On December 18, 2025, a regular meeting of the Committee on Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking under the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan “Atameken” was held, chaired by Meyram Pshembaev.

Opening the meeting, Meyram Pshembayev, Chairman of the Committee on Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken,” noted that Kazakhstan’s mechanical engineering industry is demonstrating steady growth. According to the National Statistics Bureau, over the first 10 months of 2025, production volume in the machine-building sector amounted to 4.3 trillion tenge, with the physical volume index at 111.5% compared to the same period last year. Investments in the industry’s fixed assets reached 211.7 billion tenge, up from 189 billion tenge compared to the previous year. Significant investment growth was recorded in the vehicle manufacturing sector—282% compared to last year.

“At the same time, the share of imports remains high. With the country’s total imports amounting to nearly $46 billion over nine months, engineering products accounted for about $20 billion, or 43% of the total,” said Meyram Pshembaev.

According to him, there remains significant potential in this area for expanding domestic production and reducing reliance on imports.

Talgat Bazarbekov, Director of the Union’s Executive Directorate, delivered a report on the results of the Association of Kazakhstan Machinery Industry’ activities for 2025, as well as on the progress of implementing the Comprehensive Development Plan for the Machine-Building Industry for 2024–2028.

He emphasized that the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan is one of the Association’s key priorities. According to him, out of the 79 measures outlined in the document, work has begun on 71 items, with 21 measures already fully implemented.

“The Comprehensive Plan is a systematic document aimed at achieving exponential growth in the industry. Its targets include a 4.5-fold increase in production volumes, a 3-fold increase in exports, a 2-fold increase in labor productivity, and a 1.5-fold increase in investments,” noted Talgat Bazarbekov.

Special attention was given to the adopted changes in procurement rules for subsoil users. In 2025, regulations were approved requiring a mandatory prepayment of at least 30% when concluding contracts with Kazakhstani producers in the field of solid mineral extraction, as well as the exploration and production of hydrocarbons and uranium.

In addition, the list of government incentives for the industry has been expanded, including reimbursement of costs for rail transportation and international product certification.

In collaboration with the Government and Parliament, significant legislative changes have been adopted. As of July 1, amendments prohibiting the procurement of non-standardized goods through exchanges have taken effect. The legislation provides for mechanisms to approve programs for developing domestic value and for major customers to enter into off-take contracts. As part of the amendments to the Code “On Subsurface Resources and Subsurface Use,” a provision establishing a minimum share of domestic value in procured goods is currently under consideration in the Senate. The new Tax Code includes a provision for paying VAT via a credit mechanism on imported equipment for the construction of new facilities and the modernization of existing ones, and provides for a deferral of VAT payment for up to one year on imports of materials and components not produced domestically that are used in the manufacture of final products. The new Tax Code also includes 300% tax deductions for enterprises engaged in R&D.

During the meeting, a notice from Meyram Pshembaev regarding his early resignation from the position of Chairman of the Committee on Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken” on his own initiative, effective December 19, 2025, was considered.

The committee considered motions from 12 members to elect Yerkhanat Makanov—deputy chairman of the Board of the Association of Kazakhstan Machinery Industry and a member of the committee — as chairman.

Following the vote, Yerkhanat Makanov was elected chairman of the Committee on Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken.”

Yerkhanat Makanov has extensive experience in the machine-building industry; he previously worked at the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan, where he served as Deputy Director of the Executive Directorate, Director of the Executive Directorate, and Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of the Association of Kazakhstan Machinery Industry. He possesses in-depth knowledge of the specifics of mechanical engineering and metalworking, as well as practical experience in implementing industry initiatives.

The meeting participants noted the need for further consolidation of efforts by the business community and the government to reduce import dependence, develop local production, and enhance the competitiveness of the mechanical engineering industry.