Dear residents of Kostanay! Dear fellow countrymen!
I sincerely congratulate you on the national holiday of our country – Republic Day!
On October 25, 1990, an important step was taken, opening a new chapter in the history of our nation.
Today, Republic Day has become a key symbol of a Just Kazakhstan, founded on the rule of law, civil equality, conscious patriotism, and the supremacy of the will of the people.
Throughout the years of independence, Kazakhstan has travelled a remarkable historical path, overcome significant challenges, strengthened its standing in the international arena, and laid a solid foundation for further development.
We must remember and continually speak about our country's achievements, because they are all the result of the genuine sovereignty of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The year 2026 holds special historical significance. Our country has entered a new stage of constitutional development and is celebrating the 35th anniversary of Independence.
This year is also particularly important for our region, as Kostanay Region marks its 90th anniversary. Over these decades, our region has travelled an important path of formation and development.
Thanks to the dedicated work of several generations, industrial enterprises were established, agriculture developed, and the economic and social potential of our region took shape.
Among the outstanding individuals whose names are forever inscribed in the history of Kostanay Region and our country are Heroes of Socialist Labour Kamshat Donenbayeva, Vera Sidorova, and Mikhail Yarovoy. The people of Kostanay take particular pride in the contributions of Kazakhstan's Heroes of Labour Sairan Bukanov, Boris Knyazev, and Almat Tursynov, who continue the region's distinguished traditions of hard work and achievement.
Today, we proudly follow their example, contributing to the strengthening and prosperity of an independent Kazakhstan.
On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who works tirelessly for the development and prosperity of our region. I am confident that you will continue to actively participate in implementing constructive initiatives aimed at building a Just Kazakhstan guided by the principles of Law and Order.
Strengthening statehood and achieving national goals largely depend on the sustainable development of regions, their economic potential, and their ability to create new opportunities for citizens. In this regard, Kostanay Region makes a significant contribution to the country's development, the strengthening of the national economy, Kazakhstan's international standing, and the prosperity and well-being of our people.
Today, Kostanay Region is one of the country's most dynamically developing regions.
For two consecutive years, we have exceeded the targets set by the Head of State for economic growth. At the end of 2024 and 2025, we achieved economic growth of more than 8%, against a planned target of at least 6%.
Our goal for the current year is to ensure growth of at least 6%.
Over the years of independence, the structure of the regional economy has changed significantly. In 1991, agriculture accounted for 46.5% of the gross regional product, while industry represented only 17.4%. Today, we have substantially increased industrial output, with industry accounting for more than 33% of the regional economy, while agriculture represents 9.4%.
In the industrial sector, we are gradually moving away from a raw-material-based model. Currently, more than 70% of industrial output comes from manufacturing. This demonstrates that we are not only extracting raw materials but also developing the production of finished goods.
Today, Kostanay Region ranks fourth among the country's 20 regions in manufacturing output, having improved from fifth place last year. Our goal is to enter the top three.
A new industrial sector has taken shape in our region. Kostanay Region has rightfully become Kazakhstan's centre of mechanical engineering.
We account for 25% of the country's total mechanical engineering output, and this share is expected to grow further. Plans are already in place to build several additional mechanical engineering plants.
Today, the sector brings together major enterprises producing passenger cars, trucks, tractors, combine harvesters, automotive components and spare parts for passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as products for railway transport.
The launch of the KIA plant was a significant event not only for our region but for the entire country.
The new plants opening in our region are modern, high-tech production facilities equipped with more than 150 robots.
Approximately 6,000 people work at mechanical engineering enterprises. Between 55% and 70% of their employees are young people under the age of 35, including graduates of our colleges and universities. For example, the average age of employees at the KIA plant is slightly above 30.
It is encouraging to see growing interest among young people in technical professions. Since 2021, 25 new specialisations have been introduced at colleges across the region, including five in mechanical engineering.
In accordance with the instructions of the Head of State, dual-degree programmes have been established at our universities in partnership with leading universities around the world.
Higher schools specialising in mechanical engineering, metallurgy and mining, economics and construction, energy, and information systems have also been established.
Today, more than 20,500 students study at the region's universities. They include 294 international students and 4,440 students from other regions of Kazakhstan.
Specialist training is carried out in close cooperation with regional enterprises, with an emphasis on dual education and the acquisition of modern technological skills.
These measures enable our enterprises to recruit qualified professionals and strengthen the region's human resource potential.
Our key objective is to train in advance the specialists most in demand, equip them to work at modern production facilities, and establish the skilled workforce needed for the further industrialisation of Kostanay Region.
Kostanay Region is rightfully regarded as one of the country's leading agricultural regions. Agricultural output continues to grow every year, supported by the opening of dairy farms, the diversification of crop areas, and improvements in agricultural technology.
This year's harvest campaign concluded with an average yield of 14.9 centners per hectare. More than 6 million tonnes of grain were harvested.
For the second consecutive year, substantial funding has been allocated to agricultural development in accordance with the instructions of the Head of State. Nationwide, financing has exceeded 1 trillion tenge.
In particular, our region received 326 billion tenge this year, compared with 207 billion tenge last year. This represents a 1.6-fold increase in funding and clearly demonstrates the substantial state support provided to the agro-industrial complex.
While maintaining our status as the country's breadbasket, we are transforming our approach to agricultural development.
Today, it is essential not only to grow agricultural products but also to establish modern processing facilities and manufacture goods with high added value.
Our region ranks first in flour production and second in food production.
The Head of State has tasked us with increasing the share of processed products in the agro-industrial complex to 70% within three years.
Currently, we process 93% of milk, 79% of meat, 33% of grain, and 31.5% of oilseed crops.
The region is systematically transitioning from the production and export of raw materials towards a complete production cycle, from fields and farms to deep processing and the manufacture of finished products. Deep processing of meat, milk, and grain remains among our key priorities.
Modern processing plants and factories have been built. The new confectionery factory, Konditerskaya Stolitsa, has begun operations. Its launch will help establish the region as one of the country's major confectionery producers.
Construction of an oil extraction plant is underway. Next year, a large pasta factory with an annual production capacity of 90,000 tonnes is scheduled to open.
Our next strategic step is to implement deep grain-processing projects, including bioethanol production for the European market and the manufacture of improved sustainable aviation fuel, known as SAF.
The implementation of this project alone will increase the share of processed grain to 41%.
As a result, our region has taken first place among Kazakhstan's 20 regions in exports of processed agricultural products. Our share of national exports is expected to grow further.
Economic growth is impossible without developing transport connectivity. That is why roads are being repaired throughout our region, not only in cities but also in rural areas.
Over the past three years, 1,072 streets in 305 villages have been repaired, and access roads to 185 villages have been upgraded.
In addition, thousands of kilometres of major highways leading out of the region have been reconstructed. These include routes connecting us with the Russian Federation, Astana, North Kazakhstan Region, and Aktobe Region.
An important project, Centre–West, is being implemented in accordance with the instructions of the Head of State. As part of this initiative, a new highway is being built through Arkalyk and Torgai, providing access to the Trans-Caspian route.
Repairs to the Zhezkazgan–Petropavl highway, from Arkalyk to the border of Ulytau Region, are nearing completion. Once completed, the route will be shortened by more than 500 kilometres, and transport flows from the southern regions of the country will pass through Arkalyk.
In this way, Kostanay Region is becoming an important transport hub connecting the north, south, and west of Kazakhstan.
This year, major railway stations have been renovated, and Kostanay Airport has been modernised. In accordance with the instructions of the Head of State, the airport in Arkalyk, which had been out of operation for more than 30 years, has been restored.
Regional economic growth and the implementation of investment projects are stimulating business activity. Greater investment attractiveness and the arrival of new investors will enable us to increase investment in the regional economy further.
Small and medium-sized businesses play an important role in the development of our regional economy. Their share of gross regional product has increased from 5% in 1998 to 30% today. The value of their output exceeds 3.2 trillion tenge. The sector employs 172,000 people, representing 38.1% of the region's economically active population.
Government financial support has provided a significant boost to entrepreneurship. Through the Business Roadmap and Employment Roadmap programmes, as well as the regional Isker Aimaq project, entrepreneurs have gained access to interest-rate subsidies on loans, loan guarantees when collateral is insufficient, and grants for establishing innovative production facilities.
As a result, thousands of residents have been able to start their own businesses, establish themselves financially, expand production, and create new jobs.
Behind these achievements are new enterprises, employment opportunities, and additional prospects for the development of our cities and villages.
All of this strengthens the regional economy, improves residents' well-being, and makes a significant contribution to the prosperity of our native land.
However, people are at the heart of every achievement. The hard work of our residents drives regional development and strengthens Kazakhstan's economy. Their professionalism, responsibility, and dedication to their work are the essential foundations of our shared success.
The ultimate purpose of all economic achievements is to improve citizens' quality of life.
Economic development and industrial growth are driving a series of positive changes in our cities. The emergence of new production facilities and enterprises attracts new residents and provides a powerful impetus for the construction sector.
Over the past five years alone, the population of our regional capital has increased by more than 25,000 people.
In recent years, approximately 80 multi-apartment residential buildings have been commissioned annually. Construction is progressing not only in cities but also in rural areas.
Since 2023, approximately 261,500 square metres of housing, or more than 1,200 houses, have been built in villages.
Since 2023, more than 100 social facilities have been commissioned across the region. These include 10 schools, 15 kindergartens, more than 30 healthcare facilities, around 40 sports facilities, and eight cultural facilities.
Another 21 social facilities are under construction this year alone.
New schools, healthcare institutions, and sports facilities are also being built in rural areas. New physical fitness and wellness centres have opened in almost every district.
Thanks to the opening of new healthcare facilities, the provision of modern medical equipment, and screening programmes, life expectancy in the region has increased from 68 years in 1992 to 74.9 years in 2025.
Over the past three years, the overall mortality rate has decreased by 38.4%, mortality from diseases of the circulatory system has fallen by 29%, and mortality associated with tuberculosis, injuries, and accidents has declined by 31%.
The proportion of cancer cases detected at early stages has increased by 28%. This reflects the growing effectiveness of screening programmes and greater vigilance among healthcare professionals in identifying oncological diseases.
The Head of State has highlighted the strong educational performance of Kostanay Region.
According to the international PISA 2025 study, our region significantly exceeded national averages in three areas and entered the top three. We ranked second in reading literacy and third in both scientific literacy and digital problem-solving.
These results reflect systematic efforts to improve the quality of education.
Over the past three years, 10 new schools providing 6,800 student places have opened in the region. Schools are receiving upgraded facilities and equipment, while new subject classrooms, STEM laboratories, and robotics classrooms are being established.
Additional education centres for children are also expanding. The IQostanay SMART Centre has been operating in Kostanay since 2023. Around 2,000 schoolchildren study robotics, programming, 3D modelling, and engineering there.
When discussing sports development, we should first highlight the creation of modern sports infrastructure. After all, athletes' high levels of performance depend directly on the quality of their training facilities.
Today, residents of every city and district in our region have greater opportunities to participate in sports.
In recent years, 41 sports facilities have been built or reconstructed, including 19 physical fitness and wellness centres and the country's largest indoor water park, Octopus.
In the regional capital, construction of a multifunctional stadium and a modern Table Tennis Centre is nearing completion. These facilities will provide new venues for training and competitions.
In Arkalyk, construction continues on two physical fitness and wellness centres and an indoor hockey rink. In the regional capital, work has begun on a modern physical fitness and wellness complex for people with disabilities.
In addition, a martial arts hall is being built in Kostanay, while a multifunctional Sports Palace is under construction in Tobyl. The need for this facility was highlighted by the Head of State. Currently, the region has no complex of comparable scale.
The centrepiece of the Sports Palace will be a main arena with seating for 3,000 spectators. It will provide a venue for major sporting competitions, including international events, as well as concerts, forums, and public gatherings. This will create the conditions needed to host large-scale events in our region.
Our main task is to keep pace with the times, introduce modern solutions across all areas of life, and create conditions in which every resident can experience the tangible benefits of our country's development.
An important component of these transformations is the implementation of the Head of State's Taza Kazakhstan programme.
Kostanay Region continues to be one of the country's cleanest and greenest regions. We are consistently shaping a modern regional image to improve residents' quality of life and strengthen our investment appeal.
With the support of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, our region is becoming the heart of Kazakhstan's domestic mechanical engineering industry, a centre of modern production, advanced technologies, and new industrial opportunities.
At the same time, human capital remains Kostanay Region's principal competitive advantage.
I am confident that, through the diligence of our fellow countrymen, the unity of our people, and our collective efforts, we will make an even greater contribution to the development of an independent Kazakhstan.
Dear fellow countrymen!
Republic Day is a celebration of unity and creation, national spirit, and good deeds.
Today, thanks to your support, solidarity, and mutual understanding, we continue to achieve significant successes. Our country is moving confidently towards a bright future and achieving major results in building a prosperous Kazakhstan.
I believe that dedicated work, mutual respect, and sincere love for our homeland will continue to guide us towards new heights and help us fulfil our shared aspirations.
May our country remain strong and prosperous, may our independence remain steadfast, and may the unity of our people grow ever stronger!
I wish you all good health, happiness and well-being for your families, and prosperity in every home!
Happy Republic Day!
