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Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China

The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China was officially launched in Beijing on 28-29 March. The occasion was marked by several events including a Kazakh-Chinese forum on the development of tourism and investment, an exhibition representing Kazakhstan’s various regions, cultural activities staged in an ethno-village, and a gala concert. In his welcoming speech at the Kazakh-Chinese tourism and investment forum, Ermek Marzhikpayev, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, said: “The Year of Tourism of Kazakhstan in the People's Republic of China is a landmark event that helps strengthen friendly relations between the two countries. We believe that our dialogue will give new breath and new horizons for partnership in the field of tourism, creating the basis for fruitful and long-term cooperation.” He added that Kazakhstan’s rich nomadic culture, centuries-old history, and unique natural landscape has much to offer to travellers with wide-ranging interests. Kairat Sadvakasov, chairman of Kazakh Tourism national company, likewise celebrated the launch saying, “We are convinced that Kazakhstan is one of the most attractive destinations for Chinese tourists, being not just a friendly and neighboring country with a visa-free regime, but also a strategic partner of the 'Belt and Road' Initiative. We offer tourists engagement with the concept of ‘Eco-Ethnic-Entertainment-Events’ including: ecotourism, ethno-tourism, and cultural entertainment.” China was second only to Russia in the list of countries whose citizens visited Kazakhstan in 2023. According to official statistics, over the first nine months of last year, more than 75,000 Chinese tourists stayed in Kazakh hotels, and a total of over 200,000 visitors from China visited Kazakhstan.

Central Asia Kyrgyzstan Justice Home International Affairs Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Features Kyrgyzstan Features

Kyrgyzstan Assassination Plot: Suspected Crime Boss Raimbek Matraimov Held in Pretrial Detention

The corrupt Kyrgyz oligarch Raimbek Matraimov will spend the next month in pretrial detention in Bishkek, after the former deputy head of Kyrgyzstan’s customs service was extradited from Azerbaijan on Tuesday. Matraimov, once known as the country’s “kingmaker” for the influence his clan held over the Kyrgyz Government, was found to have profited from corrupt schemes he ran at the customs service, laundering at least $700 million for himself by allowing companies to evade import fees. In October 2020, upon the formation of a new government led by President Sadyr Japarov, Matraimov was ordered to repay $22.3 million in damages and restitution back to the state. However, rather than fall in line with Kyrgyzstan’s crackdown on organized crime, in recent years Raimbek Matraimov appears to have remained outside the law. The former official is now suspected of orchestrating a recent plot to assassinate members of Kyrgyzstan’s current leadership in retribution for the government’s fight against organized crime. It is the discovery of this plot that led Kyrgyz law enforcement to request Matraimov’s extradition this week from Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, along with his three brothers, Tilek, Islambek, and Ruslan. Of the Matraimov brothers’ seizure in Azerbaijan, the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security (CNSK) commented: “In this regard, on March 22, employees of the CNSK carried out operational and investigative measures, as a result of which all the above-mentioned persons were detained [in Baku]. Currently, investigative measures are being carried out to bring them to justice, according to the laws of Kyrgyzstan.” On Wednesday, March 27, the Birinchi Mai district court in Bishkek ruled that Raimbek Matraimov must stay in pretrial detention at the CNSK’s detention center until at least April 26. Officially, he is suspected of “money laundering and the abduction and illegal incarceration of unnamed individuals”. Matraimov had already been placed on the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions list, and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (the ‘Magnitsky Act’), for his previous crimes at the customs service.

Central Asia International Affairs Kazakhstan Kazakhstan International Affairs Business & Economy Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Container Trains from China to Europe through Kazakhstan reaches 80%

On March 25th, Marat Karabaev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport visited Urumqi in China’s western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, home to the International Dry Port, the Express Delivery Center (Jitu Express), the China-Europe Railway Express Hub, and the office of the Xinjiang Trade and Logistics Corporation. The occasion marked the anniversary of the departure of the 150th container train, Tian Shan, along the China-EU route. During the ceremony, it was stated that over the 10-year period since the launch of China’s Belt and Road initiative in 2013, about 85 thousand container trains were sent from China to Europe; 80% of which had passed through Kazakhstan. Earlier this month, the Kazakh government announced plans to increase the volume of cargo transported by rail to 450 million tons and by road to 316 million tons. The proposed increase in transit transportation to 30 million tons will include that of cargo along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route to at 4.2 million tons.

Central Asia International Affairs Local Politics Kazakhstan Kazakhstan International Affairs

Kazakh Peacekeepers to be Sent to the Golan Heights

The Kazakh Defense Ministry has issued a report on the handing over of the United Nations’ flag to the peacekeeping contingent of Kazakhstan. The solemn ceremony took place on March 22nd at the Fawhar peacekeeping base, located in the area of responsibility of the UN mission on the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria. After the head of the Irish contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Clear, had handed over the UN flag to the commander of the Kazakh contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Zhiger Aipov, the latter commented: “Since the transfer of the UN flag, our unit has become a full participant in the mission in the Golan Heights and we have now begun to carry out the assigned tasks.” This is the first time in Kazakhstan’s history that the UN has given the country a mandate to carry out an independent peacekeeping mission. During the year, the Kazakh peacekeeping contingent will patrol the area, strengthen checkpoints, maintain ceasefire between warring parties, and perform other tasks in accordance with the mandate of the UN mission. Peacekeepers from Kazakhstan have undergone thorough selection and training in accordance with the UN’s requirements and standards and according to Kazakh Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov, 139 servicemen are ready to be to be sent to the Golan Heights.

Central Asia Turkmenistan International Affairs Turkmenistan International Affairs Turkmenistan Business & Economy Business & Economy

Turkmenistan and Italy Expand Transport Cooperation

A Turkmen delegation led by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov visited Italy on March 20th for negotiations with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani. The foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations in political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian sectors. The Turkmen Foreign Minister also held talks with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Italy, Matteo Salvini and top representatives of the Italian transport sector. The parties discussed expanding cooperation in the field of railway and maritime transport, and signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the ports of Turkmenbashy (Turkmenistan) and Naples (Italy).

Central Asia International Affairs Kazakhstan Kazakhstan International Affairs Business & Economy Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan and Qatar to Implement Projects Worth $17.6 Billion

On March 20th the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov attended a meeting in Qatar with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During discussions, Bektenov emphasized the importance of the two countries’ economic partnership in the Arab world and reported on the imminent implementation of large-scale and strategically significant investment projects worth an unprecedented amount of $17.6 billion. The governments of Kazakhstan and Qatar subsequently signed an agreement on establishing a long-term strategic partnership for the development of projects in priority sectors. Projects include the construction of gas processing plants in Kazakhstan at a cost of around $5.7 billion. The additional construction of a Aktobe-Kostanay gas pipeline and the second section of the Beineu-Bozoy-Shymkent gas pipeline for a total cost of around $7.7 billion, will develop gas supplies to Kazakhstan's northern regions. A further investment of around $2.7 billion will fund the construction of a combined cycle gas power plant with a capacity of 1,100 MW, and a hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of 350 MW, to ensure long-term energy security of Kazakhstan. With reference to agriculture, the Prime Minister declared Kazakhstan’s readiness to supply halal and organic products to Qatar, and stated that the two countries are on course to construct plants for the deep processing of wheat, peas and milk in Kazakhstan.