South Korea’s YPP Corporation is set to invest up to $3.1 billion in a large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Kazakhstan, following the signing of a framework agreement with the national investment promotion agency, Kazakh Invest.

The agreement was signed on July 15 by Azamat Kozhanov, Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Invest, and John M. Bek, Chairman of the Board at YPP Corporation (Your Permanent Partner), an engineering and energy firm based in South Korea.

According to Kazakh Invest, the “Green Energy Complex” aims to establish a full-cycle production chain for green hydrogen and ammonia powered by renewable energy. The project includes the construction of solar and wind power plants with a combined capacity of up to 2 gigawatts, along with electrolysis systems and ammonia synthesis units. Annual output is projected at up to 75,000 tons of green hydrogen and 310,000 tons of green ammonia.

While most of the output will be exported, a portion will be used domestically. The facility will also include supporting infrastructure such as energy storage systems, logistics and water supply networks, and potential integration into Kazakhstan’s heat and power systems, particularly in the Almaty region.

“This project fully aligns with Kazakhstan’s long-term energy strategy and our ambition to become a key player in green hydrogen,” said Kozhanov. “Kazakhstan’s renewable energy potential is estimated at 1,820 billion kWh from wind and 2.5 billion kWh from solar annually. Global interest in developing green energy here is growing steadily.”

YPP founder John M. Bek cited Kazakhstan’s favorable geography and investment climate. “We see Kazakhstan as a strategic partner and are committed to implementing a project that brings together Korea’s advanced technology and global best practices in sustainable energy,” he said.

The agreement paves the way for the next phase of development, including a detailed investment model, regulatory approvals, and potential partnerships with major offtakers such as Samsung C&T.

Internet restrictions in Turkmenistan have intensified sharply in recent weeks, according to sources who spoke with turkmen.news. Authorities have reportedly expanded the national IP blacklist by adding numerous /16 subnets, each covering over 65,000 IP addresses. While such sweeping blocks might appear politically motivated, insiders claim the real motive is commercial: corrupt officials are using the restrictions to market and sell VPN services and “whitelist” access they control themselves.

In July 2024, Turkmen authorities briefly restored access to around 3 billion previously blocked IP addresses, raising hopes of a more open digital environment and a boost to the stagnant online economy. However, that reprieve proved temporary. The blocks soon returned, initially targeting smaller /24 subnets (255 IP addresses each). This summer, the government’s cybersecurity department escalated efforts by blocking entire /16 subnets, cutting off hundreds of thousands of websites in a matter of weeks.

Restrictions Without Justification

Turkmenistan already ranks among the most digitally isolated nations. Independent media, global social networks, and any platforms perceived to host criticism of the government have long been inaccessible. However, the latest wave of blocks is not driven by political considerations, as most politically sensitive platforms were already restricted.

Instead, the scale and targets of the new blocks suggest other motivations. According to turkmen.news, even benign and essential online services, such as update servers for antivirus software like Bitdefender and some Google utilities, have been caught in the dragnet. Experts warn that this poses a growing cybersecurity risk in a country with limited digital literacy and inadequate access to software updates.

Selling Access in a Closed System

Sources allege that Turkmen officials are using the crackdown to corner the market for virtual private networks. VPN keys now cost around 1,000 manats (roughly $50) per month, while access to a whitelist, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, can run up to $2,000 monthly. The officials reportedly behind the scheme are said to be deliberately blocking alternatives to force users into purchasing their products.

Last year, turkmen.news identified several figures allegedly involved in this scheme: Maksat Geldyev, Allanazar Kulnazarov, and Didar Seyidov. While these individuals reportedly profit from the artificial scarcity they create, the broader economy suffers. Analysts estimate that Turkmenistan loses millions of dollars daily due to the constraints on digital development, which is a key factor in modern GDP growth.

Official Denials Amid International Scrutiny

Despite mounting evidence, the Turkmen government continues to deny the severity of the situation. The Foreign Ministry recently issued a statement condemning Ukrainian television channel FreeDom for what it described as “biased and false” coverage of the country’s internet restrictions.

Nonetheless, experts warn that unless the government reverses course, Turkmenistan’s digital isolation will continue to hinder economic development, deepen cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and further disconnect its population from the global information space.

Kazakhstan’s economy expanded by 6.2% in the first half of 2025, marking the country’s fastest growth rate since 2011. The data was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin during a government meeting.

Zhumangarin noted that a similar level of growth was last recorded in the first half of 2011, when GDP increased by 7.1%, eventually reaching 7.5% for the full year. Since then, annual growth rates have rarely surpassed 6%. By comparison, the economy grew 4.8% in 2024.

“The current figure is 0.2 percentage points higher than the growth recorded in the first five months of this year and is the highest in the last 14 years. For context, growth during the same period in 2024 was just 3.2%,” Zhumangarin said. He cited the real sector (+8%) and the services sector (+5.2%) as the primary drivers.

Key Growth Sectors

Transport (+22.7%) and construction (+18.4%) led the surge, driven in part by a 35.2% increase in grain and flour exports, which totaled 11.8 million tons. The mining industry also posted steady gains, with oil production rising 11.6% and coal production up 11.7%, contributing to overall mining growth of 8.4%.

Manufacturing expanded by 5.5%, buoyed by strong performances in machinery (+11.1%), food production (+10%), oil refining (+9.6%), metal products (+14.6%), construction materials (+8.6%), and chemicals (+7%). Agricultural output rose by 3.7%.

Trade and Investment Outlook

From January to May 2025, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover reached $53.5 billion. Exports stood at $29.8 billion, including $10.2 billion in high value-added products. Imports rose by 2.2% to $23.8 billion, resulting in a positive trade balance of $6 billion.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reaffirmed the government’s ambition to double Kazakhstan’s GDP by 2029, a goal originally set in 2023.

“Last year, our GDP was $286 billion. This year, we expect to surpass the $300 billion mark. If current growth rates hold, we are capable of reaching $450 billion by 2029,” Bektenov stated at a press briefing.

He emphasized that the government is investing in industrial development, economic diversification, and high value-added production to ensure that the majority of national revenue and profits remain within Kazakhstan.

Diverging Forecasts

Earlier this year, the Eurasian Development Bank forecast Kazakhstan’s GDP growth at 5.5% for 2025, with similar rates expected for 2026 and 2027. However, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently downgraded its 2025 forecast from 5.2% to 4.9%, citing potential risks to oil output.

Over the past decade, Kazakhstan has evolved from a promising tennis nation into a formidable contender on the global stage. Elena Rybakina’s Wimbledon triumph, Alexander Bublik’s steady rise, and a new wave of top-ranked juniors are no coincidence; they are the product of a long-term, meticulously executed strategy.

In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, Yuriy Polskiy, President of the Asian Tennis Federation and Vice President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF), explains how strategic investment, public-private partnerships, and a grassroots approach have fundamentally reshaped the country’s tennis landscape.

TCA: Kazakhstani tennis players have recently made headlines at top international tournaments. How would you assess Kazakhstan’s current standing on the global tennis map? Are the successes of Elena Rybakina and Alexander Bublik, as well as the emergence of top juniors, the result of systemic work or just coincidence?

Polskiy: Luck plays a role in any athlete’s career, but it’s fleeting. Kazakhstan’s results, among both professionals and juniors, are consistent, which points to a system that delivers. Over the past decade, we’ve seen numerous players ranked in the world’s top 30: Shvedova, Voskoboeva, Kukushkin, Golubev, Korolev, Nedovyesov, and more recently, Diyas, Putintseva, Danilina, Bublik, and, of course, Rybakina. Together, they’ve secured four Grand Slam titles, reached multiple singles and doubles finals, and won WTA 1000, 500, and ATP/WTA 250 tournaments.

Among the juniors, talents like Dastanbek Tashbulatov, Amir Omarkhanov, and Sonya Zhienbayeva have ranked in the ITF Top 5 and Top 20. Our Under-14 and Under-18 national teams have reached the world’s top four and consistently defeated traditional powerhouses such as Australia, France, Italy, and Argentina. These results underscore the strength of Kazakhstan’s national coaching program and the Federation’s long-term vision.

In 2024, Kazakhstan had six players in the ITF junior Top 100, including three in the Top 50. Seven more under-14s were ranked in the Tennis Europe Top 100, more than Italy, currently the leader in that category. Notably, all 13 of these top-ranked juniors were born and raised in Kazakhstan, highlighting the success of a nationwide, structured development model that blends public support with private initiative.

TCA: What is the Federation’s strategic outlook for the next five to ten years? How extensive is the infrastructure, and are there plans to expand into smaller cities?

Polskiy: Since 2007, when businessman and philanthropist Bulat Utemuratov became the KTF president, Kazakhstan has built 38 major tennis centers, each with at least six courts, totaling 364 hard and clay courts nationwide. Over the past 17 years, more than $150 million has been invested in infrastructure. Hundreds of coaches have been trained, particularly for early childhood programs. The number of certified ITF coaches has nearly doubled in five years, now surpassing 400.

Infrastructure growth has significantly reduced training costs: hourly court rental has dropped from $50 in 2007 to just $10 today. Facilities now exist in 16 of the 18 regional capitals and smaller cities like Lisakovsk. Major complexes in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Karaganda, Aktobe, and Ust-Kamenogorsk each include six indoor and ten outdoor courts, allowing over 1,000 children per city to train regularly.

However, demand continues to outpace supply. In Astana and Almaty, each center maintains waitlists of 500-600 children. To meet this, new high-standard complexes are being constructed, including a 14-court facility in Almaty and another in Astana. Additionally, the Federation is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to introduce tennis in kindergartens and schools, ensuring access for children from remote regions.

International partners like Lexus play a crucial role, funding equipment and supporting coach education and certification. These partnerships help ensure that growth is inclusive and sustainable.

TCA: How well prepared is Kazakhstan’s coaching system to produce new stars? Is there still reliance on foreign specialists?

Polskiy: Our priority is developing local players and coaches. These go hand in hand: strong coaching develops talent, and working with top athletes enhances coaching expertise.

For example, last year, Eva Korysheva of Aktobe, coached by Pavel Tsoy, became Asia’s top U14 player and competed at the AO Elite Trophy in Australia. Traveling with her coach, Pavel gained firsthand experience of a Grand Slam-level event – a priceless opportunity.

We emphasize maintaining the bond between a player and their first coach. Seminars and educational initiatives support this, and when foreign experts are brought in, local coaches work alongside them. Former players like Dastanbek Tashbulatov, Ayap Sagadat, and Zhansultan Chembotaev are now part of Team Kazakhstan, nurturing the next generation under international mentorship.

TCA: How many children currently play tennis in Kazakhstan? What support exists for regional talents?

Polskiy: More than 30,000 children now play tennis in Kazakhstan. Around 3,500 receive free training and participate in tournaments at no cost. Many regional teams benefit from free or discounted court time during off-peak hours.

The top 150 players under 14 are enrolled in a national development program. Another 32 older athletes receive full or partial funding through the Team Kazakhstan scholarship. Selection is based on national tournament performance and expert evaluations.

Team events like the U12 and U14 Kazakhstan Cups are central to talent discovery, as they energize coaches, motivate young athletes, and allow for the early identification of standout players. Inspired by Italy and Canada, the Federation has introduced talent ID systems across regional centers and continues to invest in hosting national and international tournaments. Families are essential partners, from logistics to emotional support, in building long-term success.

TCA: What are the national teams’ goals at events like the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup? What role do stars like Rybakina and Bublik play?

Polskiy: The men’s team aims to return to the Davis Cup World Group, while the women’s team is targeting victory in the Billie Jean King Cup. We believe both goals are realistic.

These victories inspire the next generation. Young players want to emulate Rybakina, Bublik, Putintseva, and Zhukayev. We host regular masterclasses, giving children the opportunity to meet, train with, and learn from these stars, boosting their confidence and drive.

TCA: Does Kazakhstan have a realistic shot at winning a Grand Slam or team world championship soon?

Polskiy: Absolutely. Elena Rybakina has already won Wimbledon. Yaroslava Shvedova holds two Grand Slam doubles titles. Anna Danilina has won in mixed doubles. Rybakina also finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, just shy of a medal.

Our national teams have beaten world-class opponents including Italy, Germany, Japan, Argentina, Switzerland, and Australia. With the right support and experience, we’re confident our near-wins will become titles.

TCA: How stable is the Federation’s funding? Who are the key backers?

Polskiy: Financial stability is one of our core strengths. Federation President Bulat Utemuratov supports KTF through personal investment and long-term partnerships. Our relative independence from government funding allows for consistent, long-term planning, unaffected by political or economic shifts.

A major milestone was acquiring the license to host an ATP 250 tournament in Kazakhstan. This annual event draws global attention and attracts new sponsors. For instance, Lexus backs the “Tennis for Life” initiative, KPMG supports wheelchair tennis, and numerous companies now sponsor junior tournaments and regional players.

TCA: What are the biggest challenges facing Kazakhstani tennis today? What goals have been set for the next five years?

Polskiy: Our immediate priorities include earning as many Olympic and Paralympic berths as possible, winning junior and senior Grand Slam titles, and capturing the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup.

Achieving these goals requires unity. That’s why we invest deeply in developing the Federation’s human capital, preserving institutional knowledge, building continuity, and enhancing our support infrastructure.

TCA: What message would you share with young players starting out in tennis?

Polskiy: Tennis mirrors life. On court, you make choices, face consequences, and grow through setbacks. A match isn’t over until the final point, so there’s always a chance to come back. Tennis shapes not just champions, but resilient individuals. Every loss is a lesson. The game is a lifelong journey of self-improvement.