ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 10. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released the report "Responsible Business Conduct for Sustainable Infrastructure in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan," Trend reports via the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The document conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the extent
to which the tenets of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) have been
assimilated into the national frameworks for sustainable
development across the trio of nations.
Kazakhstan is highlighted in the report as a nation that has
achieved substantial advancements in the institutionalization of
Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) standards, effectively embedding
them into its socio-economic framework in a systematic manner.
According to experts, Kazakhstan demonstrates a comprehensive and cross-sectorally coordinated approach to implementing RBC principles. The national strategy covers critical areas such as occupational safety, environmental modernization, decarbonization, human capital development, and encouraging business participation in the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) agenda.
The report emphasizes that this progress has been largely driven by systemic measures taken by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan to support domestic producers, develop small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthen sustainable mechanisms of economic development.
Key OECD-recognized initiatives of Kazakhstan include the following:
Occupational Safety: Kazakhstan has made significant efforts to reduce workplace injuries and create safe working conditions. Since 2019, it has been implementing the Vision Zero concept aimed at achieving zero workplace injuries and fatalities. In 2024, a digital labor condition monitoring map was introduced to ensure transparency and compliance with safety standards at enterprises. Additionally, the Safe Labor Concept for 2024-2030 has been adopted as a systemic foundation for preventing occupational risks and fostering a culture of occupational safety.
Environmental Modernization: A critical element of sustainable infrastructure is the transition to environmentally friendly production. Enterprises that implement Best Available Techniques (BAT) are exempt from environmental emission taxes. The government provides both financial and technical support for production modernization, including investment subsidies, streamlined procedures, and consulting services.
Development of Renewable Energy: Kazakhstan promotes investment in renewable energy projects. Since 2016, such projects have enjoyed tax incentives, and since 2020, full exemptions from VAT and customs duties on imported equipment. Alongside financial stimuli, funding mechanisms that encompass up to 30 percent of capital deployment are accessible, enhancing the allure of the renewable energy sector for stakeholders.
“Tariff in Exchange for Investment” Program: This mechanism reimburses investors’ costs in the infrastructure and energy sectors through regulated tariffs. The program ensures predictable returns on investment and helps attract private capital for the modernization of energy and utility systems.
Human Capital Development: Recognizing the importance of a skilled workforce for sustainable growth, Kazakhstan has designated 2025 as the Year of Vocational Professions. The focus is on vocational training and upskilling in priority sectors such as energy, construction, water supply, and transportation. These measures aim to strengthen institutional and labor capacity in critical infrastructure sectors.
A significant portion of the OECD report is devoted to the activities of Samruk-Kazyna JSC (Sovereign Wealth Fund), which is recognized as a key institutional mechanism for promoting RBC principles and sustainable development in Kazakhstan. The Fund is perceived as a pivotal driver for the metamorphosis of state-owned enterprises towards ESG-centric methodologies, showcasing an elevated degree of institutional sophistication and unwavering governance protocols. The initiatives are strategically designed to optimize ROI on capital allocations in critical infrastructure while concurrently advancing a socio-economic mandate to bolster regional industrial capacity and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
