Foreign media on Kazakhstan: cooperation with Türkiye, record grain exports to China, 5G development
From Kazakhstan’s growing cooperation with Türkiye, cooperation in decarbonization with Japan and record grain exports to China, Kazinform News Agency presents a review of foreign media coverage about Kazakhstan this week.
Daily Sabah: Strategic alliances: Türkiye's subtle cooperation with Kazakhstan
Türkiye’s Daily Sabah published an article on January 9, discussing Kazakhstan’s cooperation with Türkiye.
“Kazakhstan has evolved from a stable investment partner to a strategic ally for Türkiye, providing a crucial link in Central Asia, with diplomatic harmony fostering ongoing cooperation,” writes Daily Sabah.
It continues, stressing that since the 1990s, one of the main goals of Turkish foreign policy has been to strengthen connections with Central Asia, enabling the smooth flow of commodities to Türkiye and other global markets.
This economic strategy led to the establishment of exceptionally close relations between Türkiye and Kazakhstan.
“In 2022, the trade volume between Kazakhstan and Türkiye surged to $6.3 billion (TL 188.62 billion), establishing Türkiye as Kazakhstan's fourth-largest trading partner. This economic collaboration is further underscored by Türkiye's substantial direct investments in Kazakhstan's economy, which passed $5 billion and solidified Türkiye's position among the top 10 investors in the country,” reads the article.
The Economic Times: Kazakhstan poised to lead key organizations including SCO in 2024: President Tokayev
India’s The Economic Times published an article on January 9 that Kazakhstan is poised to lead key organizations including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2024.
The article cites President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent interview with the Egemen Qazaqstan newspaper.
“Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has recently elaborated on the country’s foreign policy approach for 2024, saying that Astana will continue a constructive and balanced foreign policy, taking into account the national interests of the state,” reads the article.
Interfax: World Bank improves Kazakhstan's GDP growth outlook to 4.3% in 2024, 4.5% in 2025
Interfax reported on January 10 about the latest World Bank economic projections for Kazakhstan. The bank's January Global Economic Prospects report indicates Kazakhstan's GDP will expand by 4.3% in 2024 and by 4.5% in 2025.
“In its June 2023 report, the World Bank anticipated Kazakhstan's economic growth at 4% in 2024 and 3.6% in 2025. According to the World Bank's estimates, Kazakhstan's GDP increased by 4.5% in 2023,” reads the article.
Eurasianet: Kazakhstan sets record for grain deliveries to China
Eurasianet, an independent news organization based at Columbia University's Harriman Institute, published an article on January 11 about the record growth of grain exports from Kazakhstan to China.
It writes that 2.2 million tons of wheat, barley, soybeans, flax and sunflower seeds were exported to China last year, representing a huge surge from the 615,000 tons delivered in 2022.
“The easing of the COVID-related sanitary regime at Chinese customs crossings enabled Kazakhstan to quadruple the amount of agricultural goods it exported to the country in 2023 as compared to a year earlier,” reads the article.
Caspian News: Kazakhstan Emerges as 5G Pioneer in Eurasian Economic Union
Caspian News reported on January 11 that Kazakhstan is accelerating its plans to develop 5G services.
“The 5G rollout is not only on track but ahead of schedule, just ten months after the frequencies were issued to operators through a competitive auction held from March to December 2023,” reads the article.
The agency notes that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's commitment to advancing Kazakhstan's technological development has been a driving force behind the rapid deployment of 5G. In his address at the Digital Bridge forum in October 2023, President Tokayev highlighted the imperative to accelerate the rollout of next-generation communication services to all regional centers by the close of 2025.
“A key strategy in achieving comprehensive 5G coverage involves leveraging cutting-edge low-orbit satellite systems. The government aims to provide uninterrupted internet access across the country, overcoming geographical barriers and ensuring equal opportunities for all residents. President Tokayev underscored the importance of a comprehensive action, including potential legislative amendments, to turn this vision into reality,” reads the article.
The Japan News: Japan to Cooperate with Central Asia in Decarbonization
The Japan News reported on January 10 that Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has signed memorandums of cooperation with the governments of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in the area of decarbonization.
“Under the deal, inked Tuesday, Japan will supply renewable energy and energy-saving technologies to the two Central Asian countries, both heavily dependent on thermal power generation,” reads the article.
Japan reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its ties with Central Asia in promoting energy transition and industrial development.
The agency noted that the ministry is expected to sign similar documents with Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.
The New York Times: 52 Places to Go in 2024
The New York Times released its annual list of 52 travel destinations for 2024. Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, was ranked 25th.
It notes Almaty, with a population of two million, has the “feel of a peaceful but active rural town.”
“Almaty’s status as a cultural hub, though, is increasingly evident in its food scene,” reads the article.
“Gaze upon the patchwork quilts of fruits and nuts splayed out at the Green Bazaar – and then try Platform A, a large food hall that recently opened inside a Soviet Modernist building,” writes Craig Mod about Almaty for the New York Times.
