The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov on March 26 met with the Chairman of the People’s Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, Erkin Tuniyaz, who arrived in Astana to participate in the second forum on “New approaches to the development of trade relations between Kazakhstan and China”. The two officials discussed cooperation
China has been strengthening ties with Central Asian nations with the aim to secure access to the region’s energy resources — oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, and renewable energy sources. China needs these energy resources for accelerated economic development in its northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which borders Central Asian countries. This is one of
Kazakh officials have confirmed the conviction of a nephew of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who lost his influence on the country’s political scene after deadly, unprecedented anti-government protests in January 2022, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service reported. The Astana City Court told RFE/RL on March 20 that Samat Abish was convicted of abuse of power and handed a suspended
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is helping to address pressing water treatment and environmental issues in Kazakhstan’s fourth-largest municipality, Aktobe, by financing the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant and associated infrastructure. The Bank is extending a sovereign loan of up to KZT 47.4 billion (€ 96.4 million) to state-owned JSC Aqtobe
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov on March 18 held a meeting on the implementation of instructions of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to improve the quality of life in the country, announced at the third meeting of the National Kurultai (Congress) on March 15. On the issue of repair and modernisation of the
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is supporting the expansion of Araltuz, a leading Kazakhstan-based producer of table and low-grade technical salt in Central Asia, by extending a convertible loan of up to KZT 5.5 billion (€11 million). The funds will be provided to Salt Industry Ltd., a joint-stock company operating under the
Deputy Prime Minister–Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu during his visit to Austria on March 16 met with the top management of the leading companies in the construction, logistics, and machinery industries. During the conversation with the CEO of the Lasselsberger Group, Josef Lasselsberger, the progress of the investment project for the production
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a loan in the amount of $600 million to Kazakhstan, marking the first phase of a series of reforms aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the country. The reforms support Kazakhstan’s transition towards an economy that is greener, has more competitive markets, and is more
The Governments of the United States, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan joined private sector representatives in the inaugural B5+1 Forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from March 13-15. Announced by President Biden during the inaugural C5+1 Summit in September 2023 and highlighted in the corresponding New York Declaration, the B5+1 is the private-sector-led counterpart
A former resident of Almaty, who now lives in Germany, on his Tik Tok page under the nickname “mambethologe” creates provocative content regarding Kazakhs, Kriminalnyi Kazakhstan reported on Telegram. In his videos, the man insults residents of Central Asia, in particular residents of Kazakhstan. The author of the videos is Vladislav Richter. Born in 1973
Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced that it has agreed with Kazakhstan not to introduce restrictions and bans on products licensed in Kyrgyzstan. Kazinform information agency recently reported that Kazakhstan planned to introduce a ban on some products licensed in Kyrgyzstan from July 1, 2024. According to the Committee for Technical Regulation and
Meetings with the participation of Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan on Science and Innovation Kunsulu Zakarya, Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Gabidulla Ospankulov, and the leadership of the Chinese company BGI Group were held in Astana. The parties discussed the progress of the company’s projects in Kazakhstan, including
The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov on March 14 visited the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in the Turkestan region to inspect the progress of execution of the Head of State’s instruction to ensure the preservation of this unique architectural monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Mausoleum is part of the architectural
Construction of solid waste processing plants in major cities of Kazakhstan was considered at a government session this week. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev reported that the government approved a mechanism of preferential financing of projects in the field of waste management. This applies to the purchase of rubbish trucks, the launch
The Kazakh-Belgian business forum with the participation of more than 60 officials and representatives of business communities of Kazakhstan, Belgium and Luxembourg was organized on March 12 in Brussels by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Brussels, as well as the BEСI (Brussels) and BeNeLux (Astana) Chambers of Commerce. While greeting the participants, Ambassador of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry has announced that Google launches YouTube Premium in Kazakhstan, unlocking new opportunities for users and content creators alike. This event marks a significant step in the country’s digital infrastructure and its integration into the global network, the ministry said. During a working visit in March of
Kazakhstan intends to sign an agreement with Kyrgyzstan on the promotion and protection of investments, KazTAG information agency reported on March 12. “To approve the draft agreement between the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on the promotion and mutual protection of investments,” says the draft
On March 11, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Azerbaijan on a state visit. In Baku, Tokayev held talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev. The two leaders also participated in the first meeting of the Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Tokayev and Aliyev also took part via a teleconference in the ceremony of
On the initiative of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Bulgaria, on the eve of International Women’s Day, in the National Library “St.St. Cyril and Methodius” in Sofia, a photo exhibition, “Women of the Great Steppe,” opened with the first visitors including deputies of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, representatives of the diplomatic community, creative intellectuals,
Kazakhstan on March 9 confirmed that two of its citizens were shot dead in Russia in what the Kremlin said was an antiterrorism operation that prevented an attack against a synagogue in the Moscow area, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service reported. “The media published reports about the killing of two Kazakh citizens by Russian law-enforcement agencies during an attempt
