Oslo, 8 April 2025 – The first Kazakhstan-Norwegian Business Council, organized with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Norway and the “East” Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was held in Oslo. The event became a pivotal step in reinforcing trade-economic relations and establishing direct ties between the business communities of the two nations.

Keynote addresses were delivered by:

• H.E. Adil Tursunov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Norway;
• Jon Kvistad, Norway’s Ambassador to Central Asia.

The speakers underscored the critical importance of deepening political and economic dialogue.

Kazakh delegation’s presentation:
R.T. Barakov, Research Fellow at the Scientific-Production Center for Fisheries LLP (subordinate to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture – Fisheries Committee), delivered a comprehensive report covering:

• Current status of aquaculture in Kazakhstan;
• Key provisions of the Fisheries Development Program 2030;
• State support mechanisms and scientific oversight for the sector;
• Expansion of investment projects in operational and planned fish farming/processing enterprises, with emphasis on creating a robust scientific-practical foundation for implementing cutting-edge innovative technologies.

Spotlight on Norwegian partnerships:
Dedicated sessions under the B2B format addressed the transfer, localization, and installation of Norwegian equipment for Kazakh aquaculture/processing facilities, featuring discussions with industry leaders Optimar and Morenot Aquaculture.

Strategic discussions:
The Council explored collaborative prospects in:

• Logistics
• Renewable energy
• Agricultural processing & export
• Eco-technologies
• Industrial safety
• Digital transformation

Since March 31, the ichthyology laboratory team of the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP (head of the expeditionary unit – S.Zh. Makambetov, acting head – Zh.M. Bakkhozha, researcher – R. Igilik, senior laboratory assistant – N.M. Zhazykbaev, laboratory assistant – N.K. Sakharin) has been conducting scientific research at the Lower and Middle Kolsai Lakes. These lakes are located within the specially protected natural area of the Kolsai Kolderi State National Nature Park, under Program 021 (Subprogram 100).

The objective of the study is to examine the reproduction of trout in the Kolsai Lakes. Currently, the expedition team is collecting ichthyological samples for biological analysis, including morphometric data (length and weight), sex identification, maturity stage, age, and fecundity.

The Lower and Middle Kolsai Lakes are situated in the Kegen District of the Almaty Region. Comprehensive scientific research at the Kolsai Lakes has been carried out by the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries since 2017.

On April 3, 2025, a working meeting on the 2024–2026 targeted financing programs is being held at the head office of Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP.

During the meeting, reports were presented by the heads of the targeted financing program tasks:

1. “Development and implementation of innovative technologies and new aquaculture facilities that are economically efficient in the natural and climatic conditions of various regions of Kazakhstan.”
2. “Comprehensive studies of water bodies for the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources based on an assessment of their potential and modeling of stock dynamics.”

Participants:

• Program heads:

• K.B. Isbekov (Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan)
• S.Zh. Asylbekova (Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan)

• Representatives of partner organizations:

• S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University (NAO)
• Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute LLP
• Scientific and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology LLP

• Scientific staff of Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP

Meeting outcomes:

•  Assessment of project implementation progress
• Determination of key directions for the next period
• Recommendations for improving the quality of research and development

To implement the instructions of the Head of State, announced on March 14 of this year at the fourth meeting of the National Kurultai, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS, Russia) and leading Russian research institutes, will officially open the Kazakh-Russian Center for Advanced Technologies in the Agro-Industrial Complex on April 2, 2025.  

The opening ceremony will be attended by Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, General Director K.B. Isbekov, and Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Deputy General Director of the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP S.Zh. Asylbekova.

The Center for Advanced Technologies will collaborate closely with leading Russian and Kazakhstani research institutes, serving as a platform for experience exchange, the development of innovative solutions, and the implementation of high-tech approaches in agriculture.

It is expected that the center will drive the creation of new agrotechnology start-ups, further strengthening the scientific and technological potential of both countries.

The establishment of the Kazakh-Russian Center for Advanced Technologies in the Agro-Industrial Complex will mark a significant milestone in advancing breeding and genomic selection, as well as in the development of innovative and environmentally sustainable agriculture. This will enable a more effective response to modern challenges and contribute to ensuring global food security.

The Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a meeting chaired by the head of the department, Serik Sermagambetov. The event was attended by heads of interregional basin inspections, structural departments, and subordinate organizations.

During the meeting, issues related to the implementation of state support measures for the industry, strengthening efforts to attract investments, the introduction of digital e-Fish control tools, as well as the implementation of programs for stocking reservoirs, fulfilling state orders for the artificial reproduction of fish resources, and modernizing the production base of fish hatcheries were discussed. Special attention was paid to cooperation with local executive bodies, combating poaching, and anti-corruption measures.

Following the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee issued a number of instructions to the heads of interregional basin inspections and subordinate organizations aimed at developing the fishing industry.

From March 17 to March 19, 2025, an academic/Coordinating Council is taking place at the head office (Almaty) of the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries to review and approve research and development work programs for scientific and technical programs for 2024-2026. The meeting is held in a hybrid format, bringing together participants both in person in the hall and online.

The meeting is attended by representatives of the Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as key partners—co-implementing organizations of the programs:

NAO “Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University named after S. Seifullin”;

Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute LLP;

Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology;

Scientific and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology LLP;

Factor System Research Company LLP;

On the agenda:

Review of work programs on the topic: “Development and implementation of innovative technologies and new aquaculture facilities that are economically effective in the natural and climatic conditions of various regions of Kazakhstan,” Program leader: Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan S.Zh. Asylbekova;

Review of work programs on the topic: “Comprehensive studies of reservoirs for the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources based on an assessment of their potential and modeling of stock dynamics,” Program leader: PhD, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.B. Isbekov;

Consideration of work programs on the topic: “Determining the fish productivity of fisheries reservoirs and/or their sites, developing biological justifications for maximum allowable catches of fish and other aquatic animals, the regime and regulation of fishing in fisheries reservoirs of international and national significance, as well as assessing the state of fish resources in reserve reservoirs of local importance.” Program manager: Director of the Aral branch, PhD T.T. Barakbaev;

Other issues (reports on the activities of the SMU, the Trade Union Committee, reports on the implementation of the scientific publication plan, doctoral students’ reports).

Upon completion of the meetings, all work programs will be sent for approval to the General Director of LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center».

From March 3 to 6, 2025, specialists from the Hydrobiology Laboratory of LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center» held a training seminar on the topic “Enhancing Work Quality through Research Standardization.”

During this period, A.D. Omralinova, a junior researcher at the comprehensive laboratory of the Northern Branch, together with Zh.O. Mazhibayeva, PhD, Head of the Hydrobiology Laboratory, M.O. Aubakirova, PhD, L.A. Zhdanko, researcher, and Sh.T. Tursinaly, senior laboratory assistant, conducted research on the identification of various groups of zoobenthic and zooplanktonic invertebrates.

For four days, seminar participants exchanged views and experiences in the field of hydrobiological research. In addition, many issues related to identifying the taxonomic composition of microscopic aquatic organisms in reservoirs in the northern part of the republic were resolved.

Scan семинар 2025 г.

Today, March 3, 2025, in Atyrau, an off-site meeting of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held on the topic “Strong Regional Science – Strong Region”, with the participation of the President of the Academy, A.K. Kurishbaev.

During the meeting, issues related to the development of regional science, strengthening the link between science and production, and discussing regional priorities for the development of science and technology aimed at addressing the technological challenges of the industry and regional issues were considered.

The meeting was attended by E.L. Kadimov, Director of the Atyrau branch, and G.G. Dzhunusova, Research Associate, from FRaPC LLP. At the exhibition held as part of the event, FRaPC LLP presented sturgeon species grown at the Aktau Balyk LLP fish breeding complex as part of a scientific research program.

On February 26, 2025, Almaty hosted the awarding ceremony for laureates of prizes and state scientific scholarships in the field of science. The ceremony was held at the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event was attended by Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Academician, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairman of the Board – Rector of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University Akylbek Kurishbayev, scientists and university professors.

Since May 2024, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been working to create a list of young scientists (up to and including 40 years old) in need of housing. About 300 applications have been received from scientific organizations and universities subordinate to government agencies located in Almaty. In pursuance of the President’s instructions, the commission for the allocation of apartments for young scientists of scientific organizations, organizations of higher and postgraduate education to provide housing in Almaty has identified another list of young scientists in need of housing. Our researcher at the aquaculture laboratory, Efim Bulavin, is also included in this list.

Akylbek Kurishbayev personally awarded the laureates of the state scientific scholarships and noted the contribution of each laureate to the development of science and education.

Vice Minister Amangali Berdalin was acquainted with the work of the fish farm «Zhumabay», located in the Talsuat rural district.

During the visit, the Vice Minister visited several facilities aimed at developing the fisheries industry in the Aral region and met with industry specialists.  During the visit, he visited the fish-processing factory LLP «Aral Seafood» in Aralsk city, where he was acquainted with the deep processing technology of the enterprise.

Moreover, Vice Minister Amangali Berdalin explored the work of the State Enterprise «Kamystybas Fish Hatchery» in the Kozharsky rural district and find the implemented projects for the development of the fisheries of Lake Kamystybas. The Vice Minister noted that the referred requirements will be taken into account in order to develop design and estimate documentation for the reconstruction of fish hatcheries throughout the republic.

At the end of the visit, Vice Minister Amangali Berdalin held a meeting with entrepreneurs involved in fisheries at the Olympic and additional education center «Kamystybas». During the meeting, issues of developing fisheries of region, ways of its further improvement were discussed, and proposals from industry specialists were heard.

The Vice Minister emphasized the importance of state support in the development of agriculture and fisheries, noting that work in this direction will be intensively continued.