The National Bank of Kazakhstan has raised the key interest rate by 1.25 percentage points today, from 15.25% to 16.5%, according to the financial regulator.
The bank's press service stated that the rate hike was prompted by rising inflation, which reached 9.4% in February.
The National Bank of Kazakhstan aims to reduce inflation to 5%.
Prices are rising mainly due to increased service costs, high demand, and active consumer lending. External factors, such as the situation in Russia and high global commodity prices, also contribute to inflationary pressure.
The bank predicts inflation will reach 10-12% in 2025, 9-11% in 2026, and decline to 5.5-7.5% by the end of 2027.
This will stabilize both short-term and long-term inflation expectations, preventing a continued rise in prices,” the statement said. It also emphasized that the decision would help preserve purchasing power, protect savings, and boost confidence in tenge assets.
Economic growth is expected to slow to 4.2-5.2% in 2025-2026, though reforms aimed at increasing fixed capital investment, foreign direct investment, and economic liberalization may spur acceleration.
Previously, the key rate was increased by 1 percentage point to 15.25% in December 2024, and it remained unchanged in January 2025.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy...
A Chinese-made AI chip has matched Nvidia’s H200 in tests conducted by its developer, marking a potential breakthrough in China’s effor...
China’s GJ-21 carrier-based stealth reconnaissance and strike drone has completed its first take-off and landing on board the Sichuan, the co...
The Middle East conflict remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue alongside renewed Houthi attacks. Iran says it remains open to mediation, while the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the kingdom.
Rescuers searched the wreckage of two high-speed trains in central Spain on Thursday as the death toll rose to a provisional 74, making it the country's second fatal high-speed rail disaster this year.
Evacuations and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky have begun, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. In a statement on Telegram, David Arakhamia said a six-day ceasefire was holding, and that more details would follow.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday as part of efforts to reach a deal between the U.S. and Iran, according to an official briefed on the talks.
UN human rights experts comprising a group including Special Rapporteurs and independent experts who are part of the UN Human Rights Council, have criticised French authorities over their handling of nationwide student protests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised record trade with Egypt as Moscow seeks to use its economic ties with Cairo to expand its influence across Africa, with a focus on manufacturing, infrastructure and energy.
Kazakhstan could begin building its first nuclear power plant in 2027, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on 28 October, according to Azertac. But as Central Asia steps up its energy ambitions, which countries are investing in nuclear power and which are pursuing alternatives?
Apple's latest iPhone 18 Pro series has outperformed its predecessor in early global sales, even as rising manufacturing costs and weaker demand in some markets put pressure on the smartphone industry, according to Counterpoint Research data released on Tuesday (27 October).
Uzbekistan is moving into a new phase in the development of Islamic finance, with the country’s first Islamic banking licence issued shortly before a regional forum in Samarkand brought together industry players to discuss how the sector can expand across Central Asia.
The European Union is pushing to deepen trade ties with Asia as rising global trade barriers threaten international commerce, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a visit to Singapore on Tuesday (27 October).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment