Foreign media on Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan needs high-quality investments based on latest technologies, says President; Iran’s vice president discusses Eurasia ties on Kazakhstan visit

From recent news about Kazakhstan’s president stressing the need for government investments, Iran’s First Vice President emphasizing deeper regional integration, and Kazakhstan’s WBO middleweight champion securing a match, Kazinform News Agency presents a weekly review of Kazakhstan’s coverage in foreign media.

Kazakhstan needs high-quality investments based on latest technologies, says President; Iran’s vice president discusses Eurasia ties on Kazakhstan visit
Phоtо credit: Canva

Eureporter: Kazakhstan needs high-quality investments based on latest technologies says president

Taking the floor at the government’s meeting, the Kazakh president stressed the need to intensify the government’s investment activities, Eureporter reports.

Otherwise, the president said, Kazakhstan may lag extremely behind in current trends amid heightened competition. The head of state said the country needs high-quality investments. As a rule, foreign investors propose projects based on the latest technologies and oriented at foreign markets. For the nine months of 2024, the foreign direct investments hit 12.7 billion US dollars that is 36% less as compared to the same period of 2023. He said foreign direct investment attraction decreased in Aktobe, Almaty, Atyrau, East Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan regions and Almaty city.

The President urged the Government to create an integrated system to attract and protect investors, both foreign and domestic, using budgetary support to offset reduced private investment. Supported investors must commit to job retention, production upgrades, and environmental compliance. As earlier reported, the expanded meeting of the Kazakh government under the chairmanship of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev kicked off in Astana.

Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov proposed to increase VAT rate. The Government also proposed to reduce VAT thresholds from 78 million tenge to 15 million tenge.

Presstv: Iran’s vice president discusses Eurasia ties on Kazakhstan visit

According to Presstv, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to discuss strengthening economic and trade ties. Aref emphasized the need for active joint commissions and highlighted cultural and tourism collaboration. He invited Bektenov to the Caspian Summit in Tehran.

Aref arrived in Kazakhstan to attend the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Prime Ministers’ Summit and the Almaty Digital Summit 2025. Iran, now an EAEU observer, seeks deeper regional integration.

In a separate meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, Aref stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and activating joint commissions. Both leaders reaffirmed commitments to boosting trade, with Golovchenko praising Iran’s EAEU observer status.

Daily Sabah: Ancient Sarmatian treasures found in Kazakhstan excavation

Excavations at Sarmatian-era burial sites in Kazakhstan’s Atyrau region have uncovered ancient artifacts, Daily Sabah reports. Archaeologists have spent two years excavating the “Karabau-2” kurgan, unearthing nine graves, seven linked to the Sarmatians. Finds include jewelry, weapons, ceramics, and human remains.

Displayed at the Atyrau National History Museum, a gold bracelet weighing 370 grams with leopard depictions drew significant attention.

Archaeologist Marat Kasenov confirmed the region’s link to the Sarmatian Empire, stating, “The total number of ancient artifacts discovered from the Sarmatian period is around 1,000, including 100 pieces of gold jewelry... In our most recent excavation, we discovered two well-preserved wooden bowls (or cups), which have never before been found in our country.”

Boxingnews247: Janibek Alimkhanuly eyeing Shakiel Thompson for Kazakhstan homecoming for April/May

Boxingnews247 reports that IBF and WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KOs) is close to finalizing a title defense against #9 WBO-ranked Shakiel Thompson (13-0, 9 KOs) in April or May in Kazakhstan. With top contenders avoiding him, Janibek, 31, sees Thompson, 27, as his best available option.

Dan Rafael reports the fight is “close” to being made. Thompson, an English fighter with a weak record, will take a tune-up bout on February 7 in Sheffield before facing a major step up against Janibek.

The middleweight division has declined significantly, lacking strong contenders compared to the Canelo-GGG era. Janibek last fought in October, knocking out Andrei Mikhailovich in the ninth round.

You can read last week’s weekly digest here.

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