Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development, Kairbek Uskenbaev, was asked about whether the authorities intend to monitor the car sales market in Russia and other countries.
Economics dictates that a global market competition is relentless. The more Kazakhstan exports its vehicles, the more the industry advances technologically and economically, creating new jobs and boosting research and development. This is the core message echoed by Uskenbaev through official channels and media reports.
The government does not see a surge of concern about Russians buying local cars. There are narratives that Kazakh citizens purchase vehicles for themselves and then resell them, though compiling precise statistics on such flows remains challenging for statisticians and policy analysts.
In practice, there is no plan to bar foreigners from buying Kazakh cars. The key strategy is to raise production volumes and keep market access open, ensuring demand from abroad does not face artificial barriers.
Uskenbaev emphasized that authorities prefer market-driven remedies over restrictions. The aim is to stimulate the domestic car industry by expanding output, not by constraining buyers. The focus is on strengthening competitiveness, improving supply chains, and encouraging investment in manufacturing capabilities that can sustain higher volumes under global demand pressures.
At the same time, the minister noted clear limits around vehicles purchased under preferential programs. These cars are not allowed to be exported under any circumstances. The state subsidizes certain categories of citizens, allowing them to buy a car without a deposit at a four percent rate for personal use. To prevent leakage of these subsidized vehicles abroad, stringent export restrictions will be put in place, ensuring that the benefits stay within the intended domestic framework.
Collage: Behind the wheel