
Determining the permissible load is part of the environmental monitoring system. Key sections of tourist routes are monitored to assess the condition of the natural environment.
If signs of increased anthropogenic pressure are identified, appropriate measures may be taken, including reducing the number of visitors, regulating access, and temporarily restricting the use of individual sections of a route to allow the natural vegetation cover to recover.
There are 42 tourist routes in the East Kazakhstan Region, 24 of which are ecological routes. The routes pass through specially protected natural areas, including the Katон-Karagay State National Nature Park, Markakol and West Altai State Nature Reserves.
Compliance with the permissible recreational load makes it possible to combine the development of the tourism sector with the preservation of the region's natural and landscape potential.
For East Kazakhstan, which has significant natural and tourism potential, this approach is an important condition for the sustainable development of ecotourism.
The Department of Tourism and Investments of the East Kazakhstan Region reminds citizens and guests of the region of the key legal aspects ensuring safe and comfortable travel.
In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 13, 2001, No. 211 "On Tourism Activity in the Republic of Kazakhstan," which regulates the legal, economic, social, and organizational foundations of the tourism sector, the essential rights and duties of tourists during the preparation and execution of travel are defined as follows
When preparing for and engaging in travel, including transit, a tourist has the right to:
Request Assistance: Apply to consular, diplomatic, or other state and tourist representations in the event of an infringement on their personal safety or property
Access Comprehensive Information: Receive necessary and reliable information regarding entry/exit regulations, legislative specifics of the destination, local customs, religious rites, tourist attractions, and the state of the environment
Freedom of Movement: Access tourist resources freely, subject to restrictive measures established at the place of temporary stay
Protection of Property Rights: Claim compensation for financial damages and moral harm in cases where the terms of the tourist services agreement are unfulfilled
Medical and Legal Assistance: Receive emergency medical care, as well as assistance from state authorities in obtaining legal and other forms of aid (for foreign tourists)
Access to Communication: Enjoy unimpeded access to available communication facilities
While traveling, including during transit, a tourist is obligated to:
Comply with Legislation: Strictly observe the laws, as well as the rules of entry, exit, and stay in the country (location) of temporary residence
Preserve Natural and Cultural Heritage: Respect and protect the environment, natural landmarks, historical sites, and cultural monuments
Observe Safety Measures: Adhere to personal safety rules during the trip and respect established procedures at tourist locations and routes
The Department of Tourism and Investments of the East Kazakhstan Region encourages all tourism industry stakeholders and travelers to strictly adhere to the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In East Kazakhstan Region, the repair of a 13-kilometre section of the Ust-Kamenogorsk – Altai – Ulken Naryn – Katon-Karagay – Rakhman Keys highway, between kilometres 437 and 450, has been completed.
Previously, this section had no asphalt pavement, while the challenging mountainous terrain significantly hindered traffic. Following the completion of the repair works, the section now has a full road surface, which will improve the comfort and safety of travel to one of the region’s most well-known tourist destinations.
As part of the project, four bridges and 23 water-crossing structures were constructed. The works were carried out in high-altitude conditions and on challenging terrain.
Due to the location of the road section within a national park, special requirements had to be observed during construction. As a result, blasting methods were not used. Rock formations were processed using specialized machinery, and the resulting material was used to construct the road base.
Previously, it took up to 2.5–3 hours to travel the 13-kilometre section without an asphalt surface. The opening of the upgraded road will significantly improve transport accessibility to Rakhman Keys.
To improve convenience for tourists, the project also includes stopping areas and viewing platforms offering views of the surrounding mountain landscapes and Mount Muztau (Belukha).
Rakhman Keys is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in East Kazakhstan and attracts travellers every year from different regions of Kazakhstan as well as from abroad.
In addition, a project to construct a new world-class health resort is planned at Rakhman Keys. Its implementation will provide an additional impetus to the development of the region’s tourism and health-resort infrastructure.
The development of road infrastructure is one of the key conditions for improving access to tourist destinations, increasing tourist flows and creating new opportunities for tourism development in the Katon-Karagay District and East Kazakhstan Region as a whole.