Foreign media on Kazakhstan: New path for French investments in Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan calls for enhanced collaboration in investment among OTS nations
From recent news about Kazakhstan’s efforts to strengthen economic ties with France, deepen financial and investment cooperation among Organization of Turkic States (OTS) members, and advance the countries’ digital transformation with a focus on security and efficiency in business and public services, Kazinform News Agency offers a weekly review of Kazakhstan’s coverage in foreign media.
The Times of Central Asia: Tokayev and Macron forge new path for French investments in Kazakhstan
According to the Times of Central Asia, the Paris summit between Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and France’s President Emmanuel Macron marked a pivotal moment in their countries’ relations, focusing on trade, economic investment, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation. The discussions expanded existing frameworks, setting the stage for deeper collaboration.
Kazakh-French relations, especially in economics, have historically been strong. French companies like TotalEnergies play key roles in Kazakhstan’s energy sector, including the Kashagan oil field. Tokayev met with French business leaders at the summit, seeking more investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology.
France views Kazakhstan as strategically important in Central Asia, aligning with Europe’s broader regional engagement. The summit follows a series of regular meetings, including Macron's official 2023 visit to Kazakhstan, reinforcing shared interests and the growing partnership.
The summit enhanced political dialogue and laid foundations for expanded economic, cultural, and technological cooperation, underscoring both leaders' commitment to a long-term partnership.
The latest agreements continue the momentum of Kazakhstan-France relations, demonstrating a shared intent for comprehensive cooperation. Including agreements signed in 2023, economic partnerships now total $6.4 billion, while bilateral trade reached $4 billion from January to August 2024—a 44.7% increase over 2023. Exports, mainly crude oil and uranium, rose by 45.2% to $2.7 billion.
Just before the summit, the 13th Kazakhstan–France Business Council in Paris saw $2 billion in agreements covering various sectors, including energy, agro-industry, IT, and mining.
Kazakhstan's balanced approach to partnerships includes inviting France to join a consortium for constructing its first nuclear power plant. France, with expertise in nuclear energy through companies like Orano and Électricité de France (EDF), is well-positioned for participation. This cooperation extends beyond energy, touching on infrastructure, innovation, and digital technology.
Kazakhstan’s emerging role as a neutral mediator in international conflicts was also discussed. Its past mediation in conflicts like Armenia–Azerbaijan and Syria positions it as a potential intermediary in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, with possible French support for such initiatives.
Trend News Agency: Kazakhstan calls for enhanced collaboration in finance and investment among OTS nations
Kazakhstan considers it necessary to deepen cooperation in the sphere of finance and investments between the countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in his speech at the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the OTS in Bishkek, Trend reports.
“The Turkic Investment Fund can play a special role in this matter. The parties unanimously supported the initiative to create the Council of Central Banks,” Tokayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan also emphasized the importance of human capital development. “It is necessary to effectively use human resources to modernize the Turkic civilization. We need to create opportunities to unlock the potential of talented young people. The scope of cooperation in science and education should be expanded.”
The Head of State emphasized that the signed agreement “On Partnership in the Digital Economy” is of great importance for the OTS countries. He also proposed to organize mutual broadcasting of cable TV channels to create a common information space for the Turkic world.
In conclusion, President Tokayev expressed confidence that the agreements to be reached at today's summit will strengthen the capacity of the OTS member states.
BiometricUpdate.com: Kazakhstan building a secure and inclusive digital infrastructure
Kazakhstan is advancing its digital transformation with a focus on security and efficiency in business and public services, reports BiometricUpdate.com. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov recently announced the development of a national biometric authentication system, a significant step toward enhancing secure access for citizens in sectors like banking and government services.
The country has implemented digital IDs integrated with the eGov platform, used by over 90% of the economically active population, to provide secure, convenient access to services. A unified biometric data system, managed by the Ministry of Digital Development, will further safeguard personal information and prevent fraud.
Kazakhstan’s National Digital Strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships to foster a robust digital ecosystem, aiming for inclusive infrastructure that supports digital payments, identity verification, and data exchange. Kazakhstan’s approach, inspired by models from Estonia, Singapore, and Sweden, prioritizes choice and competition in the digital payments market, contrasting with government-led models like Brazil’s Pix and India’s UPI.
By the end of the year, Kazakhstan plans to roll out a centralized biometric authentication system across sectors, including finance and public services, through a partnership between National Information Technologies JSC and BTS Digital. Citizens can still use traditional authentication methods, such as SMS codes or digital signatures.
Kazakhstan’s digital infrastructure has transformed public services and finance, with online banking driving digital transactions from 7% in 2014 to 89% in 2024. The government mandates biometric verification for online loans, promoting secure transactions and trust in digital finance.
Through collaboration with private sectors like the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) and startups at Astana Hub, the government supports innovation in digital payments. The regulatory sandbox enables new financial products, while cybersecurity measures and an Anti-Fraud Center protect users from digital fraud. With 92% internet access and expanding 5G coverage, Kazakhstan’s digital initiatives enhance accessibility and engagement across the economy.
VisaGuide.News: Kazakhstan introduces new neo nomad visa for foreigners
VisaGuide.News reports that Kazakhstan has introduced the Neo Nomad visa to attract foreign remote workers. This visa allows internationals to live in Kazakhstan for up to 12 months while working for companies and clients located in other countries.
“The visa targets tourists working remotely in various fields, from programming, marketing, and finance to consulting, design, and e-commerce,” Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports.
To qualify for the Neo Nomad visa, applicants must have an income of at least $3,000 from outside Kazakhstan, a clean criminal record, and health insurance. Authorities expect this program could contribute about $7.3 million annually if 500 individuals participate, as these workers contribute to the local economy without competing in the job market.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Yerbol Myrzabossynov, noted that the cities of Almaty and Astana are already popular among remote workers, aiming to position Kazakhstan as a destination for the global community of over 35 million digital nomads.
Globally, digital nomad visas are increasingly popular, allowing remote workers to legally reside in various countries. According to the Digital Nomad Index from VisaGuide.World, Spain ranks highest for its Digital Nomad Visa Program, followed by countries like Argentina, Romania, UAE, and Portugal in the top ten.
SportTravel: World Boxing welcomes Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Guatemala and Laos
World Boxing has announced the approval of applications from the national federations in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Guatemala and Laos, which increases the organization’s membership to 55 countries as it continues the push to become the International Olympic Committee’s recognized international federation for the sport, reports SportTravel.
The news came at the end of World Boxing’s second annual Congress on November 3 in Pueblo, Colorado, following the conclusion of last week’s U19 World Boxing Championships. Uzbekistan’s fighters won five of the 13 gold medals this year at the Olympic Summer Games in Paris.
“On the date of our second Congress, it is fantastic that World Boxing is able to welcome four new countries whom I am sure will all play an important role in our mission to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement,” said Boris van der Vorst, president of World Boxing.
The addition of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan brings the international federation’s membership in Asia to 13 countries. World Boxing’s second Congress was attended in person or virtually by representatives from 43 member countries.
“Only last week we announced seven new members to take World Boxing past the milestone of 50 countries,” van der Vorst said. “To be able to announce four more members — including two major powers in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan — so soon after this is a sign of the growing momentum shift in international boxing.”
