In his Address to the People of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set out priorities for the country’s socio-economic development and ordered large-scale infrastructure construction to begin across all regions. He proposed declaring next year the Year of the Nationwide Great Construction.
About 6.5 trillion tenge is planned from the National Fund for infrastructure modernisation by the end of 2029. Of this, 1.5 trillion tenge should be allocated to social projects this year and in the first two months of 2027. The government is to prepare a list of projects for every region by the end of the year. The first phase includes around 70 healthcare facilities and about 50 facilities for education, sports and culture. Plans also cover housing and utilities, gas supply to settlements, and access to clean drinking water. Tokayev said National Fund money must not be used to finance imports and called for local small and medium-sized businesses to be involved in the work.
The social projects include eight perinatal centres, seven multidisciplinary children’s hospitals in Atyrau, Aktobe, Almaty, Shymkent, Kaskelen, Semey and Aktau, as well as two facilities in Astana. From January 1, 2027, salaries for primary healthcare district service specialists are to rise by up to 40% based on continuous service. The change will affect more than 77,000 people. The minimum wage is planned to increase from 85,000 to 110,000 tenge, raising incomes for nearly 1.8 million people, including more than 370,000 public-sector employees.
A new Bakhty–Ayagoz rail line is due to open next year, increasing capacity toward China by 20 million tonnes. Construction of the Aral–Caspian railway began in August. It is expected to shorten the route along the Trans-Caspian Corridor by about 1,000 kilometres and reduce freight delivery time to three days. Tokayev ordered the Kokshetau–Petropavlovsk highway to be expanded, the reconstruction of all road border checkpoints to be completed next year, and national and local roads to be built to a high standard. Construction of a modern airport in Astana is also due to begin next year. Restoration of the airport in Arkalyk is complete, while airports in Zaysan, Katon-Karagay and Kendirli are expected to open.
Kazakhstan has been tasked with achieving a stable energy surplus by 2029. This will require building and modernising power plants and transmission lines, as well as developing “clean” coal and renewable energy. The government must update the long-term energy balance through 2035. Tokayev said construction of the Balkhash nuclear power plant could begin next year and proposed signing a cooperation agreement to expedite the start of construction of the Moyinkum nuclear power plant. He also proposed considering a state strategic uranium reserve.
In agriculture, the government was instructed to develop long-term financing mechanisms for farmers, introduce artificial intelligence and water-saving technologies, and expand the processing, storage and marketing of produce. The National Information System of Water Resources must be completed as soon as possible to ensure a full accounting of water resources. The government is also to tighten monitoring of water consumption, reduce network losses and prevent the improper use of drinking water.
To support businesses, the president proposed that the Kurultai deputies and the government discuss a further three-year moratorium on inspections of micro and small businesses, starting January 1, 2027. The government is to prepare a comprehensive plan for medium-sized business development, improve SME participation in public procurement and draft targeted amendments to tax legislation. The government and the Kurultai will study the possibility of a higher tax rate for people with substantial wealth. Tokayev also proposed adopting a new Civil Code by the end of next year.
To develop the digital economy, the government will establish a simplified legal framework for digital employment by the end of the year. Pilot projects will be launched with businesses in several regions next year to help rural producers sell goods through digital services. The president tasked the government, national companies and the creative industries sector with developing an AI-based digital economy. The Presidential Administration must submit a comprehensive public administration reform plan by June 1, 2027. By the end of January 2027, the government is to submit amendments to the Constitutional Law on the Special Legal Regime of the City of Alatau, providing for an investment court based on the English common law model and a civil court. The Address also calls for lower inflation, directing bank funds to the real economy and creating a Unified Strategy for the Development of Kazakhstan’s Financial Market. Social support should be targeted, with new mechanisms and digital systems tested first through pilot programmes.
