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Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

Vagit Ismailov is a Kazakhstani journalist. He has worked in leading regional and national publications.

Articles

International Relations International trade Economic Cooperation International Cooperation Trade China

Trade Volume Between Kyrgyzstan and China Reaches $11 Billion

Trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and China for the first seven months of 2024 reached approximately $11 billion, as reported by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Torobayev, in Beijing. Torobayev emphasized that the foundation for successful cooperation was laid during the meetings between Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In 2023, the volume of trade turnover between the countries reached $20 billion, 32% more than in 2022. Torobayev also noted that important steps to strengthen cooperation continue. In particular, the project to build a railroad connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan is moving forward. Another significant event was the opening of the simplified border crossing point “Bedel” on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border, which indicates the beginning of a new stage in bilateral relations. Cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China covers trade, energy, and infrastructure spheres. In addition, China is actively investing in hydropower and implementing programs to improve Kyrgyzstan's infrastructure. These projects are expected to contribute to sustainable economic growth.

4 months ago

International Cooperation Defense Bilateral Relations Turkey Air Transport

Agreement by Kazakhstan and Turkey on Air Transit

The Government of Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Turkey on the transit of military equipment and personnel through the airspace of both countries. The resolution, adopted on September 11, establishes a procedure for using air corridors regulated and authorized by the Ministry of Defense, responsible for the transit of military equipment and personnel; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for issuing annual and one-time diplomatic permits (DCNs); and the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. Each party has committed to submitting a formal request through diplomatic channels by December 1 of a given year to obtain an annual diplomatic authorization number (DCN) which will be valid for transit operations from January 1 to December 31 of the following year. Enabling the transit of official delegations, military equipment and personnel, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic cargo, the decree comes into force from the day of its signing. The draft agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Turkey on the transit of military property and personnel through the airspace of both countries was published on the portal “Open NPA” on August 13 and was under discussion until August 27. The move which illustrates the strengthening relationship between the two countries, follows Kazakhstan's president's attendance at Recep Tayyip Erdogan's inauguration as president in Ankara in June 2023, Erdogans visit to Astana in November of the same year, and his return in July 2024, for the SCO Summit.

4 months ago

Environment Nature Agriculture Saigas

Kazakhstan Now Home to 99% of the World’s Saiga Population

The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Nysanbayev, has announced that the number of saigas in Kazakhstan has risen to around 4.1 million, equivalent to 99% of the global population. Just over half of the population - 2.8 million- resides in West Kazakhstan Oblast and the overall figure takes into account those born during May's birthing season. The presence of such large numbers of this type of antelope has not however, always been welcomed. As referenced by Nyanbayev, to lessen their damage to agriculture, Kazakhstan had previously taken measures to regulate the population. As recently as 2023, 42,000 saigas were seized, with their meat sold through processing plants in four regions. Under instruction of the Head of State, the practice has been stopped and commending the move, Nysanbayev reported, “No other state today has such a population. This is thanks to the efforts that the state: Money was spent, specialized enterprises were organized, and many legislative measures were taken." Saigas are one of the oldest breeds on the planet, dating back 250,000 years. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, and with unique nasal filters to help clean the air of dust and keep cool in the heat, the saiga migrate great distances, traveling up to 1,000 kilometers in search of food. A ban on shooting and hunting saigas in Kazakhstan was introduced in 1999. This decision was part of a conservation effort to protect the animals, whose population had been significantly reduced by poachers intent on seizing their horns, highly valued in traditional medicine. In December 2023, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) updated the status of the Saiga from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened, but estimated the global population at 1.9 million, up from a low of 39,000 as recently as 2005. An April 2024 survey conducted by the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, however, recorded a population of 2,833,600 in Kazakhstan prior to the birthing season. The figure 4.1 million, therefore, falls within the range of the recent average increase in numbers of 48%. Saiga Antelopes – which migrate in excess of 1,000 kilometers between their summer and winter ranges because of “extreme variations” in climate - remain acutely susceptible to sudden mass deaths from pasteurellosis, an acute bacterial disease which killed up to 200,000 of the species in a three-week period in Kazakhstan in 2015.

4 months ago

Army Military Service Legislation Education

Kyrgyzstan Proposes Discounted Education to Those Who Have Served in the Army

A draft law has been submitted for public discussion in Kyrgyzstan that would give citizens who have completed military service the right to preferential admission to primary, secondary, and higher education institutions, and a 50% discount on tuition fees. The document is published on the Jogorku Kenesh website. The authors note that this project recognizes military personnel's contribution to national security, and facilitates their successful adaptation to civilian life. The bill emphasizes that the educational benefits will help former soldiers make up for the time they could have spent on their studies. In addition, the proposed measures are seen as an incentive for young people to enlist in the military, which, according to the authors, will increase the overall level of professionalism of soldiers. After completing their service, many soldiers struggle to integrate into civilian life. The tuition discount will help them gain the necessary skills for successful employment, which will, in turn, positively impact the qualifications of the country's workforce. Similar laws on educational benefits for veterans are in place in several countries. The U.S. has a "GI Bill" program that assists veterans in paying university tuition and job training. The Philippines also provides benefits for veterans, including health care. In the U.K., veterans can receive discounts on tuition fees at several universities, especially in specialized programs. Post-Soviet countries also have laws to provide educational benefits for those who have served in the military—for example, Russia's program discounts university tuition for veterans and military personnel. Kazakhstan also benefits military personnel through tuition discounts and other educational opportunities. Moldova continues to improve its education legislation, and certain changes include support for veterans and their access to educational resources.

4 months ago

Digital Technologies Almaty Digitalization Digital Service

Start of Robot Deliveries in Almaty

Almaty is now using Yandex Qazaqstan robots for home deliveries of orders from restaurants and cafes via its Yandex Go service. Equipped with sensors, including lidar and cameras, which enable them to recognize objects and avoid obstacles and pedestrians, as well as a neural network system capable of recognizing traffic lights and road signs, the robots move independently around the city. With a capacity of 60 liters, each robot's cargo compartment can accommodate, for example, several pizzas and drinks, accessed by customers via the Yandex Go app. During the first phase, the robots will operate within one city district but in time, travel further afield and expand connections between new cafes and restaurants. Welcoming the initiative, Zhanabek Olzhas Nurzhanuly, head of Almaty's digitalization department, said the use of the robots could help make the city greener and more convenient for residents. In addition to making deliveries, robots have also appeared in Yandex Maps, where they can replace the usual navigation cursor via a simple app. update. Delivery robots are actively used in several countries. For example, Starship Technologies' robots have already made over 5 million deliveries in Estonia, the UK, and U.S. In the latter, in partnership with Grubhub, they mainly serve university campuses, and in Europe, robots deliver food and goods via apps such as Bolt Food,

4 months ago