ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 19. Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting of the Council for Improving the Investment Climate with the participation of representatives from the international business community and diplomatic corps, where issues related to the implementation of digital solutions in the trade sector were discussed, Trend reports.
These initiatives align with the broader goals of modernizing the economy through digitalization and artificial intelligence. In particular, the meeting focused on the development of a digital labeling system for consumer goods.
Currently, Kazakhstan has established the necessary conditions for implementing such labeling: a list of goods subject to labeling and a phased timeline for their implementation have been approved as part of the National Development Plan through 2029. In addition, a Trade Policy Concept is being developed for the period up to 2030, outlining key directions and target indicators.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, mandatory labeling has already been introduced for three categories of goods. The measure has proven effective: budget revenues from tobacco products increased 1.5 times, footwear – 3 times, and pharmaceuticals – 1.8 times. Labeling has also significantly improved the detection of illegal tobacco products - more than sixfold - from 2 billion tenge ($3.6 million) in 2022 to 12.8 billion tenge ($23.04 million) in 2024. At the same time, the impact on end-user prices remains minimal - less than 1 percent of the product's cost.
Participants at the meeting shared their perspectives on Kazakhstan's ongoing economic and digital reforms.
Victoria Justin Sanchez, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, praised the country's efforts to strengthen consumer protection and combat illicit trade.
Aleška Simkić, Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan, emphasized the importance of implementing the digital labeling system gradually in order to minimize costs for businesses and maintain a predictable business environment - key to reinforcing investor confidence.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to openness and predictability in attracting long-term investment. The government plans to expand production capacities, increase localization levels, and deepen the digital transformation of the national economy. The development of the digital labeling system, in turn, is viewed as one of the key tools for increasing market transparency, protecting consumer rights, and reducing the shadow economy’s share in GDP, from 23 percent in 2019 to 16 percent projected for 2025.
