Kazakhstan's infrastructure projects face scrutiny over local content compliance gaps
Public Council Calls for Stricter Oversight of Kazakh Content in Projects During Field Session in Karaganda Region
During a field meeting in Karaganda Region, members of the Public Council—following visits to facilities operated by the Mining and Metallurgical Company (MMC)—urged stronger oversight of Kazakh content requirements in projects, Liter.kz reports.
Before the session, participants inspected several sites in Temirtau and Karaganda. In Temirtau, they examined a newly upgraded heat main and reviewed progress on another section. In Karaganda, the delegation visited the water treatment plant operated by Karagandy Su LLP and the M2 heat main with its pumping station.
The inspections and subsequent meeting raised a number of concerns regarding project implementation.
The discussion included Dusenbay Turginov, chairman of the Public Council and a Mazhilis MP; Asel Dangilova, executive director of the Union of Processing Industries public association; and Petr Svoik, a public figure and honored energy specialist.
Particular attention was paid to compliance with Kazakh content mandates. Asel Dangilova noted that, in practice, there is no clear mechanism to monitor adherence to these standards.
"While Kazakh content requirements are in place, the oversight mechanism needs further refinement," she said. "It is crucial to establish a systematic approach to tracking this indicator at the level of local executive bodies and contracting organizations."
In response, local authorities pledged to step up monitoring in this area.
The session also featured reports from Temirtau Mayor Galym Ashimov, Karaganda Mayor Meiram Kozhukhov, and Anar Baitukenova, deputy chair of the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies.
Summarizing the meeting, Public Council Chairman Dusenbay Turginov outlined recommendations to improve transparency and efficiency in project execution. These included submitting detailed work schedules for 2026 and ensuring regular updates on reconstruction progress.
Recall that in 2025, eight of Kazakhstan's natural monopoly entities moved from the "red zone" of critical wear to the "yellow zone." Similar improvements are planned for another eight enterprises in 2026.
The modernization of utility infrastructure continues: in 2026, the country plans to repair 7,600 km of networks, including 7,124 km of power lines, 135 km of heating mains, 200 km of water supply systems, and 98 km of wastewater networks.
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