ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 22. Kazakhstan has introduced stringent local content requirements and updated procurement rules to prioritize domestic suppliers and boost local industry participation in subsoil resource projects, effective ahead of the 2026 Tax Code changes, Trend reports via the press service of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan.
Amendments have been made to the Rules for the procurement by subsoil users and their contractors of goods, works, and services used in the exploration or production of hydrocarbons and uranium mining operations.
In particular, the following is stipulated:
To support the domestic market, minimum local content requirements of at least 80 percent are established when performing design work.
Obligations are introduced for non-resident contractors of the Republic of Kazakhstan to involve residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan in performing work and/or providing services in projects carried out by such contractors outside the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
Provisions related to uranium mining have been excluded from the Rules, in accordance with the Regulation of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy. The development and approval of Rules for procurement by subsoil users and their contractors of goods, works, and services used in uranium mining operations, as well as state control over compliance by subsoil users with the procurement procedures for goods, works, and services during uranium mining operations, fall within the competence of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy.
Due to the adoption of the new Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, effective January 1, 2026, relevant changes have been made to the Rules regarding the procurement of works and services in a single lot within several contracts for subsoil use related to fields classified as low-profitability.
In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Issues of Determining the Country of Origin of Goods” dated May 19, 2025, corresponding changes have been made to the Rules regarding the procurement of goods from Kazakhstani manufacturers and conducting tenders exclusively among Kazakhstani manufacturers.
Earlier, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed large
enterprises to develop and adopt Local Content Programs by creating
a belt of small and medium-sized businesses around themselves.
On May 19, 2025, the President of Kazakhstan signed the Law of the
Republic of Kazakhstan “On Amendments and Additions to Certain
Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Issues of
Determining the Country of Origin of Goods.
