Foreign News Recap: Insights on New Investor Visa, Critical Mineral Investments, EU Relations, and Further Topics
Unleashing the Power of Central Asia: Why Europe Can't Ignore Kazakhstan
Hop on aboard as we take a spin through the dynamic world of global politics and commerce! This time around, we're diving into the reasons behind Europe's growing focus on Central Asia, with a special emphasis on Kazakhstan.
First up, let's check out a tantalizing article from The National Interest, published on April 28, which delves into the EU's increasingly close relationship with Central Asia and, more specifically, the critically important role Kazakhstan plays in this arrangement. The EU, it seems, isn't just interested in raw materials and trade routes. No, sirree! This region is rapidly becoming a strategic hub that's only going to get more significant in the future.
Kazakhstan, as you might have guessed, is the EU's most cherished partner in Central Asia. Bilateral trade between the two hit a mind-blowing $50 billion in 2024, with EU investments surpassing a cool $200 billion. Kazakhstan accounts for a staggering 80% of the EU's trade with Central Asia and over 40% of the region's total European Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
During the EU-Central Asia Summit in April 2025, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared Kazakhstan's readiness to boost its exports to the EU across a whopping 175 commodity categories worth over $2 billion. He also emphasized Kazakhstan's ambition to transform into a vital transit hub linking East and West, a key foundation of EU-Central Asia collaboration.
Next, let's discuss the surge in oil shipments via the Mediterranean and Caspian routes. The National Oil Company of Kazakhstan, KazMunayGas, has been busy expanding its sea transportation activities, with significant growth in oil shipments through the Mediterranean Sea, primarily due to ramped-up exports from the Port of Ceyhan and increased activity along the Aktau-Makhachkala and Aktau-Baku routes in the Caspian Sea. Notably, oil transportation via the Black Sea has seen a tiny downturn, while volumes through the Caspian Sea have skyrocketed compared to the preceding year.
Moving right along, the give-and-take between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan has been strengthening through new trade agreements and ambitious infrastructure plans, as highlighted by $140 million in export deals signed during a recent business forum in Kabul. These deals encompass the supply of various Kazakh goods to Afghanistan and signal Kazakhstan's burgeoning interest in expanding its presence in the Afghan market.
The Afghanistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum, hosted by over 400 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials from both nations, witnessed representatives from Kazakh manufacturers showcasing products from industries such as agribusiness and textiles.
As Kazakhstan continues to embark on its journey towards attracting international business, it's took another significant stride by introducing a shiny new investor visa. This move, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, aims to make the country more appealing to foreign investors, all while fostering long-term business partnerships.
This investor visa program, modeled after similar schemes implemented in countries ranging from Europe to the UAE, promises to be an effective tool for attracting capital, technology, and business activity. Essentially, foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $300,000 in the charter capital of Kazakh companies or in local publicly traded securities can now apply for the much-coveted "golden visa," which offers a residence permit in Kazakhstan for up to a decade.
As Kazakhstan strives to establish itself as a key player in the global critical minerals supply chain, it's putting a strong emphasis on battery materials. Thanks to its abundant reserves, the country was the world's leading uranium producer in 2024, accounting for a whopping 38% of the global supply. In 2023, it was also the eighth-largest copper producer worldwide with an output of 828,500 tons (t), and the eighth-largest zinc producer globally. Kazakhstan also accounted for around 17% of titanium sponge production in 2024.
Determined to make the most of its mineral wealth, Kazakhstan is collaborating with Japan on a groundbreaking mining research partnership under the Japan's Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program. This joint project, named Next-generation Smart Mining Plus for Sustainable Resources Development, aims to modernize mining through smart technologies and knowledge exchange. The project is scheduled to run until March 31, 2030, providing a long-term framework for technology transfer and institutional capacity building.
Lastly, Kazakhstan has started exporting 60,000 tons of wheat to Morocco through an epic logistical operation that involves rolling 17 trains helmed with precious grain across rail routes before reaching the Baltic Sea port of Liepāja, where the grain is shipped off to merchant vessels bound for the Moroccan coast.
In a nutshell, the EU is all over Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan, and the reasons aren't rocket science – geopolitical strategy, economic diversification, and resource security. This strategic alliance promises mutual benefits, as both parties stand to gain by enhancing cooperation. So, keep an eye on the dynamic relationship between Europe and Kazakhstan – it's bound to be a fascinating ride!
- To further cement its strategic position, Kazakhstan is prioritizing integration with Europe through technology, with a focus on smart mining techniques coupled with Japanese research partnerships under the SATREPS program.
- In an effort to diversify exports, Kazakhstan is shipping tons of wheat to Morocco, showcasing their potential as a key provider of critical agricultural resources.
- In the ongoing EU-Central Asia collaboration, technology is playing a crucial role, with Kazakhstan aiming to transform into a vital transit hub that fosters East-West connections by integrating advanced transport and logistics systems.
