Week in Brief: 10 key developments shaping Kazakhstan this week

1. Kazakh government suggests setting minimum standard VAT rate at 16%

The Kazakh government suggested Monday to fix the minimum standard VAT rate at 16%, up from the current 12% as well as an intermediate rate at 10% for certain industries and a full exemption for agricultural producers.

2. Kazakhstan ends 2025 Asian Winter Games with 20 medals

Team Kazakhstan finished the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games in 4th place overall with 20 medals, including four gold, nine silver and seven bronze ones. China came out on top in the Asian Winter Games medal count in Harbin, with 85 medals, including 32 gold, 27 silver and 26 bronze ones.

3. The story behind a photograph: Zauresh Yergaliyeva and her camels

This article tells the story of Zauresh Yergaliyeva, who worked as a camel herder in the Stalin collective farm in the Ordinsky district of the West Kazakhstan region. In our search for the woman, we uncovered many fascinating facts about camel breeding, both past and present.

4. Kazakhstan plans to build three channels to divert floodwaters of the Yessil River to the Aral Sea

The project aims to divert floodwaters of the Yessil River basin to the Turgay River basin, to restore hydrological regime of Lake Shalkarteniz. Presently, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is conducting comprehensive research of redistribution of water between the basins.

5. Mangistau region to plant some 250,000 saxaul, juniper trees to combat desertification

These measures are aimed at improving the environmental situation, increasing land fertility and improving the quality of life of the rural population.

6. The names of about 20 sons of Jochi are known – Zhaksylyk Sabitov

Kazinform News Agency continues its series of publications on the Ulus of Jochi. This time, we explored about little-known aspects of the personal life of Genghis Khan’s eldest son. Historian and PhD Zhaksylyk Sabitov shared his insights.

7. Special status of Turkistan: What new projects the city is set to implement

In 2025, the city plans to invest in park renovations, engineering infrastructure, a youth sports complex, and a multifunctional horse racetrack.

8. Kazakhstan’s Dastan Satpayev to continue his career at Chelsea

Kazakhstani footballer Dastan Satpayev is set to continue his professional career at Chelsea. According to Almaty-based football club Kairat’s press service, he will officially join the English team in the summer of 2026, after reaching adulthood. Until then, Satpayev will continue playing for Kairat.

9. Diwani Lughat al-Turk international exhibition opens in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan hosted the opening ceremony of an international exhibition dedicated to "Diwani Lughat al-Turk," a historical dictionary of Turkic languages, created by the outstanding Turkic scholar and thinker Mahmud Kashgari. The event was organized by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in collaboration with TIKA and the Turkic World Foundation.

10.Teacher from Astana wins 2 gold medals at World Powerlifting Championships in Egypt

54-year-old teacher Aigul Yerzhanova competed against rivals from nearly 20 countries, managing to lift 100kg, setting a world record for female powerlifting in her weight and division.

You can read last week’s 10 key developments shaping Kazakhstan here.