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February 12, 2026 to February 18, 2026
This week's top 10 stories from Kazakhstan, selected from our daily intelligence briefs.
1. Draft Constitution Unveiled Sets Referendum-Only Amendments and Reshapes Legislature
Kazakhstan’s authorities published a full draft of a new Constitution that will go to a nationwide referendum on March 15, 2026; if approved, it would take effect on July 1, 2026 and replace the 1995 Basic Law. The draft makes future constitutional amendments possible only by nationwide referendum with turnout thresholds and approval by a majority in at least two‑thirds of regions; it codifies a single seven‑year presidential term, abolishes the bicameral Parliament in favor of a unicameral legislature called the Quryltai (Kurultai), and creates a Vice President to be confirmed by that legislature.
Institutional and rights provisions include strengthening the Constitutional Court with direct citizen standing to challenge norms, restating protections for speech, assembly (subject to legal limits), privacy and due process, retaining Kazakh as the state language while keeping Russian as an official language, and reiterating bans on foreign party funding and the death penalty. The draft sets explicit transition timetables: the current Parliament’s mandate would end July 1, 2026; the President must call Kurultai elections within one month (to be held within two months); following the first session the President would appoint a Vice President with Kurultai consent within two months; and new compositions of the Constitutional Court, Central Election Commission and Supreme Audit Chamber would be formed on prescribed schedules. The adoption date would become a public holiday, Constitution Day.
Local Coverage: egemen.kz, aikyn.kz, informburo.kz, inform.kz, dknews.kz, zakon.kz, malim.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-13
2. Asian FDI in Eurasia Jumps to $68 Billion, With Central Asia Capturing Majority Share
Asian foreign direct investment into the broader Eurasian region surged to a record $68.0 billion in the first half of 2025, more than doubling (2.3×) from $29.9 billion in 2016. Central Asia captured a majority share—57% of H1 2025 inflows—with Uzbekistan the largest recipient at $22.6 billion, followed by Turkmenistan ($20.6 billion) and Kazakhstan ($19.3 billion); the remainder went to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The composition and origin of capital point to strategic shifts: in Kazakhstan, major sources include China, Gulf states, Turkey and India, with recent momentum notably from Gulf investors. Sectorally, investment is moving away from extractives toward manufacturing, power generation and renewables, indicating diversification of regional economic profiles and longer-term industrial ambitions across Central Asia.
Local Coverage: egemen.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-18
3. Tax Overhaul Set for 2026 Reshapes Deductions, VAT and Digital Compliance
Kazakhstan will implement a comprehensive tax overhaul in 2026 that streamlines deductions, introduces progressive elements for higher earners, and tightens digital compliance, officials said at an Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs briefing. Key measures include a universal basic deduction set at 30 MCI (automatically applied on employer request) and an increased deduction of 5,000 MCI for citizens with disabilities (Groups I–II). Progressive thresholds will target sole proprietors under the general regime and dividend recipients above KZT 1 billion. Property sold after being held at least two years will be tax‑exempt only for real estate acquired from January 1, 2026.
The reform also creates a special 0% tax regime for platform workers (taxi drivers, couriers, tradespeople), with 4% of income redirected to social contributions via the e‑Salyq Business app; patent‑based sole proprietors will be auto‑migrated from March 1, 2026. VAT rises to 16% (with a 5% rate retained for medicines and medical devices) and introduces stronger VAT offsets for dairy processors; supplier e‑invoices can no longer be unilaterally corrected. Authorities reported data‑migration issues but aim to complete fixes by mid‑February. Overall, the package eases burdens for small businesses and platform workers while increasing transparency and tax pressure on large turnovers.
Local Coverage: dknews.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-14
4. Draft Constitution Explicitly Separates Religion from the State
Kazakhstan’s draft Constitution submitted to a nationwide referendum would, for the first time, explicitly enshrine the separation of religion and state. If approved, the amendment would codify the country’s existing secular governance practice into constitutional law, clarifying the state’s neutrality in religious affairs and giving courts and regulators firmer guidance on issues such as the regulation of religious organizations, education policy, and public administration.
The provision does not include an implementation timeline beyond the referendum process; details such as the exact wording, how courts would interpret conflicts, or any transitional measures have not been published. For international professionals, the change signals formal alignment with secular constitutional norms and could affect compliance, licensing, and operational planning for religious and civil-society actors operating in Kazakhstan.
Local Coverage: inform.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-13
5. Energy Ministry Flags Up To 700,000-Ton Diesel Shortfall
Kazakhstan’s Energy Vice Minister Qairkhan Tutkyshbayev has warned of a diesel shortfall of up to 700,000 tonnes, raising risks for transport, agriculture and logistics as winter supply patterns persist. Officials gave no timeline or immediate mitigation steps; market responses would typically include higher refinery runs, imports from neighboring markets, or temporary export curbs.
The scale of the deficit could tighten domestic distribution, push up prices and alter cross‑border flows, important because Kazakhstan is both a producer and regional supplier. International market participants should monitor Energy Ministry updates, refinery maintenance schedules and any changes to export controls that would affect availability and pricing across industrial and retail segments.
Local Coverage: inform.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-12
6. New Tax Code Pushes Digitization, Progressive PIT and VAT Shift as Officials Eye Broader Revenue Base
A recent policy roundtable at Turan-Astana University outlined early impacts of Kazakhstan’s new Tax Code, reporting rapid onboarding of more than 180,000 self‑employed taxpayers and a projected KZT 4.4 trillion revenue increase in 2024. Key reforms include introducing a progressive personal income tax, raising the VAT rate to 16% while lowering the VAT registration threshold, consolidating seven special tax regimes into three, and introducing a luxury tax on high‑value assets; officials framed the package as both revenue‑raising and equity‑oriented. Authorities emphasized end‑to‑end digitization and a shift from punitive enforcement toward partnership with taxpayers, echoing President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev’s call for mutual trust.
Almaty’s State Revenue Department briefed on transitional provisions affecting self‑employed individuals, small businesses and peasant farms, noting changes to registration, reporting frequency and payment schedules intended to phase in obligations and standardize compliance. Economists at the roundtable cautioned the reforms should be aligned with the Budget Code, recommended narrowing roughly 280–290 tax exemptions, and highlighted the need to tackle the shadow economy — specifically under‑taxed peer‑to‑peer transfers among individual entrepreneurs — to realize the projected revenue gains.
Local Coverage: egemen.kz, inform.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-17
7. Astana’s CHP-3 to Add 500 MW CCGT as City Expands Backup Coal Option and Builds New Telman Gas Plant
Kazakhstan is bolstering Astana’s power and heat resilience as CHP‑3 undergoes expansion and fuel‑security upgrades. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov inspected the gas‑fired CHP‑3 where Phase 1 is due to finish this year and Phase 2 will add a 500 MW combined‑cycle gas unit via private investment; the plant currently supplies 440 Gcal/h of heat. Works to integrate coal as a reserve fuel — including fuel‑handling systems and a rail link — will provide backup flexibility for rapidly growing districts, while the Telman gas plant is scheduled for 2027, Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek said.
At the national level Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov reported available generation this season of 17,273 MW (up 7% year‑on‑year), with grid and plant upgrades reducing shortages by 29% over three years. Authorities plan 2.6 GW of new capacity in 2024 and project output to rise by 39 TWh by 2029, signaling a dual strategy of capacity expansion and fuel diversification to improve reliability amid urban growth.
Local Coverage: inform.kz, egemen.kz, dknews.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-17
8. Government Accelerates Diversification with Push for Productivity, Advanced Processing and Investment Pipeline
Kazakhstan’s government announced an accelerated diversification and modernization drive stressing productivity gains, advanced processing and technological renewal following an expanded cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Key targets include forming a curated export‑oriented project list on the National Digital Investment Platform by 1 April (Kazakh Invest to coordinate), capitalizing Baiterek Holding to KZT 1 trillion by 2026 to mobilize KZT 8 trillion for the real sector, and commissioning 13.3 GW of new power by 2029. Officials point to manufacturing growth of 4.4% year‑to‑date and an improved Economic Complexity Index ranking (87th to 55th in four years) as a basis for deeper processing in oil‑gas chemicals, construction materials and agrifood, plus Samruk‑Kazyna’s plan to attract over $27 billion FDI in 2026–2030.
The administration set concrete deadlines and policy tools to support the push: an Income Growth Program for 2026–2029 due 1 May, an inflation reduction plan (target 9–11%) with the National Bank, full audits of budget programs by 1 May, and expanded digitalization via the QazTech platform, EGov Business, KazLLM and sectoral systems (Tasqyn, Smart Cargo) with several milestones between April and October. Measures also include tax and market reforms, a National Goods Catalog in H1, AI projects pegged to a $1.3bn five‑year impact, and sectoral mandates (veterinary plan by 15 April, healthcare workforce and data deadlines by 1 April). The package signals a rapid, state‑directed push to shift Kazakhstan’s growth toward higher value‑added industry and investment attraction while tightening fiscal oversight and digitizing public services.
Local Coverage: egemen.kz, inform.kz, malim.kz, dknews.kz, aikyn.kz
From daily briefs: 2026-02-12, 2026-02-13, 2026-02-18
9. President Convenes Security Chiefs to Set Law-and-Order Priorities, Reviews Constitutional Commission’s Draft Outcome
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on [date not specified] chaired a working meeting in Astana with the Presidential Administration, Security Council and law enforcement leaders to advance a “Law and Order” concept, review public-order performance and reinforce citizen-rights protections. Officials prioritized strengthening the rule of law through prevention, outreach, transparency and feedback mechanisms rather than solely punitive measures, and identified legal culture-building as a core objective; Tokayev also reviewed the Constitutional Commission’s completed systematization of proposals for a new Constitution draft, framing it as part of broader legal and political modernization.
In a concurrent expanded government meeting, Tokayev assessed political and economic indicators and issued directives to the Cabinet aimed at tackling inflation and tightening economic management, signaling heightened accountability for macroeconomic outcomes and potential policy recalibrations (fiscal discipline, pricing and sectoral priorities). While specific measures, sectoral targets and timelines were not disclosed, the combined sessions signal an administration push for stronger governance, institutional trust and clearer performance benchmarks—developments international businesses should monitor for implications on regulation, fiscal policy and sector strategy.
Local Coverage: aikyn.kz, dknews.kz, inform.kz, zakon.kz, malim.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-12
10. Presidential Decree Expands National Security Committee’s Powers on Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Oversight
On 9 February 2026 President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree revising the regulation of the National Security Committee (NSC), reaffirming it as a special state body reporting directly to the President and leading the unified national security system. The decree broadens the NSC’s remit across intelligence, counterintelligence, border protection, secure government communications and state secrets, and—significantly—grants new authority for state oversight of information and communications with an explicit focus on protecting critical information infrastructure.
Under the changes effective immediately, the NSC may issue binding compliance orders for cybersecurity violations affecting critical infrastructure and conduct inspections of permits and qualifications for the use of special technical tools in information security and operational-search activities, including unplanned checks under the Entrepreneurial Code. For international professionals, the decree signals a centralization of cyber and infrastructure oversight within a presidentially controlled agency, potentially affecting private sector operational freedom, foreign vendors and cross-border data or equipment used in Kazakhstan’s critical information systems.
Local Coverage: zakon.kz, inform.kz, malim.kz
From daily brief: 2026-02-14
About This Weekly Digest
The stories above represent the most significant developments from Kazakhstan this week, selected through our AI-powered analysis of hundreds of local news articles.
Stories are drawn from our daily intelligence briefs, which synthesize reporting from Kazakhstan's leading news sources to provide comprehensive situational awareness for international decision-makers.
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