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Kazakhstan to Increase Production of High Added-Value Products

The government of Kazakhstan has identified a list of key projects concerning the manufacture of non-resource products with high added value. The list numbers 17 projects in the metallurgical and chemical industries, oil and gas chemistry, and automobile manufacturing. Each involves advanced processing of raw materials and will contribute to the development of related industries and the economy. At a government meeting on May 28, Kazakhstan's prime minister Olzhas Bektenov commented that "We must produce non-resource goods of high processing, whereby most of the profits will remain in the country and the level of economic diversification will increase.” Commenting on preferences afforded to producers under the proposed new Tax Code, Bektenov stated: “In the draft of the new Tax Code, tax rates will be determined by the complexity of production. If an enterprise produces high value-added products, the tax rates will be lower, and if they produce raw materials, the tax rate will be higher.” This year, as part of the Industrialization Map, Kazakhstan plans to launch 180 projects at a cost of 1.5 trillion tenge, and to create over 18,000 new jobs. The total volume of production will amount to 1.6 trillion tenge, including 600 billion tenge of exports and 1 trillion tenge of import substitution.

Kazakhstan and the Netherlands to Further Bilateral Cooperation

During a working visit to Astana , Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte engaged in talks with Kazakhstan President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev. Rutte had visited Astana back in 2010 during his first trip outside the EU as Prime Minister, and had not been back since his second visit in 2015. According to reports issued by press service of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the leaders' discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in various sectors including trade and economics, energy, and investment, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Information was also exchanged on their respective countries' practices regarding transport, innovation, nuclear energy, agriculture, health, climate, and water management. Welcoming the opportunity to expand dialogue on the above issues, Tokayev emphasized, "I would like to note the dynamic development of our bilateral cooperation. The Netherlands is the largest investor in our economy. The volume of direct investments has exceeded 120 billion dollars. Our countries are implementing large-scale joint projects." Furthermore, the President stated that the Prime Minister of the Netherlands's visit would provide additional impetus to the development of trade and economic relations between Astana and Amsterdam. Mark Rutte expressed his appreciation of the level of bilateral partnership enjoyed by their countries and spoke in favor of intensifying practical cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands. Turning to environmental issues, he confirmed, " We will be happy to share ideas and developments that we have in the field of agriculture, green energy, water management." Views were also exchanged on current issues on the international and regional agenda and both leaders stressed the importance of continued dialogue within the framework of interaction with the European Union.

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Middle Powers Converge: Kazakhstan and Singapore Strengthen Bilateral Ties

During his country’s first presidential-level visit to Singapore in two decades, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 23. The meeting represents an alignment of interests and resources between the two middle powers and serves to create a more balanced and cooperative global environment. Identifying middle powers When global powers become embroiled in their domestic issues or engage in rivalries that prevent effective international cooperation, middle powers step in to fill the leadership void. For instance, Canada has historically taken a lead in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations, advocating for human rights and mediating conflicts where larger powers are either unwilling or unable to engage. Middle powers, also referred to as “swing states”, are defined as influential players in international politics who resist taking sides in major conflicts and possess a specific combination of characteristics such as geostrategic location, demography, economic performance, natural resource wealth, military power and/or political influence. In a January 2024 study, the German Institute of Security and International Affairs (SWS) listed Kazakhstan among twelve notable “middle powers” in the world, who were of great importance to Germany and the EU for either shaping policies or minimizing geoeconomic risks by diversifying foreign policy relations. Kazakhstan possesses immense energy resources and critical materials for the green transition. Bordering Russia, China, and the Caspian Sea, it also offers a land bridge linking East-West and North-South corridors. Singapore is also considered a middle power with its notable regional and international influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. A highly developed country with one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world, Singapore is the only nation in Asia with a “AAA” sovereign credit rating from all major rating agencies. Additionally, it has one of the highest per capita defense expenditures globally and is among the largest arms manufacturers. A partnership between Kazakhstan and Singapore strengthens their middle power status What distinguishes middle powers from smaller powers is their ability to be more independent and active, particularly in the realm of diplomacy. The collaboration between these two leaders, therefore, helps solidify their middle power status. On a diplomatic level, President Tokayev emphasized Singapore's role as Kazakhstan’s strategic partner in Southeast Asia and expressed confidence that his state visit would strengthen bilateral relations. For his part, Prime Minister Wong highlighted that Singapore could serve as a gateway for Kazakhstan to engage with Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) while Kazakhstan could help Singapore build ties with Central Asia. Economically speaking, collaboration offers great potential gains for both sides. Currently, over 140 Singaporean entities and joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan, with total investment exceeding $1.7 billion. These numbers are expected to rise through further integration of their economies. During their recent meeting, the leaders focused on key sectors where Kazakhstan brings high strategic value. For instance, Wong expressed the importation of more agri-food products from Kazakhstan. Singapore’s Indorama Corporation is already in discussions about the production of phosphate fertilizers in Kazakhstan. Logistics is another key...

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Three Kazakh Officials Suspected of Taking Large Bribes

Three high-ranking officials from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations have been accused of receiving bribes amounting to around 40 million tenge ($90,000). The country's Anti-Corruption Service is conducting an investigation into the conduct of the chairman of the ministry's fire fighting service, and the heads of the emergency situations department of the city of Shymkent and the region of Zhetisu. The service commented: "The officials are suspected of receiving bribes on a systematic basis from a representative of business for a total amount of more than 40 million tenge. The investigative court authorized a measure of restraint in the form of detention against the suspects. The criminal case is considered on the merits by the military court of Akmola garrison." No further information concerning the investigation has been published.

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Almaty Hosts Conference on Tackling Climate Change in Central Asia

On 27 May, delegations from Central Asian countries and international experts convened in Almaty, Kazakhstan to discuss pressing issues of sustainable water and land management, energy, food security, and environmental sustainability in the context of climate change in the region. Held annually, the Central Asia Climate Change Conference provides a platform to advance regional cooperation in addressing the impact of climate change and transboundary climate risks. This year’s event, CACCC-2024, attracted over 400 participants, including policy and decision makers from Central Asian countries, international development partners, and representatives from civil societies, the private sector, and academia. Addressing the delegates, Zafar Makhmudov, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) announced: “Central Asia is vulnerable to the adverse effects of a rapidly changing climate, given its agricultural economy, aging infrastructure, and rapid population growth. The need to improve regional cooperation in energy and water resources management alongside approaches to adaptation to climate change is obvious. The conference aims to strengthen this cooperation to increase the region's resilience.” Regarding funding, Tatiana Proskuryakova, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, stated, “Climate change is an urgent challenge, and the countries of Central Asia can only address it if they work together. This means tackling a broad set of issues simultaneously, from adopting and implementing green policies to deploying green financing and investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. We will continue working hand in hand with our government counterparts, sharing our analysis and advice, but also providing finance for priority investment projects for the benefit of people in Central Asia.” On an encouraging note, Dr. Caroline Milow, Programme Manager for the Green Central Asia Initiative, GIZ added: “With the adoption of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, Central Asia is one step ahead of many other regions in the world. It helps further cooperation and coordination to strengthen adaptation and mitigation to climate change, which is ever more felt in the region. I am positive that these joint efforts among the countries will bear fruit for the entire population of the Aral Sea Basin.”

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Kazakhstan’s Nomadiq Innovation Hub Opens in Singapore

The Nomadiq Innovation Hub has now officially opened in Singapore. A private initiative, the aim of the hub is to promote Central Asia as a single region in Singapore and advance cooperation in IT entrepreneurship. At the opening ceremony, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, Zhaslan Madiev remarked that the new hub was designed to attract new start-up projects and unite Turkic countries’ efforts to expand digital solutions. “We have high hopes for the Nomadiq Innovation Hub in achieving goals that represent the interests of Kazakhstan and in particular, increasing the export of Kazakh IT products and attracting investment to our country,” the minister said. “Kazakhstan already has significant experience in developing and supporting start-ups and innovative projects. For example, the Astana Hub International Technology Park for IT Start-ups, launched five years ago, has now become one of the leading technology parks in Central Asia with 1,403 participants, including 388 foreign companies.” Outlining the project’s objectives, Olzhas Zhienkul, Chairman of the Board of Nomadiq Innovation Hub, announced, “Our main goals include the provision of in-depth and personalized support to selected projects, helping build sustainable business models and developing customized growth strategies. We are also focused on overcoming barriers to entry into international markets and will strive to position our region as a promising platform for venture investors.” Nomadiq is Kazakhstan’s third overseas innovation hub, joining the Silkroad Innovation Hub in the USA, and that in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, named after the great philosopher al-Farabi.