Agreement - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Seek to Increase Agricultural Trade

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to establish a "green-light corridor" for the export of Kyrgyz agricultural products to Kazakhstan, as well as for the supply of early spring fruits and vegetables from Kyrgyzstan. The agreement was discussed during an April 25 meeting in Astana between Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobayev, and Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, Serik Zhumangarin. Kazakh and Kyrgyz officials agreed to jointly determine the list and volumes of agricultural products required by Kazakhstan. Zhumangarin and Torobayev also discussed introducing tariff discounts on rail transportation for Kyrgyz food and agricultural products intended for export and transit through Kazakhstan. The officials noted the steady growth of Kazakh-Kyrgyz trade, which reached $1.7 billion last year. Zhumangarin proposed expanding the range of Kazakh goods exported to Kyrgyzstan. "We are ready to increase the export of Kazakhstani products across 195 commodity items by more than $260 million," Zhumangarin stated. He also suggested increasing the export of Kazakh grain and oilseeds to Kyrgyzstan.

Water Chashma Spring Agreement Access to Clean Water

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan Reach Deal to Share Chashma Water Spring

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have reached an agreement to jointly use the Chashma water spring, located along their shared border. According to Uzbekistan’s government portal, both countries have confirmed the main terms of the agreement, ensuring that Uzbek citizens can access the spring freely. They also agreed not to undertake any actions that would hinder full use of the spring by citizens of either side. The agreement was reached during a meeting held in Tashkent on April 24, led by Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Kamchybek Tashiev. During the meeting, the delegations also approved a protocol concerning the final unsettled section of the border. Both sides emphasized that the Chashma spring is a shared treasure of the Uzbek and Kyrgyz peoples. Under the agreement, Uzbekistan will have access to two-thirds of the spring’s water. Any activities that could impact the quantity or quality of the water must be coordinated with the Uzbek side. The two countries also agreed to finalize and sign a comprehensive agreement on the joint use of the Chashma spring and the final demarcation of the state border as soon as possible. The talks were praised for helping to ease border crossings for citizens and goods. Both sides stressed the need to promptly update and sign a protocol to amend the 2004 agreement on border checkpoints to make cross-border travel more convenient for citizens. The delegations agreed to convene another meeting of the working groups soon. At the conclusion of the talks, a protocol summarizing the agreements was signed. The Chashma spring has been a sensitive issue in the past. In May 2020, a conflict erupted during a joint irrigation canal cleaning operation at the spring, resulting in injuries. According to Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry, 187 Uzbeks were injured, while Kyrgyzstan’s Health Ministry reported that 25 individuals were hospitalized.

Uranium Uranium Supply Kazatomprom Agreement ČEZ

Kazakh Uranium to Power Czech Nuclear Plants

Kazakhstan’s National Atomic Company Kazatomprom has signed a contract with Czech energy giant ČEZ a.s. to supply natural uranium for the country’s nuclear power plants. The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening energy cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union. Expanding European Reach The contract, signed at ČEZ’s headquarters in Prague, represents a key milestone in the expansion of Kazatomprom’s uranium supply footprint in Europe. Under the seven-year deal, Kazakhstan will provide approximately one-third of the uranium needed for Westinghouse fuel assemblies used at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant. Both parties emphasized the agreement’s importance for regional energy security and environmental sustainability. “With the signing of this agreement, Kazatomprom continues to expand its presence in Europe and strengthen its strategy to diversify its sales portfolio. This is another important milestone on our way to becoming the preferred partner for the global nuclear power industry,” said Vladislav Baiguzhin, Kazatomprom’s Chief Commercial Officer. Bogdan Zronek, head of ČEZ’s nuclear division, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership: “The partnership with Kazatomprom diversifies our supplier portfolio and is of strategic importance for ČEZ and the Czech Republic. It provides a stable and reliable source of fuel for our nuclear power plants.” ČEZ and the Czech Nuclear Sector ČEZ is Central Europe’s leading energy company, operating six nuclear reactors at the Temelín and Dukovany sites. Together, these facilities supply roughly 36% of the Czech Republic’s electricity. The company is actively advancing its VIZE 2030 decarbonization strategy, aiming to secure a stable, environmentally friendly energy future. Kazatomprom’s Global Standing Kazatomprom remains the world’s largest producer of natural uranium, accounting for about 21% of global primary production in 2024. All production is carried out in Kazakhstan using in-situ leaching, an environmentally safer extraction method. The company is certified under ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards. Kazatomprom exports uranium globally, with key markets in China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. Deliveries are made via long-term contracts and the spot market, including through its Swiss-based subsidiary, Trading House KazakAtom. Ongoing International Partnerships The agreement with ČEZ builds on a strategic relationship initiated in 2016, when the two sides signed a memorandum to cooperate on nuclear fuel cycle projects, including exploration, mining, processing, reclamation, marketing, and technological innovation. In February 2025, Kazatomprom also signed its first-ever uranium supply contract with Switzerland’s Axpo Power AG and Kernkraftwerk Leibstadt AG for the Beznau and Leibstadt nuclear power plants. The latest deal further solidifies Kazatomprom’s position in Europe’s energy market and underscores the growing role of nuclear power in the region’s shift toward clean, sustainable energy sources.

Kazakhstan Irrigation Water UNDP Water resources Agreement Water Sector Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation

Kazakhstan Advances Water Sector Reform at High-Level Coordination Meeting

On April 10, the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector of Kazakhstan held its second official meeting in Astana, co-chaired by Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Katarzyna Wawiernia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kazakhstan. The Council, which first convened on September 30, 2024, comprises the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the UNDP, and more than 30 international partners, including financial institutions and global development organizations. At the meeting, participants reviewed the Council’s work over the past six months and discussed strategic priorities for sustainable water management. A key topic was the 2024-2030 Partnership Water Initiative, adopted in September 2024, which outlines long-term goals for resilience and innovation in the sector. Nurzhigitov discussed the Council’s role in forging productive cross-sector partnerships. “In just six months, we’ve reached concrete agreements and launched new projects with partner countries, development institutions, financial organizations, and major companies. The Ministry has signed three agreements and sixteen memorandums with international partners from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, the USA, Israel, China, the Islamic Development Bank, the Eurasian Development Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and UNDP,” he said. New Agreements Signed at the Meeting Five new cooperation agreements were concluded during the session: The Ministry signed a communiqué with Spain’s Xcalibur Smart Mapping to carry out underground water resource mapping in western Kazakhstan A Statement of Intent was signed with the Islamic Development Bank and UNDP to bolster the technical capacity of Kazakhstan’s water sector, with a focus on digitalization, flood forecasting, climate resilience, and policy development An agreement between the Ministry’s Information and Analytical Center for Water Resources and the Eurasian Development Bank established a grant to develop a National Water Resources Information System by 2026. The project aims to increase transparency, efficiency, and equity in water distribution Kazvodkhoz, the Ministry’s national enterprise, signed a communiqué with PowerChina International to expand cooperation, including training seminars in China for Kazakhstani specialists (the first group of 30 participants is already attending a two-week program) Kazvodkhoz also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Primus Capital Almaty LLP, aimed at developing small hydropower plants at national water facilities A Long-Term Challenge Kazakhstan has long faced serious water-related challenges from the shrinking Aral Sea, driven by reduced transboundary river flows, to destructive spring floods and chronic irrigation shortages in the southern regions. These challenges highlight the urgency of coordinated, international engagement and innovation in water governance.

Renewable energy Asian Development Bank Agreement Caspian Green Energy Corridor

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan Partner on Caspian Green Energy Corridor

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan have signed a landmark agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to advance a regional renewable energy initiative known as the Caspian Green Energy Corridor. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on April 5 in Baku, outlines plans for a feasibility study to assess the project's potential. The primary objective is to establish a robust legal and institutional framework that will facilitate cross-border electricity trade among the three countries, particularly from renewable sources. The Caspian Green Energy Corridor is part of ADB’s broader regional strategy to promote clean energy and enhance multilateral cooperation. The initiative aims to interconnect the energy systems of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, enabling them to share and distribute renewable electricity more efficiently. “This agreement lays the foundation for deeper cooperation and shows our shared commitment to building a clean energy future,” said Yevgeniy Zhukov, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia. A key ambition of the project is to develop a green energy supply route from the Caspian region to Europe via the Black Sea Cable. The corridor is expected to improve energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and support economic development across the region. The initiative is also backed by the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, which brings together 11 countries and several development partners to promote regional integration and reduce poverty through economic collaboration.

Investments Pharmaceuticals Memorandum Agreement Pharmaceutical Business PolPharma Group SANTO

Polpharma Group to Boost Pharmaceutical Production and Exports in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s national investment promotion agency, Kazakh Invest, has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Polpharma Group, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The agreement marks the launch of a €55 million investment project in Kazakhstan by SANTO, a member of the Polpharma Group. The memorandum was signed by Azamat Kozhanov, Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Invest’s Management Board, and Markus Sieger, CEO of Polpharma Group. Over the next decade, the project is expected to create approximately 300 jobs and significantly increase domestic pharmaceutical production, particularly for medications targeting socially significant diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. The initiative includes the introduction of new manufacturing lines, expanded R&D investment, and the development of training programs in line with international standards. This strategic partnership supports Kazakhstan’s national goal of increasing local pharmaceutical production to 50% of domestic demand. It also aims to position the country as a regional hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and exports. “We are aware that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has set a clear objective to boost local pharmaceutical output to 50%, and we fully support this vision,” said Markus Sieger. “The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the vital importance of resilient, domestic supply chains. Our goal is not only to strengthen production in Kazakhstan but to transform the country into an export hub for large regional markets.” SANTO currently holds six Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificates and has successfully passed inspections by the European Union. The company is now anticipating certification under EU GMP standards, which would provide access to EU markets for both the company and Kazakhstan’s broader pharmaceutical sector. Polpharma Group continues to expand its footprint in Central Asia. In 2024, 12% of the company’s global sales came from the region, a figure that is expected to grow further. The development of a pharmaceutical hub in Kazakhstan will enhance the country’s position in both domestic and international markets. These new investments, along with the expected GMP EU certification, are set to strengthen Kazakhstan’s global pharmaceutical competitiveness, reduce reliance on imports, and improve national pharmaceutical security.