The Central Asian C909 Flying Hospital Mission, organized as part of China’s airborne health Silk Road initiative, was launched in Almaty last week, aimed at bringing high-quality ophthalmic services to medically underserved regions in Belt and Road partner countries. This is the first such project in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, implemented in partnership between Al-Farabi
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is contributing to the development of sustainable and ecologically responsible mining and processing in Kazakhstan by supporting the operations of its long-term client Solidcore Resources (SR), an AIFC-listed company and the country’s leading gold producer. The EBRD will provide a loan of up to US$ 300
International investor interest in Central Asia and the Caucasus is rising rapidly, according to a new Investor Perception Report released by Montfort Eurasia. New data shows that interest from US and UK investors in the region has tripled since 2023 – despite lingering concerns over political stability and investment security. Investors showed particular interest in
A “Republic of Kazakhstan – United States of America” Business Roundtable was held in Astana last week, bringing together representatives of government agencies, the business community, international corporations, financial institutions, and expert circles from both countries. The event served as an important platform for discussing a new stage of Kazakhstan-U.S. economic cooperation based on investment,
THE SILK ROAD’S NEW REALITY In 2013, China’s newly nominated President Xi Jinping gave a much-heeded speech in Astana, Kazakhstan’s brushed-up capital. His main concern focused on nothing less than how to invigorate the ancient Silk Roads, “in order to promote people-to-people friendship”. After eleven years, in 2024, jointly with Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev, Xi Jinping
The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, Citi, and Freedom Holding Corp. have signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop a large-scale AI cluster. The key objective of the partnership is to establish an artificial intelligence cluster powered by advanced GPU technologies, along with the construction of a state-of-the-art data
As part of his official visit to Turkmenistan on July 1, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev was received by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. During the meeting, the Kazakh Foreign Minister conveyed warm greetings and best wishes on behalf of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Kosherbayev underscored the special importance
The “Investing in Central Asia: Opportunities and Partnerships” session dedicated to attracting capital from the Gulf countries and China was held on the second day of the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Almaty last week. Ruslan Dalenov, Deputy Chairman of the EDB Management Board, noted that the Bank envisages five
The new Constitution of Kazakhstan has come into force on July 1, and the country’s bicameral Parliament will now be replaced by a unicameral Kurultai. “The entry into force of the new Constitution is a historic event that will have a direct impact on the future of our nation. Our Basic Law opens the way
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and AKASHI DATA CENTER PLC have agreed on key terms for financing the first phase of construction of a Tier IV data center in Kazakhstan in the amount of US $90 million. The agreement was signed last week in Almaty on the sidelines of the EDB’s Annual Meeting and Business
The Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan Business Forum, which brought together representatives of government agencies, business circles, and industry organizations from both countries, was held in Astana as part of the 14th meeting of the Intergovernmental Kazakh-Turkmen Commission. Participants discussed prospects for expanding trade, economic, and investment cooperation, as well as specific measures to increase mutual trade, according to
One of the most moving and symbolic moments of the Issyk-Kul Forum earlier this month was the unveiling of a memorial bust dedicated to Murat Auezov, an Honorary Member of the Eurasian Creative Guild, in the garden of the House-Museum and Library of his great father, Mukhtar Auezov, in Cholpon-Ata. For me, this was far
Kazakhstan has officially joined the international Pax Silica initiative, becoming the first country from the region to do so. The Declaration of Accession of Kazakhstan to Pax Silica, as well as the joint statement on the AI Opportunity Partnership, were signed on behalf of Kazakhstan by Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence
The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has initiated efforts to establish lasting conditions for the growth of technology entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. As part of its digital economic transformation strategy, the Ministry is developing a post-2028 support framework for Astana Hub participants, with a planning horizon extending to 2045. The initiative aims to create
During his working visit to China on June 23, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang. The parties discussed the implementation of agreements reached at the highest level, as well as prospects for further strengthening Kazakh-Chinese cooperation, including trade development, expansion of investment
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to Brussels on 23 June and met with António Costa, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The leaders welcomed Tokayev’s visit as a strong signal of the growing strategic partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan at a
On June 23, the European Commission launched the Connectivity Agenda Platform and concluded agreements with international financial institutions expected to mobilise up to €2 billion for strategic connectivity investments in the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan reported. The Platform was unveiled at a high-level
The relevant Memorandum of Intent on cooperation in the field of water resources and irrigation management, as well as the development of sustainable agriculture in the context of climate change, was signed by the Kazakh National University of Water Management and Irrigation, the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, and Kabul University. The document was signed
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is facilitating more fluid cargo and passenger traffic flows along the Trans-Caspian Corridor, the EU’s Global Gateway flagship initiative, and supporting the establishment of sustainable transport connections in Central Asia by helping to finance the completion of upgrades to a key transport route in western Kazakhstan. The
On June 21, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin held talks in Kabul with Afghan Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund and Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar. The parties discussed issues of humanitarian, trade, economic, and investment cooperation. Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the mining and metallurgy sector.