Kazakhstan Kurultai approves WTO services regulation bill in first reading

September 16, 2026 at 10:30 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan's Kurultai approved in first reading a bill ratifying changes to the country's WTO services commitments on September 16, 2026. Trade Minister Arman Shakkaliyev presented the bill, which aligns Kazakhstan with WTO rules on domestic services regulation. The move follows Kazakhstan's foreign trade growth from $76.5 billion in 2015 to $136.9 billion in 2025.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan's foreign trade grew from $76.5 billion in 2015 to $136.9 billion in 2025, nearly doubling since WTO accession.
In 2025, services trade accounted for about 28% of world trade, growing 5.3% compared to 4.6% for goods trade.
Kazakhstan's services exports reached about $13 billion in 2025, and e-commerce volume grew eightfold over five years to 3.8 trillion tenge.
Negotiations on the WTO services domestic regulation rules concluded in Geneva on December 2, 2021, and 72 WTO members have joined them.
The bill requires two readings in the Kurultai, and the first reading was completed on September 16, 2026.

Bill Approval

The Kurultai approved the bill in first reading on September 16, 2026, with Trade Minister Arman Shakkaliyev presenting the document. The bill ratifies changes to Kazakhstan's Schedule of Specific Commitments on Services, an annex to the protocol of accession to the WTO. The rules cover licensing requirements, qualification requirements, and standards in the services sector. The bill requires two readings in the Kurultai, and the first reading was completed on September 16, 2026.

Trade Growth

Kazakhstan's foreign trade grew from $76.5 billion in 2015 to $136.9 billion in 2025, nearly doubling since WTO accession. In 2025, services trade accounted for about 28% of world trade, growing 5.3% compared to 4.6% for goods trade. Kazakhstan's services exports reached about $13 billion in 2025, and e-commerce volume grew eightfold over five years to 3.8 trillion tenge. International organizations have noted Kazakhstan's progress in trade facilitation and digitalization of trade processes.

Regulatory Impact

The rules aim to make requirements for service providers open, objective, and predictable, while preserving the state's right to regulate services. They include recommendations on simplifying application procedures, processing times, and enabling electronic submission of applications and permits. Kazakhstan retains the right to establish licensing, qualification requirements, and other measures for health, safety, and public interests. Joining the rules is expected to create additional opportunities for Kazakh service providers on foreign markets and improve the investment climate.