U.S. Treasury Lifts Restrictions on Oil Services for CPC and Tengizchevroil Projects
ASTANA – The United States (U.S.) Department of the Treasury issued a general license on May 15, authorizing the provision of oilfield services for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) and Tengizchevroil projects, lifting restrictions previously imposed under the Jan. 10 determination on petroleum services. According to the document, all transactions related to these two major…
Kazakhstan Unveils Plan for 100 Energy-Independent Eco-Villages with Major Chinese Investment
ASTANA – Kazakhstan presented the concept of an eco-village project aimed at building 100 autonomous eco-settlements according to BREED and LEED standards at a B2B investment forum on May 13 in Shenzhen, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. At the event, the International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Center and the China-Eurasian…
Kazakhstan, China Eye Investments in Grain, Livestock, Infrastructure
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China plan to launch a grain processing investment project focused on starch sugar production, as was reported during a May 13 meeting between Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov and CITIC Construction Chairman Yang Jianqiang, reported the ministry’s press service. The project, valued at $1.1 billion, will have a processing capacity of 700,000…
National Fund for Children Allocates Nearly $12 Million for Housing, Education
ASTANA – As of May 1, young Kazakh citizens have used $11.49 million through the National Fund for Children program, reported the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund’s (UAPS) press service. More than $6.7 million was used to improve housing conditions, while approximately $4.79 million went toward education expenses. Under the program, recipients can use the full…
UAE Investor Plans to Develop Aerotropolis in Astana
ASTANA – Terminals Astana Airport Limited, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Terminals Holding, will invest $1.1 billion to develop an aerotropolis at Astana International Airport, according to a long-term investment agreement signed with the Kazakh Transport Ministry on May 13, the ministry’s press service reported. Aerotropolis is a multifunctional complex combining an industrial…
Kazakhstan, UAE Ink Fresh Deals in AI, Logistics, Education
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concluded a few more commercial agreements on the sidelines of the Kazakhstan-UAE business forum on May 12 during the official visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Kazakhstan, reported Akorda. Earlier, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Crown…
Kazakhstan Advances Nearly $10 Bln in Chemical and Metallurgical Projects
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been implementing five major industrial projects worth nearly $10 billion, expected to create over 8,700 permanent jobs, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev said during a May 12 meeting on developing high value-added clusters in the chemical and metallurgical sectors, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. A $1.5 billion copper…
Kazakhstan, UAE Sign Over $5 Billion in Agreements During Crown Prince’s Visit
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the signing of more than 20 commercial agreements worth $5 billion during the official visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Kazakhstan on May 12, reported Akorda. During the negotiations, President Tokayev emphasized that the United Arab Emirates (UAE)…
Kazakhstan’s Investment Appeal Surges in Early 2025
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s investment appeal surged in early 2025, with seven investment agreements worth $14 billion signed in the first four months of the year, compared to only one in 2022, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service reported on May 9. These agreements represent a significant contribution to new production facilities, job creation, export potential,…
What to Expect From Visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to Kazakhstan
ASTANA – The official visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Kazakhstan on May 11-12 is seen as a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership between Astana and Abu Dhabi, founded on trust, mutual respect, and shared interests, reported Kazinform. The visit’s agenda includes…
Earthquake of Magnitude 4.2 Hits Tengiz Oilfield Area
ASTANA – A magnitude 4.2 earthquake occurred in the area surrounding the Tengiz oilfield at 11.44 a.m. on May 11, reported VolcanoDiscovery. The epicenter was located approximately 29 kilometers southwest of the village of Karaton in the Atyrau Region. The quake originated at a depth of nearly ten kilometers. According to eyewitnesses, the earthquake lasted…
Shymbulak Hosts First Eco Festival
ASTANA – The first-ever EcoDay environmental culture festival took place on May 10 at the Shymbulak ski resort, a one-day event that combined ecological education, sustainable lifestyle, and practical care for nature, reported the resort’s press service. The event aimed to demonstrate that ecological awareness is accessible to everyone and can be part of everyday…
China, Russia, Italy Remain Kazakhstan’s Top Foreign Trade Partners in 2024
ASTANA – China, Russia, and Italy led Kazakhstan’s foreign trade in 2024, accounting for the largest shares of both exports and imports, the Trade and Integration Ministry’s press service reported on May 6. Kazakhstan’s total export revenue exceeded $81 billion last year, and crude oil made up more than half of this amount – $42.9…
Kazakhstan to Present National Review on Sustainability at UN Forum
ASTANA – In July, Kazakhstan will present its third Voluntary National Review at the high-level political forum on sustainable development at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Ministry of National Economy reported on May 6. The country will join 38 others in sharing progress on implementing the UN 2030 Agenda. Kazakhstan previously presented its…
Kazakhstan, Hungary Strengthen Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Within PACE
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met on May 6 with a delegation from the National Assembly of Hungary, discussing enhancing inter-parliamentary dialogue, expanding humanitarian ties, and deepening cooperation within international organizations such as the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). According to…
Kazakhstan, Vietnam Set to Strengthen Trade and Economic Ties
ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations during a meeting on May 6, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. On the same day, a Kazakh-Vietnamese business roundtable was held in Astana, bringing…
Vietnamese, Kazakh Leaders Highlight Ties Through Shared Traditions
ASTANA – General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Tô Lâm participated in the Kazakh tradition of tusaukeser, a symbolic cutting of a baby’s leg fetters, which means wishes for an easy and successful life path, during a visit with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Ethnoauyl (ethno-village) exhibition dedicated to…
Kazakhstan, Vietnam Adopt Joint Statement on Establishment of Strategic Partnership
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm adopted a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership during Lâm’s state visit to Kazakhstan on May 6, reported Akorda. The two sides exchanged several important documents. These included a memorandum of cooperation in technology,…
Kazakhstan Rises to 44th Place in Global Open Data Inventory Ranking
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has climbed to 44th place out of 198 countries in the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) ranking by Open Data Watch, the Bureau of National Statistics reported on May 5. In 2020, Kazakhstan ranked 54th out of 187 countries, in 2022 – 51st out of 195, and in 2023 – 48th out of…
Kazakhstan, UK Deepen Strategic Partnership in Key Sectors
ASTANA – The partnership and cooperation agreement between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom has opened new prospects for deepening cooperation in critical minerals, green energy and climate, transport and logistics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, education, and financial partnerships. This was announced at the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation on April…
Kazakhstan to Build Ferroalloy-Gas Utilization Facility
ASTANA – Global metals and mining company Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with China Tianchen Engineering Corporation to build a ferroalloy-gas utilization facility in Kazakhstan, ERG reported on April 30. The 80-megawatt plant will be integrated into the smelting shop four of the Aktobe Ferroalloy Plant, converting…
QazaqAir Launches Astana-Turkistan-Samarkand Flights on Unity Day
ASTANA – QazaqAir hosted a ceremony of launching a new international flight on the Astana-Turkistan-Samarkand route at the Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport on May 1, the Day of Unity of the People. Acting Chairman of QazaqAir Adilbek Umraliev highlighted the historical, trade, and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as a key reason for launching…
Renowned Romanian Choir to Perform in Kazakhstan for First Time
ASTANA – The renowned Romanian national chamber choir, Madrigal – Marin Constantin, a hallmark of Romanian culture, will perform for the first time in Kazakhstan with a concert at Astana Opera on May 4, reported the theatre’s press service. The concert “Madrigal: The Silk Road” promises a unique musical journey inspired by the ancient trade…
Kazakhstan Introduces Investor Visa in Bid for Foreign Investment
ASTANA – Kazakhstan approved new regulations for obtaining an investor visa to enhance its investment appeal and support long-term business partnerships on April 30, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. Under the new regulations, foreign nationals who invest at least $300,000 in the charter capital of Kazakh companies or in publicly traded local securities can…
Women Lead Among Young Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Women comprise the majority of young entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan, accounting for 55.4% of all entrepreneurs under the age of 35, the Institute of Public Policy reported on April 29, citing the Bureau of National Statistics. In urban areas, women represent 55.5% of young entrepreneurs, compared to 44.5% for men. In rural areas, women…
