The interview of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, published in Turkistan, can be regarded as an extended explanation of the country’s course toward a new stage of modernization. Economic decisions, social policy, and value-based issues are brought together within a single framework: Kazakhstan is encouraged to gradually move away from previous approaches that relied on inexpensive resources, habitual dependence on permanent benefits, and limited competition, and to shift toward a more just and disciplined model of development based on modern governance and digital technologies. At the same time, it is emphasized that the social orientation of the state must be preserved, while education and a culture of reading remain key pillars. The central idea of the interview is that reforms are ongoing and require the joint participation of the state, business, and citizens; some measures may be difficult to perceive—such as changes in tariffs, taxation, and the system of benefits—but they are presented as necessary steps toward long-term sustainability and an improved quality of life.
Modernization in the interview is not portrayed as a short-term campaign or a collection of isolated initiatives, but as a long, complex, and sometimes contentious process that has already passed the point of no return. While noting macroeconomic achievements—GDP growth of over 6 percent, an economy exceeding USD 300 billion, and GDP per capita above USD 15,000—the President deliberately shifts the focus from quantitative indicators to qualitative change. These figures are interpreted as an external “showcase” behind which inflationary risks and structural imbalances persist. The main outcome of 2025, he argues, is the irreversibility of reforms and the strengthening of public understanding of the need for large-scale transformations for the sake of future generations, linking the new stage of modernization with greater legality, civility, and responsibility.
The economic and fiscal section of the interview is built around the idea of “resetting” the social contract. Tax reform is presented not as an instrument of fiscal pressure, but as an element of modern partnership between the state, business, and citizens. According to the President’s logic, the new Tax Code should shift emphasis from excessive control toward mutual trust, where paying taxes is perceived as a conscious contribution to public goods—such as infrastructure, security, and high-quality public services. In this context, Kazakhstan is described as a country facing the classic middle-income trap, where formal economic growth does not automatically translate into improved living standards due to inflation, debt burdens, and high household social expenditures. This, in turn, explains the necessity of unpopular decisions, including higher tariffs, stricter budget discipline, and a review of the benefits system.
Subsidies and social support occupy a special place in the discussion. The President consistently points to distortions arising from per capita financing in education and healthcare, where private entities receive significant budgetary resources without delivering commensurate results. The issue of fictitious social statuses, including abuses related to disability and veteran benefits, is viewed as a manifestation of systemic imbalances and an erosion of the principle of social justice. Transparency, digitalization, and stronger law enforcement practices are proposed as key instruments for restoring order.
The issue of tariffs and energy is interpreted as a fundamental departure from the entrenched belief in the social benefits of low prices. The interview emphasizes that prolonged tariff restraint effectively functioned as a hidden subsidy for large consumers and privileged economic groups, while vulnerable segments of the population gained minimal advantages. Raising tariffs and modernizing energy and utility infrastructure are justified as the only path to sustainable sectoral development. At the same time, particular emphasis is placed on targeted social support and differentiated payment approaches, enabling a balance between market incentives and the protection of those truly in need.
Logistics and transit are considered strategic directions directly linked to Kazakhstan’s geoeconomic role. The lack of direct access to the sea is compensated by the development of transport corridors and infrastructure, positioning the country as a key land-based hub between East and West. The enumeration of major railway and road projects, as well as references to transit routes stretching from the Yellow Sea to the Black Sea, shape an image of Kazakhstan as an important link in Eurasian logistics and a participant in major international initiatives.
The agricultural sector is presented through the lens of efficiency enhancement. Despite increased levels of subsidization, returns from agriculture remain limited, prompting a reorientation of the development model toward cooperation. The consolidation of farmers into production and distribution chains is interpreted not only as an economic measure, but also as an element of a new development ideology focused on collective responsibility and sustainable growth.
Relations between the state and business are framed within the logic of “constructive patriotism.” While recognizing the importance of protecting private property and the legitimate interests of entrepreneurs, the President simultaneously underscores the moral responsibility of large capital toward society. Philanthropy and business participation in addressing social challenges are presented as an honorable duty rather than a compulsory obligation, symbolically reinforced through institutions of public recognition.
Digitalization and artificial intelligence occupy a special place as symbols of technological advancement. The interview constructs an image of Kazakhstan striving to join the ranks of digital powers and avoid falling behind in an environment of global technological competition. References to concrete institutional steps—such as the establishment of specialized bodies, legislative frameworks, supercomputing infrastructure, and educational programs—highlight the systemic nature of the approach. Digital transformation is interpreted as the foundation for forming a new technical class and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the state.
The section devoted to law and order, the January events, and asset recovery logically fits into the broader concept of the rule of law. These topics are presented as evidence of the state’s capacity to ensure stability and justice under crisis conditions. The return of illegally acquired assets is demonstrated through specific financial figures and social projects, reinforcing the argument that this policy is practical in nature and aligned with public interests.
Kazakhstan–China relations appear in the interview indirectly and in a functional manner. China is mentioned as a key partner in logistics, transit, and technological cooperation, integrated into the broader multivector context of foreign policy. Thus, bilateral relations are presented not as an independent political narrative, but as an element of a pragmatic development strategy.
Taken as a whole, the interview forms a coherent image of Kazakhstan entering a phase of difficult yet deliberate modernization. Economic reforms, social policy, digital transformation, and value orientations are integrated into a unified concept of a new social contract based on responsibility, justice, and the rule of law. The concluding message of the interview is that modernization is understood not only as institutional and technological renewal, but also as a profound transformation of the social and moral fabric of society. In this sense, the proclaimed “new stage of modernization” emerges as a strategic choice that, in the President’s assessment, will determine Kazakhstan’s long-term sustainability and its place in the future world order.
China Studies Center
Source: akorda.kz
