Kazakhstan sees 40% surge in ecotourism over 3 years

30.05.2025, 19:32 10166

Kazakhstan plans to double Trans-Caspian container traffic in three years - President

Strengthening transcontinental connectivity is one of the key tasks facing the countries of the region. This was stated by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking at the Central Asia-Italy summit, the Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

By developing the Trans-Caspian international transport route, our countries are essentially reviving the ancient Silk Road on a new basis. Last year, the volume of container traffic on the Kazakhstan section of this corridor increased by 62%, amounting to 4.5 million tons. Within three years, we aim to double this figure," the Head of State noted.

According to him, Kazakhstan is systematically modernizing the infrastructure that ensures the efficiency of the route. Digitalization and development of the Caspian Sea ports, construction of cargo terminals, and joint production of transport vessels are being established.

All this only increases the attractiveness of the Trans-Caspian route, especially considering that 80% of land transportation between China and Europe passes through the territory of Kazakhstan," Tokayev emphasized.

The President invited Italian partners to actively participate in the development of the route and expressed hope for Italy's assistance in connecting the Middle Corridor with the European transport network and the Global Gateway initiative.

I am confident that through joint efforts we can make the Trans-Caspian route one of the most reliable and safe bridges between Asia and Europe, stretching from the Caspian to the Adriatic," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

As reported previously, the first Central Asia-Italy summit started in Astana. Speaking at the event, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that Italy has invested more than $7.6 billion in Kazakhstan.

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29.05.2025, 16:04 15496

Olzhas Bektenov Discusses Investment Project in Trade and Tourism with EKAZENT Management GmbH Executives

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with representatives of the Astana International Forum - the executive leadership of Austrian company EKAZENT Management GmbH: Chief Operating Officer Gabriel Constantin Kefer and Managing Director Norbert Pfunder. The focus of the discussion was joint efforts to develop Kazakhstan’s trade and tourism potential, primeminister.kz reports.

EKAZENT Management is one of the leading companies in Austria’s real estate market, offering a full range of services in managing retail and outlet centers.

During the meeting, the parties discussed areas of cooperation, particularly the prospects for implementing an investment project to build an outlet center in the Almaty Region. The project is aimed at enhancing the region’s commercial and tourism appeal and is designed to attract shoppers not only from Kazakhstan but also from neighboring countries.

The construction of the center is expected to provide a new boost to the development of small and medium-sized businesses, attract further investment, and increase trade turnover.

Both sides emphasized that Kazakhstan offers all the necessary conditions for implementing modern commercial projects, including well-developed logistics infrastructure. The country’s tourism potential and favorable geographic location-close to major regional economies such as China, Russia, and Central Asian countries-add to its investment attractiveness.

At the end of the meeting, the participants confirmed their readiness to move forward with the practical implementation of the project.

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28.05.2025, 12:43 21481

Olzhas Bektenov Participates in Kazakhstan-Italy Business Forum: Bilateral Trade Reaches $20 Billion

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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov delivered a speech at the Kazakhstan-Italy Business Forum, addressing the development of bilateral cooperation in trade and logistics, primeminister.kz reports.

In his welcoming remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted the significant role of the business forum in expanding trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Italy. He noted that the strategic partnership between the two countries is dynamically developing thanks to the efforts of their heads of state. Successful cooperation has been established in the fields of energy, mechanical engineering, chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and others.

Last year, bilateral trade grew by 25% and reached nearly $20 billion, with exports of Kazakhstani goods exceeding $18 billion. In the first quarter of this year alone, trade turnover amounted to $4.4 billion. Italy is also among Kazakhstan’s top five largest EU investors. Over the past 20 years, $7.6 billion of Italian investment has been directed into Kazakhstan’s economy, supporting projects in the oil and gas sector, green energy, mechanical engineering, and agriculture.

Kazakhstan is investing in the development of transport and logistics infrastructure to strengthen its position in the global market. In this context, the Prime Minister emphasized the potential of Kazakh-Italian cooperation in ensuring the resilience and diversification of supply chains. Special attention was given to the transformation of Kazakhstan’s economy with a focus on creating high-tech, value-added production. He stressed that the Government is fully prepared to support Italian investors in the implementation of joint projects.

The Government of Kazakhstan is carrying out systematic work to enhance the country’s investment attractiveness. Our legislation offers a number of incentives for investors, including tax and customs preferences, in-kind grants, and infrastructure development support. At the same time, we are constantly striving to improve support measures based on investor feedback to ensure long-term partnerships. We invite Italian businesses to expand their presence in Kazakhstan and actively participate in joint projects in priority sectors of the economy," Olzhas Bektenov stated.

From the Italian side, speakers at the forum included Marco Osnato, Chair of the Finance Committee of the Chamber of Deputies; Valentino Valentini, Deputy Minister for Enterprises and "Made in Italy" Products; Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, Chair of the Senate Committee on EU Policy; and Antonello De Riu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Kazakhstan, among others.

A number of cooperation agreements across various sectors of the economy are expected to be signed following the business forum.

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22.05.2025, 15:27 64651

National Bank to start regulating cryptocurrency in Kazakhstan

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The National Bank has developed legislative amendments to regulate digital asset turnover in Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports citing Deputy Governor of the National Bank Berik Sholpankulov.

In line with the President’s directive, the National Bank jointly with interested government agencies has developed a package of legislative amendments shaping a legal framework for digital asset turnover," Sholpankulov said at a briefing.

The amendments include two blocks:

The first block is aimed at the launch of digital financial assets with the determination of legal status.

The second block is the introduction of regulation of the circulation of unsecured cryptocurrencies through licensing of crypto exchange service providers.

The National Bank is also introducing the Digital Asset Regulatory Sandbox which will enable the market participants to test various innovative services and technologies," Sholpankulov added.

Earlier it was reported that $TRUMP token holders invested record sums to secure meeting with US President. Blockchain analytics firm Nansen calculated that 220 individuals who earned the right to dine with President Donald Trump on Thursday in Washington collectively invested $394 million in his official cryptocurrency.

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22.05.2025, 13:54 64936

Olzhas Bektenov identifies Baiterek Holding's priority task of financing of real economy sector

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A meeting of the Board of Directors of Baiterek National Managing Holding was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. The focus of the session was on implementing the Head of State’s instructions regarding support for the real sector of the economy, primeminister.kz reports.

Members of the Board of Directors were briefed on the ongoing efforts by the Holding to expand business access to state support tools. Over the first three months of the year, the total amount allocated to support small and medium-sized businesses reached 439 billion tenge - a 28 % increase compared to the same period last year. The Development Bank of Kazakhstan financed 9 investment projects and 9 export operations worth 292.1 billion tenge. The Industrial Development Fund provided 75 leasing transactions and loans totaling 94.5 billion tenge.

In response to the President’s directive to strengthen the agro-industrial sector, over 3,200 agricultural entities received state support. Agricultural producers were financed for a total of 233.4 billion tenge, including 134.9 billion tenge allocated for spring fieldwork. As a result, Kazakhstani farmers acquired more than 1,200 units of agricultural machinery and equipment.

For the first time this year, a record amount of 8 trillion tenge is being allocated through Baiterek Holding’s instruments to finance large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects. These investments are expected to accelerate economic growth and generate new jobs.

One of the Holding’s top priorities is financing the real sector of the economy. Of the 8 trillion tenge planned for investment into the economy and key industrial and infrastructure projects, nearly 2 trillion has already been utilized. The pace is good, especially considering the construction season has only just entered its active phase. I want to emphasize the importance of coordinated and well-organized work across all Baiterek subsidiaries. This is not an easy task under current conditions, but I am confident we will fulfill our commitments. Provided the state meets its recapitalization obligations, I believe the Holding will deliver on its goal to inject 8 trillion tenge into the economy," Olzhas Bektenov stated.

The Ministries of National Economy and Finance have been tasked with ensuring the timely capitalization of the Holding.

Special attention was also given to the implementation of housing policy. In the first quarter of this year, more than 11,800 Kazakh families received housing support. Otbasy Bank issued loans worth 225.2 billion tenge, while Kazakhstan Housing Company provided guarantees totaling 27.6 billion tenge.

Following the meeting, a number of organizational and financial documents were adopted to improve the effectiveness of the Holding’s operations and enhance its investment policy.

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20.05.2025, 19:53 76501

Container shipments from China along TITR rose 33 times in 2024 - Kazakhstan Railways

In May 2023, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev participated in a televised conference of launching the construction of a terminal in Xi’an, in Shaanxi province of China. The terminal started operating in February 2024. The volume of container shipments from China along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route increased by 33 times since its opening, Kazinform News Agency learned from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy.

Xi’an is China’s key transit hub and the country’s largest dry port. More than 30% of container trains operating to Europe are formed here. Xi'an receives approximately 40% of imports from the CIS countries.

The annual capacity of the terminal is 133,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit). In 2024, the volume of transit shipments through this hub exceeded 276,000 tons (around 23,000 TEUs were processed and shipped). In January-April 2025, 10,524 TEUs or 126,288 tons of cargo were shipped and processed. By 2030, this figure is expected to reach 83,000 TEU per year.

The integrated approach ensures ease of delivery for customers and enables the use of first and last mile technologies - from door to door. The main shipping partners are major producers of cars and their components - BYD, Geely, Chery, Honggi as well as the manufacturers of electronic equipment, metal products and consolidated cargo shippers. Projected capacity of the terminal which covers the area of 6.7 hectares (with container freight stations located on 43,534 square meters and roofed warehouse of 4,680 square meters), allows to handle 133,000 TEU per annum. The terminal consolidates and handles a significant part of cargo almost from all regions of China and organizes delivery of goods by railroad and motor transport to a wide range of foreign countries, including Central Asia, TITR member states and Russia. It also offres cargo storage, insurance, customs support and other services.

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19.05.2025, 21:57 88916

Turkmenistan explores investment opportunities in Kazakhstan’s Turkistan region

Deryageldi Orazov, Chairman of the State Committee for the Construction of the City of Arkadag under the President of Turkmenistan, has paid an official visit to Kazakhstan’s Turkistan Region to explore potential avenues for investment and bilateral cooperation, Trend reports.

Governor Kusherbayev provided an overview of the region's investment landscape, including the availability of industrial zones and small-scale industrial parks, which offer favorable conditions for foreign investors, such as access to land plots and ready-made production facilities. He also outlined the benefits of the Turan Special Economic Zone, which offers tax and customs incentives, particularly for businesses engaged in deep processing and value-added industries.

The meeting culminated in a collective resolution to initiate synergistic ventures and enhance multifaceted collaboration across diverse domains.

This elevated diplomatic engagement underscores Turkmenistan's strategic imperative for regional economic cohesion and its quest for global alliances to bolster the advancement of Arkadag - the nation's premier smart city initiative.

Meanwhile, over the past two years, bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan has consistently exceeded $500 million annually, highlighting the strong and growing economic ties between the two nations.

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19.05.2025, 14:40 93086

New special economic zone established in Kyzylorda region

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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has signed a resolution to establish a special economic zone in Kyzylorda region, Kazinform News Agency reports.

The Qorqyt Ata SEZ will occupy an area of 550 hectares along the Western Europe - Western China international transport corridor.

The new SEZ is called to fast track the development of modern high productive and competitive enterprises, to attract investments, to introduce new technologies in economy, and to raise employment.

A special legal regime with the provision of tax and customs preferences will be introduced in the SEZ.

By 2049, the total volume of investments in the SEZ is set to exceed 150 billion tenge, with foreign investments projected to reach 80 billion tenge. The volume of production of goods and services is predicted at 500 billion tenge, with local content expected to reach 90%.

The SEZ is set to generate some 3,366 jobs within 25 years, while the number of resident companies will make 39.

As per the document, the special economic zones Ontustik, Astana-Technopolis, Saryarqa, Alatau and Aktobe received the status of a port area, as part of creation of multimodal aero-hubs and in line with the customs legislation.

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Kazakhstan sees 40% surge in ecotourism over 3 years

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