• KGS/USD = 0.01150 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00190 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09158 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 -0.42%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01150 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00190 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09158 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 -0.42%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01150 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00190 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09158 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 -0.42%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01150 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00190 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09158 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 -0.42%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01150 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00190 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09158 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 -0.42%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01150 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00190 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09158 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 -0.42%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01150 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00190 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09158 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 -0.42%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01150 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00190 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09158 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 -0.42%
14 December 2024

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 53

Turkmenistan and Turkey Aim to Double Trade Turnover

Turkmenistan and Turkey have announced plans to double their annual trade turnover from $2.5 billion to $5 billion in the coming years. Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat shared the goal during an exhibition in Ashgabat, where more than 70 Turkish companies were represented. He emphasized that the current trade volume is insufficient and that achieving this milestone would significantly strengthen economic ties between the two nations. Roadmap for Economic Cooperation A key step toward this goal will be the 8th meeting of the intergovernmental commission, scheduled for February or March next year in Ankara. According to Bolat, the meeting will approve a new roadmap for trade and economic cooperation. “We will develop our cooperation in various fields, following the vision of the leaders of our brotherly countries,” Bolat stated, highlighting the deep cultural and historical ties between Turkey and Turkmenistan. Priority Sectors The partnership will focus on several priority areas: • Energy: Discussions are underway to facilitate the transportation of Turkmen natural gas to Europe, which could lead to strategically important agreements. • Chemical Industry: Both countries aim to collaborate on projects that enhance the sector's development. • Trade Facilitation: Improvements in customs procedures and visa regime simplifications are expected to ease business interactions for citizens of both nations. Bolat also underscored the importance of Turkish construction projects in Turkmenistan, as well as the role of the Middle Corridor in boosting trade opportunities by improving goods transportation. Strengthening Economic Ties Turkey and Turkmenistan already maintain robust economic relations, with Turkey ranking as one of Turkmenistan’s leading trade partners. More than 600 Turkish companies operate in sectors such as trade, investment, construction, energy, transportation, communications, textiles, and processing industries. This strategic collaboration reflects shared cultural and historical roots, with both countries committed to furthering economic cooperation across various fields. The ambitious $5 billion trade goal demonstrates a mutual effort to deepen ties and expand opportunities in the region.

Kazakh Agricultural Producers Sign $1 Billion in Deals with China

Kazakhstan and China have strengthened their agricultural partnership with $1 billion in new export agreements signed on November 30 during negotiations in Beijing. The deals include a $100 million contract for Kazakh poultry products. Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Minister, Aidarbek Saparov, emphasized that grain, oilseeds, and vegetable oil form the bulk of the country’s agricultural exports to China. Grain exports, in particular, remain a key focus. In 2023, Kazakhstan’s grain exports to China surged 5.5-fold to 1.4 million tons. From January to September 2024, the country exported 1.1 million tons of grain to China. Both governments have agreed to raise grain exports to 2 million tons shortly. Kazakhstan has invited Chinese investors to collaborate in its agro-industrial sector, particularly in producing organic products, which command higher prices and are increasingly sought after in global markets. The country is also well-positioned to expand the production and export of high-quality livestock products, including beef, lamb, poultry, canned meat, dairy products, and honey. According to the Agriculture Ministry, Kazakhstan produces about $20 billion in agricultural goods annually. Over the past five years, agricultural exports have nearly doubled, reaching $5.4 billion. The ministry projects this figure will climb to $10 billion within the next five years.

Kazakhstan Sees 50% Surge in Chinese Tourism During Landmark Year of Collaboration

The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China concluded on November 27 with a closing ceremony in Almaty, attended by over 300 representatives from the tourism sectors of both countries. The initiative, officially launched in Beijing on March 28–29, aimed to foster greater connectivity between Kazakhstan and China while encouraging mutual cultural and economic exchange. It also facilitated stronger partnerships among tourism industry stakeholders from both nations. Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, highlighted the year’s success: “This year was marked by a significant expansion of cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in the field of tourism. The tourist flow between our countries demonstrated significant growth, which once again emphasizes that we are united not only by good neighborliness but also by a common desire for mutual understanding and cultural exchange.” According to Kazakhstan’s Border Service, the number of trips by Kazakhs to China increased by 31% in 2024, while visits by Chinese tourists to Kazakhstan rose by 50%. Data from Kazakhstan’s National Bureau of Statistics reveals that 566,500 foreign tourists visited Kazakhstan between January and June 2024. Among these, Chinese tourists were the second-largest group, totaling 69,918. Visitors from Russia topped the list at 186,100, followed by tourists from India (53,695), Turkey (30,312), and the United States (19,597). The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China attracted substantial media attention. Chinese media corporations extensively covered Kazakhstan’s tourism potential, achieving an overall media indicator of 1.8 billion views. Posts about Kazakhstan on social media platforms reached 160 million users, significantly boosting the country’s visibility in China. Building on this momentum, the governments of Kazakhstan and China have designated 2025 as the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan. Additionally, an agreement on mutual visa-free travel came into effect in November 2023. Under the agreement, citizens of both countries can travel visa-free for up to 30 days per visit, with a maximum of 90 calendar days within a 180-day period. This arrangement applies to tourism, medical treatment, business trips, and transit travel.

Geopolitical Posturing or Genuine Partnership? Key Takeaways from Putin’s Trip to Kazakhstan

On November 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Astana for a state visit. He was met at the airport by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The streets of Astana, along Putin’s motorcade route, were adorned with Russian flags, creating a ceremonial backdrop for a meeting touted as a symbol of strategic partnership between the two nations. At the Akorda Presidential Palace, Tokayev hosted a reception for Putin that blended official decorum with cultural displays. The program featured children reciting poetry and participation in a collaborative painting led by renowned Kazakh artist Assol (Asel Sabyrzhankyzy), who named the artwork Bridge of Friendship and presented it to Putin. However, not all Kazakhstanis welcomed the visit with enthusiasm. Some citizens, concerned by Russia’s imperial overtones or sympathetic to Ukraine, expressed their dissent through an online flash mob. A banner at Astana Airport referring to Putin as “Your Excellency” sparked outrage among critics, who viewed it as excessive deference. Political analysts later clarified that the term has been consistently used for other high-level visitors to Kazakhstan. Putin’s state visit, described as a rare diplomatic event typically occurring once per presidential term, was notably proposed by Kazakhstan. During a press briefing, Putin remarked, “At your suggestion, this visit was given the status of a state visit, but I want to note that the solemn protocol did not prevent us from working productively, as is characteristic of our meetings.” Heightened Security Amid Geopolitical Tensions The visit came against the backdrop of growing geopolitical instability. Less than a week earlier, on November 21, Tokayev had instructed government agencies to heighten security following Russia’s test of the Oreshnik ballistic system in Ukraine. This context, paired with the substantial security measures surrounding the state visit, led observers to speculate that Russia’s own security concerns may have influenced the format. The official discussions were framed by frequent references to “strategic partnership” and the “geopolitical situation.” These themes culminated in a joint declaration entitled “Joint Statement of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the President of the Russian Federation on Deepening Strategic Partnership in the New Global Order.” The statement, structured in three main sections, outlined bilateral cooperation in political, economic, and security domains. Ambiguities in Counter-Terrorism and Political Statements The declaration’s political section raised some eyebrows, particularly the clause condemning recent “terrorist acts” in Russia and pledging closer intelligence cooperation to combat such threats. Questions remain over whether Kazakhstan considers only incidents like the Crocus City Hall attack on the outskirts of Moscow as terrorism, or whether the term extends to military actions tied to the Ukraine conflict. Another noteworthy point was the denunciation of “irresponsible statements” by public figures that undermine mutual respect between the two nations. This has been a sensitive issue for Kazakhstan, which has frequently faced provocative rhetoric from Russian propagandists and certain lawmakers. Tokayev himself rebuffed such remarks at the 2022 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, firmly rejecting recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Economic Vision and Strategic Transport The economic...

Russian Interior Minister Reports Drop in Crimes Linked to Tajik Citizens

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev announced a decline in crimes involving Tajik citizens in the Russian Federation during a joint meeting of the Russian and Tajik Interior Ministries in Moscow. This reduction includes both offenses committed by and against Tajik nationals, a trend Kolokoltsev emphasized should continue. One notable achievement highlighted was the resolution of a 30-year-old murder case in Sughd, which was solved through coordinated information-sharing between Russian and Tajik law enforcement agencies. Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation During the meeting, Kolokoltsev and Tajik Interior Minister Rahimzoda Ramazon Hamro approved a 2025 cooperation plan. The agreement includes measures to combat transnational crime, enhance collaboration between investigative units, share intelligence, and address drug trafficking. Rahimzoda stressed that ongoing cooperation strengthens security and improves the performance of law enforcement agencies in both countries. Tajik officials highlighted that joint events and initiatives have been held annually since the partnership began. Addressing Migration and Citizens’ Rights Kolokoltsev also referred to his May 2024 visit to Dushanbe, where discussions revolved around migration issues and the establishment of the Russian Interior Ministry’s passport and visa service. These efforts aim to enhance conditions for Tajik citizens living in Russia while safeguarding their rights and interests.

Kazakhstan and Serbia Strengthen Ties Despite Different Geopolitical Paths

Serbian President Vucic (54) might physically resemble Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (71), but the geopolitical positions of Sebia and Kazakhstan could not be more different. While the Balkan nation – a European Union candidate since 2012 – remains in the EU’s “eternal waiting room”, the Central Asian country – a member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union – seems to have found a delicate balance between Russia, China, and the West. Those differences, however, have not prevented Serbia and Kazakhstan from strengthening their bilateral ties. Over the past six months, the two countries have been actively preparing for Tokayev’s trip to Serbia. This year, he spoke by phone with Vucic twice, while various Serbian and Kazakh officials held several meetings. On November 18-19, Tokayev finally visited the Southeastern European nation, where he met with his Serbian counterpart. According to the Kazakh leader, they discussed strengthening trade and economic relations and bilateral partnerships between the two nations. “It is essential that we develop cooperation. We had constructive talks and reached important deals,” Tokayev stressed. During his visit to the Balkan country, Serbian and Kazakh ministers signed several bilateral agreements. One of them is a 2025 plan on military cooperation. It is, therefore, no surprise that, following the talks in Belgrade, Vucic and Tokayev attended an exhibition of arms and military equipment at the Batajnica military airport near the Serbian capital. Indeed, military ties seem to be an important aspect of the Serbian-Kazakh relationship. Back in 2017, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of military-technical collaboration. Six years later, in November 2023, Kazakhstan and Serbia inked intergovernmental agreements on military-technical cooperation, while in June of this year Serbian and Kazakh defense ministers discussed in Astana military relations between the two countries. Also, in September, Roman Vassilenko, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, announced that Belgrade and Astana plan то expand cooperation in the defense industry. It remains to be seen how Moscow – Astana’s nominal ally in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) – will react to Kazakhstan’s ambitions to deepen military ties with Serbia – a nominally neutral country that has indirectly supplied Ukraine with $885 million worth of weapons. Despite being in different geopolitical positions, Serbia and Kazakhstan seem to share the same approach regarding Ukraine. Both nations support the Eastern European country’s territorial integrity, while trying to preserve relatively good relations with the Kremlin. At the same time, they support each other’s territorial integrity, which is particularly important for Serbia given that Kazakhstan does not recognize the 2008 unilateral independence of Kosovo. In 2022, sitting next to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tokayev said that if the right to self-determination is put into practice worldwide, then there will be over 600 countries instead of the 193 states which are currently members of the United Nations. “For this reason, we do not recognize either Taiwan, or Kosovo, or South Ossetia, or Abkhazia… This principle will also be applied to quasi-state territories, which, in our opinion, are Lugansk and...