Supreme Commander-in-Chief Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the military personnel. The head of state highly appreciated the level of preparedness of the units involved. The President noted the importance of conducting such military exercises in a difficult geopolitical situation.

“Today, large-scale changes are taking place in the global defense system. Modern methods and techniques of warfare, especially hybrid types of warfare, are becoming increasingly widespread. Attacks can be not only military, but also informational, psychological, political, economic and other in nature. Therefore, the Armed Forces the forces of Kazakhstan must be ready for any challenges. This is the main requirement for a modern professional army. We have only one Motherland – Kazakhstan! Ensuring the security and protection of our country, land and citizens is our common sacred duty,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

According to the Head of State, our army must be highly professional, mobile and ready to carry out the most complex combat missions.

“To do this, it is fundamentally important to equip it with high-tech weapons and high-quality military equipment, to fully provide it with ammunition. In my recent Address, I set a priority task: to create a production cycle with a high degree of localization. Armored vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, modern small arms – we are all that “We can and must produce them here, in our country. In general, the defense-industrial complex must provide a reliable foundation for the combat effectiveness of our army,” the President emphasized.

As Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, the main factors in the effectiveness of the Armed Forces are combat training and the morale of officers and personnel

“Increased demands are placed on the training of troops and the professionalism of commanders. Therefore, in the conditions of modern combat, units should be ready to act autonomously, in isolation from the main forces. Commanders and superiors must be decisive, show reasonable initiative, creatively approach the solution of assigned tasks, embody a model of courage, perseverance and loyalty to the oath, to be an impeccable example to follow. The strength of the army is in discipline! And here the role of commanders is paramount. It is necessary to maintain a high level of training, coherence and strict order in the Armed Forces. Each soldier must perfectly master the weapons entrusted to him and equipment, skillfully use them in battle, show determination, courage and bravery,” the President concluded.

During the military exercises “Batyl Toytarys-2023”, the readiness of state and military authorities to carry out a defensive operation was tested. The decisions taken at headquarters at all levels were implemented by the troops in full.

8 thousand military personnel and 600 units of weapons and military equipment were involved in the exercises.

Source: Islamabad Post

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ASTANA – Kazakhstan has adopted a plan to implement President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiatives outlined in his address at the National Kurultai (congress in Kazakh) on June 16, wrote State Counselor Erlan Karin on his Telegram channel on July 1.

Karin pointed out that the plan provides specific projects in education, science and culture to reshape societal values.

These projects include the implementation of the Children’s Library program, improving the condition of rural schools, promoting spiritual development among the younger generation, developing domestic literature and book publishing, modernizing the Archeology Institute, and publishing an academic multi-volume book on the country’s history.

Other projects focus on enhancing the activities of children’s and youth and volunteer organizations and setting systemic measures for prevention and combating gambling and drug use among young people.

“The President’s address aims for a long-term perspective and sets a new national agenda in the ideological sphere,” wrote Karin. 

Source: Astana Times

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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn, noting that his official visit opens up good prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation.

Tokayev warmly recalled a dialogue with Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly about the long-term prospects for deepening the partnership between the countries.

“Kazakhstan treats your country and people with great respect. We are optimistic about the future of our co-operation,” the President said.

Speaking about the positive dynamics of interaction, Asselborn mentioned the agreement on increasing the number of flights to 21 per week. The Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry signed a second memorandum of understanding in this regard.

The parties also reviewed the prospects for cooperation in transport and logistics, digitalization, green energy, and within the Astana International Financial Centre.

Following the meeting, Asselborn held talks with Murat Nurtleu, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stating that Luxembourg will do its utmost to facilitate a visa regime for Kazakh citizens.

Asselborn noted Kazakhstan will soon become one of Luxembourg’s key energy, transport, and trade partners. His visit, which coincided with the 31st anniversary of diplomatic relations, shows that the European Union and Kazakhstan can build a sustainable partnership.

With an increasing interest in strengthening and expanding their partnership with Kazakhstan, Asselborn mentioned bilateral memorandums of understanding signed on cooperation in aviation, exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

Nurtleu described trade and economic cooperation as effective driver for developing bilateral relations. He said the trade turnover grew nearly 2.5 times in 2022, increasing by 4.5 times this year. The inflow of foreign direct investment from Luxembourg in 2022 totaled $202.5 million.

“Kazakhstan and Luxembourg fully support territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful conflict resolution, good neighborliness, and cooperation,” said Nurtleu.

After exchanging views on pressing issues of the regional and international agenda, the parties agreed to continue inter-ministerial consultations. The next round of talks will take place in Astana in 2024.

“We highly appreciate the reform process launched by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The EU will continue to support Kazakhstan on its path of democratization and political reform,” Asselborn said.

Source: EU Reporter

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Prosecutor General Berik Assylov reported on the criminal investigation into the fire in Abai region. An investigative team including skilled law enforcement and special bodies personnel led by the Deputy Prosecutor General. Upon completion, a legal assessment of the actions and inaction of officials will be given.

The Head of State was also informed about the results of investigations into high-profile criminal cases and the work to protect public interests. As a result of inspections in the social and economic sphere, 11 thousand persons have been brought to justice. KZT10bn has been returned to the budget after investigative activities. The state’s interests to the tune of KZT15.2bn were defended in courts.

Tokayev was also reported on the implementation of his tasks on the protection of businesses and support of significant investment projects.

In addition, the Head of State was informed about the crime situations and measures taken to enforce the constitutional rights of citizens in the criminal law sphere.

Following the meeting, the President pointed to the importance of impartial investigation of the cause of the fire in Abai region, as well as gave concrete tasks to ensure law in all spheres of social and economic life of the country.

Source: inform.kz

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“We achieved a tangible result thanks to the heroic efforts of all those involved in extinguishing and eliminating the wildfire,” said Urankhayev.

As of June 13, there are only smoldering fires with no open flame, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar said, adding that once the fire is extinguished, sanitary deforestation and new tree planting will be carried out.

According to the latest data published by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources on June 13, the total area of the fire in the Abai Region reached 60,000 hectares at its peak. 

Minister of Emergency Situations Syrym Sharipkhanov informed that the fires have “no threat to settlements,” as he observed the affected areas on a helicopter.

The Ministry of Defense said that 600 soldiers, 50 equipment units, and seven helicopters have been mobilized near the settlements of Shulbinsk, Talitsa, Ozerki, Zhernovka, and Baryshevka. Three unmanned aerial vehicles are used to monitor the situation from the air.

The firefighting efforts involve 1,900 people and 360 equipment units, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Approximately 4,486 tons of water was discharged 1,526 times.

Extinguishing the fire has been complicated by high temperatures ranging from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius and strong winds. 

However, rain, thunderstorms, and a temperature drop in the region engulfed in the fire is predicted. The Abai News local telegram channel reported that it has already started to rain today.

Countries worldwide offer their support

World leaders and representatives of international organizations have sent letters of condolences to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev following the day of national mourning on June 12 to honor 14 people killed by the forest fires.

Tokayev held telephone conversations with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who expressed their readiness to assist in the elimination of the fires, Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Aibek Smadiyarov informed.

“So far, we are not asking for assistance and handling it ourselves. However, as far as I heard, these countries are ready to help,” Smadiyarov said.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon and  Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdymukhamedov conveyed sincere words of support to the families and relatives of the fire victims and wished a speedy recovery to all the injured.

Kazakh citizens and businesses provide humanitarian assistance

Since the fire outbreak, Kazakh entrepreneurs and citizens have been providing all possible assistance round-the-clock for the uninterrupted work of specialists involved in extinguishing the fire and eliminating its consequences.

Volunteers have been collecting funds, purchasing and delivering food and necessary items, and preparing hot meals for the firefighters and the people in evacuation points, who were forced to leave their property and needed support.

Several entrepreneurs in the Abai Region have collected 17 million tenge ($37,867) to help the victims. They plan to continue providing the necessary assistance to restore housing and social conditions.

People countrywide have extended their support and sympathy as much as they can. Artists Pavel Cas and Diana Scar installed a memorial in the city of Almaty, using 14 bricks to make a wall symbolizing protection from fire. The silhouettes of people were drawn with fire.

“Many people came to express solidarity and sympathy. The fire continues, and now it is essential to support volunteer organizations that are assisting those who have suffered,” Cas wrote on his Instagram page.

Source: The Astana Times

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Until early 2022, Myrzakhmetov helped run the lobby together with the billionaire son-in-law of the former president.

The anti-corruption service in Kazakhstan has detained the former head of a business lobby group close to one of the former president’s billionaire sons-in-law on suspicion of soliciting a bribe reportedly worth almost $30 million.

The Anti-Corruption Service said in a statement on May 11 that Ablai Myrzakhmetov was seeking the payment in return for helping a relative of the bribe-giver avoid criminal prosecution.

It is unclear in what capacity Myrzakhmetov might have been able to offer this assistance. He is not known to hold a government post.

Details around the arrest are being kept under wraps in the interests of not derailing the investigation, the anti-corruption body said. Local media have reported , however, citing unnamed government insiders, that Myrzakhmetov was taken into custody after accepting a 13 billion tenge ($29 million) payment.

Myrzakhmetov served as chairman of the board of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs from 2013 until his resignation in February last year. He stepped down one month after Timur Kulibayev, who is the husband of one of ex-President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s daughters, quit as chair of the Atameken presidium, a post he had held for eight years.

The departures of Myrzakhmetov and Kulibayev from Atameken followed the major, deadly nationwide turmoil in January 2022 that started out as protests against the rise in price for car fuel but evolved in a broader show of discontent against the corrupt legacy of Nazarbayev’s three-decade-long rule. In the weeks after the unrest subsided, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made concerted efforts to be seen as trying to dismantle some aspects of the cronyism that flourished under his predecessor, who stepped down in 2019.

News of Myrzakhmetov’s arrest comes at a particularly awkward time for Kulibayev. Despite assurances from Tokayev that major businessmen who grew fabulously wealthy under Nazarbayev would increasingly be required to make their riches available for the nation’s needs, Kulibayev’s worth only appears to have grown.

According the latest Kazakhstan rich list produced by the local edition of Forbes magazine, Kulibayev’s fortune has expanded by $400 million over the past year to reach $4.3 billion. His varied portfolio of assets includes a stake in the country’s largest lender, Halyk Bank, oil companies, a network of gas stations, an airline, and an alcohol producer.

In 2021, Myrzakhmetov was ranked 20th in a Forbes list of the “50 most influential businessmen in Kazakhstan.” At that time, he was known to own two enterprises: a medical products manufacturing plant and investment vehicle for developing gold deposits.

This is not Myrzakhmetov’s first brush with the law. In 2003, he was sentenced by the Supreme Court to a five-year suspended sentence for embezzlement, fraud and forging documents. He was found to have committed those offenses while working as head of the national railway company. At another time, he served as a Minister for Transport and Communications.

It was also in 2003 that another pair of former top officials – Mukhtar Ablyazov and Galymzhan Zhakiyanov – were caught up in anti-corruption sweeps.

Political commentators speculated at the time that Myrzakhmetov received lighter treatment from prosecutors because, unlike that pair, he had not dabbled in funding opposition groups. He was so loyal to the Nazarbayev regime, in fact, that by 2005 he was appointed a member of a presidential Council of Entrepreneurs and then made head of the presidium of what was then known as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Source: Eur Asia Net

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Alikhan Smailov was reelected Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, through a degree formalized by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on 30 March 2023. 

Prime Minister Smailov was born in 1972 in the city of Almaty (Almaty was renamed “Astana” in May 1998, as it became the new Kazakh capital). He graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh State National University and the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research. 

Between 2015 and 2018, Smailov served as Assistant to the President.

Smailov was First Deputy Prime Minister under Askar Mamin, Kazakhstan’s former Prime Minister, from 2019-2022, while simultaneously holding the post of Finance Minister (from September 2018 until May 2020). Following the January 2022 civil unrest, President Tokayev nominated Smailov as the new Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, with his candidacy unanimously approved by the Parliament. Since January this year, he also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the JSC “Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund”.

Alikhan Smailov was re-elected as Prime Minister of Kazakhstan by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s decree on March 30, 2023. The snap elections are seen as an important step forward for Kazakhstan’s democracy as it seeks to modernize its economy and become a leader among Central Asian countries

The reelection of Smailov is evidence that Kazakhstan is coming close to a full reset of its political regime, following the tragic events back in January 2022. While elections for the lower House of Parliament, which still exercised sweeping powers, were not scheduled until 2026 during the time of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Tokayev was prompted to call for a snap vote and the elections was scheduled on 19 March 2023. 

Seven political parties competed in the elections, the outcome cementing the grip on power by Tokayev, allowing him to continue an urgently needed reshuffle of the ruling elite. Smailov was reelected, with 82 votes for, seven against, and eight abstentions.

Upon the reelection of Smailov, President Tokayev commended him in a speech in Parliament, adjudging him a professional and experienced specialist and hardworking functionary. Tokayev also concluded that Smailov was quite familiar with the tasks assigned to the Government. 

“I have therefore decided that he can be entrusted with the Prime Minister’s post,” President Tokayev declared.

Smailov thanked the President for his support, emphasizing that as an initial step, he would implement the President’s election manifesto and confirm the program of Amanat Party. “We will also accord proper consideration to constructive proposals of other parties and members of Parliament, the business community and citizens,” Smailov stated.

Priority has been directed to delivering five percent economic growth in the medium term, while suppressing inflation by 200%, by the end of this year. Smailov highlighted a focus on economic diversification, saturation of the Kazakh market with domestically produced goods and growth in the production of non-commodity goods with high added value.

“Among the main government’s efforts will be comprehensive measures to support entrepreneurship and revive the business climate, address pressing business issues, ensure employment and raise the real income levels of our citizens,” the Prime Minister stressed.

The Kazakh Government has vowed to increase the capacity of the transport system of Kazakhstan and develop broader international corridors. According to Smailov, key areas in education and healthcare will emphasize improved efficiency and quality of public services, as well as further digitalization and the introduction of a “single state digital platform”. The Government will seek to address the tasks set by the President for the nation’s socio-economic development, improving the quality of life and the well-being of the population.

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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to China on May 17-19, reported the Akorda press service on May 8. 

The President is expected to meet President of China Xi Jinping in the Chinese city of Xi’an to address the strategic partnership between the two countries, expanding cooperation in trade, economic, investment, transport and logistics and energy sectors, as well as deepening cultural and humanitarian ties.

The President also plans to meet with the leaders of major Chinese companies and take part in the China + Central Asia (C+C5) Summit.

Source: Astanatimes

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The new plant is envisioned to be constructed in the industrial zone of Taraz city with the company has already started preparation works. Taraz is the administrative seat of Jambyl region in the south of the country near the border with Kyrgyzstan.

Initially, the plant will have an annual capacity of up to 50,000 tons of ferrosilicon which will be upgraded in stages to reach up to 100,000 tons per year.

“The implementation of the Fincraft Resources project together with Monnet Group will attract foreign investment into the economy of Kazakhstan, as well as create jobs in the city of Taraz,” Rakhisev said in a statement.

Rakhisev added that the agreement stipulated that most of the investments in the project are provided by the Indian side, indicating the investment attractiveness of Kazakhstan’s economy and favorable conditions for foreign investors in the Central Asia country.

The total amount of investment will be US$125 million.

Kenes Rakishev signed a shareholder agreement with the Indian holding, Monnet Group on the establishment of a joint venture for the production of ferroalloys.

Monnet Group is a large diversified industrial holding with interests in mining, steel production, ferroalloy production, coal processing, energy, logistics, real estate, etc.

Rakishev, the majority shareholder of Fincraft Resources, also owns Fincraft Group LLP, which operates in seven countries around the world.

Kazakhstan is endowed with abundant mineral resources including coal, ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest uranium producer (33% of world output in 2021, USGS), as well as having extensive coal, gold, and manganese reserves. The mining sector accounts for an estimated 17% of GDP and in 2021 hard minerals and metals made up approximately 16% of the country’s exports by value.

The country has the world’s 8th largest reserves of iron ore with 12.5 billion tons.  The nation ranks second, globally, in manganese ore reserves, estimated at 600 million tons.  The country’s current reserves of copper are estimated at 36 million tons.  Kazakhstan also hosts 30% of the worldwide chromite ore deposits, as well as 95% of the total chromium reserves.

In addition, the companies are discussing opportunities for cooperation in other sectors of the economy.

During the meeting, the prospects for the implementation of long-term and strategically important investment projects were considered.

This confirms India’s interest in establishing cooperation with Kazakhstan in critical sectors of the economy such as energy, petrochemicals and renewable energy.

Such interests from the Indian side were evident when chairman of Indian multinational holding company Adani Group, Gautam Adani met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana on Dec. 13, 2022.  

Tokayev welcomed Adani Group’s plans to develop transport infrastructure in the region. He also noted that Kazakhstan makes efforts to diversify transport routes and develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).

Adani, India’s richest and the world’s third richest man, for this part, told Tokayev that the conglomerate was interested in establishing cooperation with the Kazakh side in other key sectors of economy, including energy, petrochemistry, and renewable energy resources.

In addition to meeting Tokayev, Adani also met Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov where they discussed the possibilities of implementing projects in sectors such as transport and logistics, energy, mining and metallurgical complex, petrochemicals, and agriculture.

Smailov stressed that all these areas are priorities for Kazakhstan’s economy.

In turn, Adani noted that the Adani Group was primarily interested in projects on developing civil aviation, petrochemical sector, transport and logistics infrastructure, renewable energy and production of green hydrogen.

“We are interested in long-term investments, and we would like to know what opportunities we have in Kazakhstan and what projects may be of common interest to us. We are determined to work very actively,” Gautam Adani said.

Earlier on Sept. 6, 2022, steel giant ArcelorMittal executive chair Lakshmi Niwas Mittal said the company would invest $1 billion in Kazakhstan to modernize production during his meeting with Tokayev.

ArcelorMittal Temirtau, part of ArcelorMittal Group, is Kazakhstan’s largest mining and metallurgical enterprise. It includes a steel plant in Temirtau, eight coal mines in the Karaganda Region, and four iron ore mines in the Akmola, Karaganda, and Kostanai regions.

During the meeting, Tokayev and Mittal discussed the company’s steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the domestic market needs through the efficient supplies of ArcelorMittal Temirtau products.

Tokayev pointed out the importance of the company’s compliance to ensure safe work conditions, fair wages for local citizens, social obligations, and modernization of the technical base.

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New York, Brussels, Astana (18/1 – 60).

After facing the most challenging year in 2022, Kazakhstan continues its political modernization. Under the second term of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev who has been reelected in November, Central Asia’s richest country will enjoy more democracy in 2023. This year will be the moment for President Tokayev to prove his vows to step up changes for the ’New Kazakhstan’.

End of the Oligarch

As the world witnessed, in January 2022, Kazakhstan was ripped apart by the nationwide protest that led to the most violent unrest in the country’s modern history. 238 people dead and thousands of protesters were arrested. The ‘Bloody January’ rallies were not merely sparked by high fuel prices, the protesters also highlighted political issues. Especially regarding former president Nursultan Nazarbayev who withstand his more-than-30-year powerful authority after his resignation.

The upheaval made Tokayev strip Nazarbayev from the role of head of Kazakh’s Security Council. Tokayev, who was ‘handpicked’ by Nazarbayev himself in 2019, also removed his predecessor’s loyalists and removed protections for the Nazarbayev family. In aftermath of ‘Bloody January’, Tokayev outlined large-scale economic and political reform.

“The era of oligarchic capitalism is coming to an end in Kazakhstan. The era of the state’s social responsibility towards its citizens is coming,” Tokayev said in October during his visit to Karaganda province.

Building a new economy far from Nazarbayev’s influences, Kazakhstan promises to reduce participation of the state as well as administration barriers. It is meant to solve many complaints by businesses against authorities such as the anti-corruption service and the police.

Challenging Laws

To ensure the implementation of his reform populist agenda in the political sector, Tokayev also appointed a new government. In addition to Alikhan Smailov as the new Prime Minister, young progressive figures rose to the highest ranks of the cabinet. For example, Zulfiya Suleimenova as the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, and Askhat Oralov as the Minister of Culture and Sports. Both are 32 years old.

This year, the former Soviet country will also directly elect heads of administrations in hundreds of districts and cities. The statement was revealed by Erlan Karin, Kazakh’s State Counselor. “The renewal of the corps of rural akims (heads of administrations). It is planned to hold direct elections of more than 350 mayors of villages, towns, and rural districts. These elections will cover more than a thousand rural settlements,” Karin said

Another proof is Kazakh’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has completed registration stages for 66 regional candidates to participate in Senate Election that took place on 14 January. The election uses a new system and rules to determine 20 deputy seats in the highest representative body of the Republic exercising legislative power.

Chairperson of Senate Maulen Ashimbayev says that the election will bring well-qualified lawyers to the Senate to overcome challenging state legislation. “We have many challenging law, the most recent bankruptcy law is the most complicated. We’ll see how it turns out. Still, I believe there will be many questions, and we will learn what the flaws are. As a result, strong lawyers are required to comprehend such legislation,” Ashimbayev explained.

Packed with domestic fundamental changes agenda, it is worth seeing how President Tokayev runs his administration to achieve ‘New Kazakhstan. Questions remain, what is the price of the reform? And how it will affect Kazakh’s diplomatic relations with other countries, especially the two giant neighbors, China and Russia?

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