A new constitution adopted by referendum in March 2026 created a single-chamber parliament (Kurultai) and a vice presidency, and Prime Minister Bektenov was reconfirmed. The government declared 2026 the 'Year of Digitalisation and AI' and is stepping up infrastructure building and foreign investment, targeting growth above 5% a year in 2027–2029.
Government · leader
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (head of state), Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov (head of government, reconfirmed by the Kurultai on 31 Aug 2026), Vice President Yerlan Karin
Key national agenda
- Implementing political and administrative reform under the new constitution (single-chamber Kurultai, vice presidency)
- Full adoption of digital and AI tools in government, education and health (2026 Year of Digitalisation and AI)
- Faster infrastructure and social-facility construction ('the country as one large construction site')
- Growth of energy, manufacturing (autos, machinery, metals) and logistics, and more foreign investment
- Stronger rule of law, fiscal discipline and regional development
Government programmes
2027–2029 Republican budget and socio-economic forecast
Approved by the government on 25 Aug 2026. Forecasts nominal GDP of KZT 199.3tn in 2027 and targets real growth above 5% a year
51 Kazakhstan–Korea industrial projectsover USD 4bn
Projects span autos, machinery and metals. The president asked Korean firms to expand production and join infrastructure projects, and the government will draw up a list of those projects
9th Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR-2026)USD 4.8bn of documents signed
Held in Shymkent on 22 Oct 2026, where investment documents were signed
Aktobe and Semey university hospital PPPs
ADB is providing technical advice on structuring the PPPs (consultant call issued in July 2026)
Year of Digitalisation and AI
Rolls out AI and digital technology across the economy, government, education and health in 2026
Business opportunities
Localisation consulting for Korean parts and equipment SMEs
The president publicly asked Korean firms to expand production, and USD 4bn+ of joint projects are under way.
Kazakh auto and machinery makers, Korean partner SMEs, Baiterek Holding
AI chatbots for citizen requests and automation of administrative documents in local government
Declaring 2026 the Year of Digitalisation and AI made AI in public administration a policy goal.
Ministry of AI and Digital Development, regional akimats
Consulting on digitising hospital operations and facility data
ADB-backed work is building a digital map of health infrastructure, and hospital PPPs are being prepared.
Ministry of Healthcare, university hospital PPP sponsors
Digital construction scheduling and quality-control tools
The government is speeding up infrastructure and social-facility construction.
Ministry of Industry and Construction, regional construction departments, state project owners
Korean support schemes
- Kazakh–Korean industrial cooperation roundtable (Sep 2026) · Kazakh Presidential Administration / Korean business community — Reviewed 51 joint projects worth over USD 4bn and agreed to prepare a list of infrastructure projects for Korean firms.
- KOICA cooperation in Central Asia · KOICA — Kazakhstan was the third-largest Central Asian recipient of KOICA aid in 1992–2025, and regional cooperation is moving toward AI and digital governance.
- 2026 Export Voucher (MSS) · Ministry of SMEs and Startups / KOSME — Vouchers cover the cost of certification, market research, marketing and other overseas-expansion services.
Official notices
Office of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (primeminister.kz)
- 2026-10-27 PM chairs the interagency commission on rule of law, and Kazakhstan and China review joint oil, gas and energy projects
- 2026-10-22 USD 4.8bn of investment documents signed at KGIR-2026 in Shymkent
- 2026-10-21 Talks with the ICAO Secretary General on civil aviation cooperation
- 2026-10-20 PM attends the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe
Disaster · conflict · epidemic
Stable 2026-10-30
—
—
—
Earth & space
Sources
- Primeminister.kz – News (2026-10)
- Primeminister.kz – Draft Republican Budget for 2027–2029
- Kazakhstan, South Korea line up 51 projects worth over $4B (Trend, 2026-09-15)
- Tokayev proposes keeping Bektenov as prime minister (Interfax-Kazakhstan, 2026-08-31)
- KOICA's evolving role in Central Asia (Korea Times, 2026-09-16)
