The FBRK editorial team continues its series of articles on the largest government procurements of Kazakh departments in 2024. Today we turn to the procurements of the Ministry of Trade and Integration.
An analysis of the department’s most expensive procurements highlights the priority areas for developing the country’s foreign trade potential.
At the same time, the clear leader in terms of funding volume was the major renovation of the Reference Centre in Astana – 1.46 billion tenge was allocated for this, spread over two years: 292.6 million tenge in 2024 and 1.16 billion in 2025.
This centre houses, among other things, the Kazakh Institute of Standardisation and Metrology, which is under the authority of the Ministry of Trade.
Other significant expenditures include the export acceleration programme with a budget of 747.9 million tenge. This programme offers comprehensive support for domestic enterprises: training, consultations, assistance with certification, finding partners, and adapting products to the requirements of foreign markets.
An additional 440 million tenge was allocated for financial support of Kazakh exporting companies in the manufacturing industry.
Substantial funds were directed towards standardisation – in 2023, the department allocated 253.3 million tenge, and in 2024, 200.6 million. These documents establish rules, norms, and requirements for products, processes, and services.
An impressive budget of 421.4 million tenge was allocated last year for analysing the testing infrastructure of the Republic of Kazakhstan to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The Chinese direction also received substantial funding: participation in China International Import Expo 2024 in Shanghai, considering only the very largest procurements, cost Kazakhstan 591.4 million tenge. These funds were directed towards showcasing the country’s investment and digital potential at the Shanghai exhibition.
375.1 million tenge was allocated for the maintenance of state standards and equipment – these funds ensure the accuracy of measurements in the country and compliance with international standards.
The Information Centre for Technical Barriers to Trade received 281.7 million tenge. The centre provides services for monitoring, analysing, and disseminating information on technical regulations, standardisation, and sanitary measures, providing relevant stakeholders with up-to-date information.
Digital transformation of trade was also among the priorities: 215.2 million tenge was allocated to promote domestic companies on the Alibaba platform.
Consulting and analytical support for exporters received 253 million tenge, including analysis of priority markets for non-commodity goods.
346.3 million tenge was allocated for conducting trade missions, intended to secure contracts for at least 200 domestic companies worth $250 million.
An analysis of these largest procurements shows that in 2024, the ministry bet on the comprehensive development of export potential, with key areas being infrastructure modernisation, standardisation, support for exporters, and digitalisation of trade relations, with a clear emphasis on Asian markets.
To recall, the FBRK editorial team has already conducted an analysis of the largest government procurements of nine Kazakh ministries. You can view the previous article, dedicated to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, via this link.
To be continued…