MPs of the Kurultai approved at first reading a draft law on Kazakhstan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Rules on Domestic Regulation of Services and decided to create a 50-member Public Chamber under parliament. The new chamber is to take part in expert assessment of draft laws even before they are considered by MPs.
WHICH WTO RULES THE MPs APPROVED
According to the Kurultai press service, MPs approved at first reading the draft Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Ratification of Amendments to the List of Specific Commitments of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Services", linked to accession to the WTO Rules on Domestic Regulation of Services.
The rules cover licensing procedures and requirements, confirmation of qualifications and industry standards. They provide for simplification of administrative procedures, the possibility of submitting documents electronically and greater transparency of requirements for service suppliers.
Kazakhstan joined the WTO in 2015. Negotiations on the Rules on Domestic Regulation of Services concluded in Geneva on 2 December 2021. 60 WTO members took part in drafting the document, and today 72 participating countries have acceded to the Rules.
WHAT THE TRADE MINISTER SAID
Presenting the draft law, Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev said that around 98% of Kazakhstan's foreign trade is accounted for by WTO participating countries.
According to him, membership of the organisation gives Kazakhstan clear and non-discriminatory rules of access to the markets of WTO participating countries. Among the country's major trading partners, the minister named China, the European Union (EU) and the USA.
Shakkaliyev also said that Kazakhstan's foreign trade turnover had grown from $76.5 billion in 2015 to $136.9 billion in 2025.
WHAT WILL CHANGE IN THE WORK OF THE KURULTAI
At the same sitting, a decision was taken to create the Public Chamber under the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1st convocation. Its membership is planned to include 50 people — experts and representatives of the regions, academics, professional associations and civil society.
The chamber's main task will be public and expert assessment of draft laws at the "zero reading" stage, that is, before the document is officially considered at first reading. At this stage, participants will be able to point out contentious provisions and propose amendments.
WHO WILL DETERMINE THE CHAMBER'S COMPOSITION
The Public Chamber will become a permanent platform for discussing not only draft laws but also topical political, social and economic issues.
At the same time, the exact composition of participants has not yet been determined. The Kurultai Bureau must approve the Regulations on the Public Chamber, determine its composition and appoint its senior officials. The final decision on draft laws remains with the MPs.
