Kazakhstan Cracks Down on Corruption in Finance

As part of its efforts to combat the pervasive problem of corruption in its financial sector, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has launched a series of anti-corruption reforms since taking office in 2019. The country’s financial management cycle, which is vulnerable to corruption due to lack of transparency and inadequate oversight, is now under scrutiny as the government implements recommendations from the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO).

A History of Corruption

Corruption, nepotism, and administrative corruption have long plagued Kazakhstan, with evidence of its prevalence in various sectors:

• Executive branch
• Law enforcement
• Local government administration
• Education system
• Judiciary

Despite these challenges, coalitions of civil society organizations and independent media outlets have been active in monitoring and highlighting corruption risks in public contracting.

Implementing GRECO’s Recommendations

In a significant step forward, Kazakhstan is now working to implement many of the recommendations contained in GRECO’s 2022 evaluation report. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to address the entrenched corruption that continues to hinder the country’s economic development and undermine trust in its institutions.

Key Areas of Focus

To root out corruption, Kazakhstan is focusing on:

• Improving transparency and competitiveness in public procurement
• Strengthening oversight of the quasi-public sector
• Preventing corrupt practices from taking hold and ensuring government funds are used effectively and efficiently

These measures are critical to preventing corrupt practices from taking hold and ensuring that government funds are used effectively and efficiently.

A Positive Step Forward

The anti-corruption drive has been welcomed by civil society organizations and independent media outlets, who see it as a crucial step towards building a more transparent and accountable system. However, challenges remain, including political constraints on civil society and journalists, which have limited their ability to monitor and report on corruption risks.

Despite these hurdles, the government’s commitment to tackling corruption is seen as a positive sign for Kazakhstan’s future economic development and stability. With continued efforts to strengthen institutions, improve transparency, and promote accountability, the country can build a more robust and corruption-free financial sector that benefits all its citizens.