Kazakhstan News
What Supports the Tenge: Exchange Rate Dynamics in January 2025
Kazakhstan’s national currency strengthened by 1.33% due to internal and external factors
Kazakhstan’s national currency strengthened by 1.33% due to internal and external factors
Air traffic controllers warned about the “Kover” plan in Grozny before the tragedy
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) website has stopped functioning in Kazakhstan. This may be linked to Donald Trump’s executive order suspending funding for international development programs. The Trump administration is freezing foreign aid and considering the complete dissolution of USAID, transferring its functions to the U.S. State Department. This decision could completely reshape the landscape of international aid, affecting media, activists, businesses, and humanitarian projects in Kazakhstan.
Kazakh special forces units Alpha Special Forces of the National Security Committee (KNB) and the State Security Service (SGO) are currently leading in the UAE SWAT Challenge-2025 in Dubai. This elite global competition brings together over 80 of the world's best special operations teams, where they compete in assault, tactical, and rescue missions. Kazakhstan's units are demonstrating exceptional skill and tactical superiority, putting them in a strong position to win.
The Anti-Fraud Center of the National Bank of Kazakhstan has detected and blocked fraudulent transactions totaling nearly 1.5 billion tenge. Over six months, authorities registered 17,802 fraud cases.
According to the U.S. State Department, the B1/B2 non-immigrant visa (tourist and business) refusal rate for Kazakhstani citizens reached 46.29% in 2024. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years.
Kazakhstan has shortlisted four companies as potential contractors for the country’s first nuclear power plant (NPP). The finalists are: Rosatom (Russia) KHNP (South Korea) CNNC (China) EDF (France) The final decision will be made in 2025, considering national interests and international obligations.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has stated that Kazakhstan urgently needs a developed cryptocurrency infrastructure to stay competitive with global financial trends. He has instructed financial regulators to draft new legislation for digital assets to ensure the market is transparent and legal.
The Astana Police Department has released an original video about cyber fraudsters, featuring criminals declaring: "Your money is my money." The video quickly gained popularity online and became part of an awareness campaign against internet scams.
A court in Aktau has sentenced the leader of a criminal group involved in large-scale tobacco smuggling. The suspect had been on an international wanted list and was extradited from Azerbaijan at the request of the Kazakh Prosecutor General's Office. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
A married couple in Shymkent set up an illegal alcohol production business using counterfeit excise stamps. Their operations earned them over 309 million tenge, which they used to buy 13 luxury cars worth a total of 234 million tenge. During a police raid, authorities seized over 9,000 liters of ethyl alcohol and 75 million tenge in cash. The court sentenced the couple to 5 and 6 years in prison.
Majilis deputy Edil Zhanbyrshin has proposed a ban on LGBT propaganda in Kazakhstan, referencing recent legislation in the US recognizing only two genders — male and female. He stated that such laws have shocked the LGBT community globally. Zhanbyrshin emphasized that similar proposals in Kazakhstan face resistance and called for laws to penalize information campaigns against such initiatives.
Kazakhstan's compulsory medical insurance system (OSMS) has left hospitals short of 550 billion tenge, leading to shortages in funding for surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and diagnostic procedures. Majilis deputy Askhat Aimagambetov pointed to calculation errors for preferential categories and the failure to fulfill the state budget as the main causes of the issue.
Electricity prices in Kazakhstan are rising, but the tariff-setting process remains opaque. The 2024 transfer of the digital energy platform from KOREM to CACTEC has stalled, exacerbating corruption risks. Without transparency, consumers face rapidly increasing costs.
In Turkestan Region, an organized criminal group exploited a fraudulent scheme to steal 1.9 billion tenge from the state budget. The group falsified documents, created fake companies, and used fictitious collaterals to secure preferential loans under the "Sybagha" program, intended to subsidize cattle purchases.
Speaking at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia could normalize relations with Israel by signing the Abraham Accords as early as 2025.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the Kazakhstan-Russia State Border. This historic agreement was signed in Moscow on January 18, 2005.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has announced a new pricing policy for fuel and lubricants. The updated approach aims to address key issues, including fuel shortages, smuggling, and low prices that hinder industry development.
Kazakhstan is set to build a factory for the production of advanced drones. The $12 million project will be implemented by Yesil Technology Company in the Almaty region, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and KAZAKH INVEST.
Targeted transfers from Kazakhstan’s National Fund will soon be subject to budgetary rules, according to National Bank Chairman Timur Suleimenov. The new restrictions are expected to be finalized and announced by the end of January.
Kazakhstan strengthens its position as a leader in Islamic finance in Central Asia. The launch of trading in the Shariah-compliant index fund ITSS ETF and expert opinions are covered in this article.
The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK) has issued a fatwa declaring quadrupedalism—walking on all fours and imitating animals—strictly haram. This definitive ruling resolves long-standing debates on the matter.
Kazakhstan is moving towards stricter anti-corruption measures, extending accountability beyond public officials to ordinary citizens. Proposed changes aim to tackle corruption in everyday areas such as education, healthcare, and banking.
Agreement to Strengthen Energy Cooperation During the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the signing of a trilateral agreement between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. The document, formalized at the COP29 climate conference, outlines plans for exporting renewable energy from these countries to Europe.
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