Research Article

KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY

Volume: 8 Number: 4 November 1, 2026
  • Nadezhda Tasmaganbetova *
  • Gulimzhan Suleimenova

KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY

Abstract

The article considers the development of the leather industry of Kazakhstan in the context of industry diversification and sustainable production. The goal of the research is to assess the current state of the leather industry and develop policyoriented recommendations to transform it into a competitive and environmentally sustainable industry. The methodology uses a mixed-methods approach that includes analysis of official statistical data, policy analysis, and semi-structured interviews with key industry actors. The findings indicate that the industry is characterized by limited deep processing, underutilized capacity, environmental costs, weak institutional coordination, and a shortage of personnel. Based on the comparative analysis of the European Union, Türkiye, China, and Uzbekistan, a framework concept for the KazLeather 2030 transformation is proposed that includes the e-vet&Traceability digital platform, the KazLeather Research Grant and the implementation of the KazLeather environmental standard. The research contributes to discussions on modernizing resource-based industries and offers practical instruments for upgrading value-added chains.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Conducted through voluntary interviews with adult experts, the study examined the development of Kazakhstan’s leather industry, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and compliance with ethical research principles, with no formal ethical approval required (Official Letter No. 05-2/708, July 31, 2026, Akim of Zhanakala District).

References

  1. Abdikerimova, G. I., Yesbolova, A. Y., Kulanova, D. A., Mergenbayeva, A. T., & Daurbayeva, M. U. (2022). Problems and prospects of leather industry development in Kazakhstan. *Technology of Textile Industry, 1*(397), 28–32. https://doi.org/10.47367/0021-3497_2022_1_28
  2. Aiyar, S., & Benatiya Andaloussi, M. (2025, November 25). Industrial policy can lift productivity—but comes with risks and trade-offs. *IMF Blog*. https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2025/11/25/industrial-policy-can-lift-productivity-but-comes-with-risks-and-trade-offs
  3. APK Novosti. (2025, November 18). *Glubokuyu pererabotku kozhi skota stoimost’yu 22,5 mlrd tenge naladyat v Kazahstane* [Deep processing of cattle hides worth 22.5 billion tenge will be established in Kazakhstan]. https://apk-news.kz/news/item-6114
  4. APLF. (2021, November 23). *China: The local leather industry’s response to China’s 14th five-year plan*. https://www.aplf.com/2021/11/23/china-the-local-leather-industrys-response-to-chinas-14th-five-year-plan/
  5. Ardolino, F., Parrillo, F., & Arena, U. (2024). Environmental performance of three innovative leather production processes using less chromium and water. *Sustainable Production and Consumption, 50*, 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2024.07.030
  6. Baboev, F. (2022). Ya veryu, chto v blizhajshchem budushchem Uzbekistan vojdet v chislo desyati stran s samoj razvitoj v mire kozhevenno-obuvnoj promyshlennost’yu [I believe that in the near future Uzbekistan will become one of the ten countries with the most developed leather and shoe industry in the world]. *Shoes Report*, (197). https://www.shoes-report.ru/archive/197/
  7. Bispo, S. Q. A., Silva, F. A., Martins, M. M. V., Nonnenberg, M. J. B., Vianna, R., & Cruz, C. C. P. (2026). Traceability of agri-food products: The key to conscious trade. *Agribusiness, 42*(4), 2307–2322. https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.22061
  8. Chasovskikh, V. P., & Starikov, E. N. (2022). Institucional’no-organizacionnyj mekhanizm promyshlennoj politiki: metodologicheskie aspekty formirovaniya [Institutional and organizational mechanism of industrial policy: Methodological aspects of formation]. *Fundamental Research, 10*(1), 142–146. https://doi.org/10.17513/fr.43357

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Economic Theory (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nadezhda Tasmaganbetova * This is me
0009-0003-2619-6216
Kazakhstan

Gulimzhan Suleimenova This is me
0000-0001-7332-504X
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

November 1, 2026

Submission Date

February 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 4

APA
Tasmaganbetova, N., & Suleimenova, G. (2026). KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY. Eurasian Research Journal, 8(4), 416-433. https://izlik.org/JA33CL55YB
AMA
1.Tasmaganbetova N, Suleimenova G. KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY. ERJ. 2026;8(4):416-433. https://izlik.org/JA33CL55YB
Chicago
Tasmaganbetova, Nadezhda, and Gulimzhan Suleimenova. 2026. “KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY”. Eurasian Research Journal 8 (4): 416-33. https://izlik.org/JA33CL55YB.
EndNote
Tasmaganbetova N, Suleimenova G (November 1, 2026) KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY. Eurasian Research Journal 8 4 416–433.
IEEE
[1]N. Tasmaganbetova and G. Suleimenova, “KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY”, ERJ, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 416–433, Nov. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA33CL55YB
ISNAD
Tasmaganbetova, Nadezhda - Suleimenova, Gulimzhan. “KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY”. Eurasian Research Journal 8/4 (November 1, 2026): 416-433. https://izlik.org/JA33CL55YB.
JAMA
1.Tasmaganbetova N, Suleimenova G. KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY. ERJ. 2026;8:416–433.
MLA
Tasmaganbetova, Nadezhda, and Gulimzhan Suleimenova. “KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY”. Eurasian Research Journal, vol. 8, no. 4, Nov. 2026, pp. 416-33, https://izlik.org/JA33CL55YB.
Vancouver
1.Nadezhda Tasmaganbetova, Gulimzhan Suleimenova. KAZLEATHER 2030: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING KAZAKHSTAN’S LEATHER INDUSTRY. ERJ [Internet]. 2026 Nov. 1;8(4):416-33. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA33CL55YB

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