Foreign media on Kazakhstan: Chinese cars, Boao Forum, reaction to Moscow attack
From a new automobile contract with a Chinese brand to tourism development between Kazakhstan and China, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s take on food security at Boao Forum for Asia and Kazakhstan’s reaction to the attack in Russia, Kazinform News Agency presents a weekly review of foreign mass media coverage about Kazakhstan.
The Times of Central Asia: Kazakhstan to Start Producing Cars for Chinese Brand KAIYI
The Times of Central Asia reports that Kazakhstan automobile company Orbis Manufacturing plans to build a full-cycle factory under the Chinese brand KAIYI. Almaty industrial region has been chosen for this purpose.
The agency cites Orbis press service that stated a memorandum of cooperation was signed by a subsidiary of Orbis Kazakhstan and China’s Yibin Kaiyi Automobile Co. at the Forum of Kazakh Exporters in China.
“We plan to invest about 72 billion tenge (~$ $160 million) in organizing the production of high-tech cars of leading Chinese brands,” Orbis Kazakhstan President Sukhrab Mahmudov said.
Notably, this contract is not the first for Orbis Kazakhstan. In May 2023, it concluded a contract with EXEED International, a premium brand of Chinese automobile company Chery, to produce cars under the EXEED name in Kazakhstan.
The Global Times: Chinese tourists 'of utmost importance' to Kazakhstan, more collaboration in energy, industry, agriculture underway: Kazakh Deputy FM
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev gave an exclusive interview to the Global Times. Tourism development, the importance of tourist collaboration with China and other significant topics were raised during the interview.
The state leaders declared 2024 the Year of Kazakhstan’s Tourism in China. Alibek Bakayev said that the Kazakh government supports tourism development and emphasized that “the presence of Chinese tourists is of utmost importance” to Kazakhstan.
“Tourist flows between China and Kazakhstan are gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels. According to Yicai.com, the number of tourists from China rose from 18,000 in 2022 to 217,000 in 2023, an increase of 11 times, according to Minister of Tourism and Sports Ermek Marjyqpaev,” reads the article.
Bakayev also spoke about ongoing collaboration projects in the fields of energy, industry, agriculture and exports. He remarked on the high technological experience of the Chinese partners.
“Kazakhstan facilitates 80 percent of all intercontinental traffic between China and Europe, and China remains among the five largest investors in Kazakhstan, with a total investment inflow of nearly $25 billion since 2005, he said,” reads the article.
Agenzia Nova: China, Tokayev at the Boao Forum: “Kazakhstan wants to contribute to global food stability”
Agenzia Nova reports that Kazakhstan aims to contribute to global food stability, citing President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who addressed the Boao Forum for Asia on March 28.
“Kazakhstan, one of Central Asia's major grain producers, intends to use its agricultural potential to ensure global food stability. With joint efforts, we must strengthen international cooperation by creating targeted programs, joint centers of agro-innovation and the transfer of innovative technologies,” writes the author, citing Tokayev’s words.
The President also pointed out the strategic significance of cooperation in the fields of transit and transportation between Asian countries. He also showed that Kazakhstan is ready to collaborate with the neighboring countries to advance the North-South Corridor.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route was mentioned as an effective and secure supply chain between Asia and Europe. “Last year, the volume of cargo transportation on this route doubled and amounted to three million tons. In the next few years, we expect this figure to reach 10 million tons,” Tokayev said.
The Economic Times: Kazakhstan calls for strong counter-terror measures following Moscow region attack
The Economic Times released an article on the reaction of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the recent terrorist attack in Moscow on March 22.
“President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has strongly denounced the recent terrorist attack targeting civilians in Moscow on March 22, following the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall. Kazakhstan has been a close partner of Russia,” reads the article.
The article also writes that Tokayev stressed that terrorism, in all its manifestations, cannot be justified and called for a unified stance from all United Nations member countries against these acts of violence aimed at innocent people.
AzerNews: Kazakhstan, US discuss collaboration on energy and mineral exploration
AzerNews reported on the meeting between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and United States Senator Steve Daines, who discussed trade and economic cooperation.
“Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan pays great attention to attracting investment, liberalizing the economy, and developing industry. According to him, major areas of bilateral cooperation include energy, mineral exploration and processing, infrastructure development, and so on,” reads the article.
The United States is one of Kazakhstan’s major trading partners, with trade turnover reaching $4.1 billion in 2023.
The Straits Times: Greece thump Kazakhstan 5-0 to reach Euro playoff final
The Straits Times published on March 22 about the loss of Kazakhstan to Greece at 5:0 in the semifinals of the Euro 2024 playoffs. The victory secured Greece a place in one of three playoff finals and made it close to a qualification spot after 12 years.
“Greece struck twice early with captain Anastasios Bakasetas getting a powerful penalty shot in the ninth minute after defender Bagdat Kairov had fouled Dimitrios Pelkas, who six minutes later doubled the lead with a header that set the raucous home crowd cheering,” writes the author.
The Greek team faced the Georgian football team and lost to it on Tuesday.
