Written by Dr. Abdul Rahim Abdul Wahid
Astana – Alibek Kuantyrov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, described the relations with the UAE as strategic in many sectors, especially economic and investment, emphasizing the importance of investment cooperation between his country and the UAE. He noted that the current stage of these relations is due to the political will of the leadership of both countries, highlighting the achievements in investment through numerical data.
Regarding UAE investment projects in Kazakhstan, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said during a press conference on the sidelines of the Astana International Forum, which concluded two days ago: “Certainly, it is very important to work with all regional entities. However, we have several priority projects, including the ‘Masdar’ project, which is related to renewable energy. Also, many Emirati companies are interested in the education system, as you can see many schools in Astana built by Emirati investors.”
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs added: “We are also working with several investors, whom I cannot name now due to confidential documents. Nevertheless, we are working on projects related to water management and agriculture as well. We already have four investment projects completed by the UAE, seven projects currently under implementation, and five projects under study and discussion. In total, we have 16 major investment projects between Kazakhstan and the UAE.”
He said: “I hope that the implementation phase of these five projects will start this year. The value varies for each project, but for example, one completed project involves 80 ports, implemented two years ago, with a total project value exceeding $30 million, implemented on the Caspian Sea. Another project was implemented in 2019, involving warehouse construction, with a total project value of approximately $15 million.”
He continued: “I believe the largest project will be ‘Masdar,’ the largest energy generation station project with a capacity of 1 gigawatt, with a total amount exceeding $1.4 billion. Construction is scheduled to start this year, and the investment contract was signed last year in the Azerbaijani capital during the 29th Baku Climate Summit.”
Kuantyrov touched upon many Kazakh achievements with countries around the world, specifically in Africa, Europe, and Central Asia, concluding positively on the importance of new prospects for trade, economic, industrial, and technological cooperation between Kazakhstan and those countries.
Kuantyrov added: “We are also working with several investors, whom I cannot name now due to confidential documents. Nevertheless, we are working on projects related to water management and agriculture as well. We already have four investment projects completed by the UAE, seven projects currently under implementation, and five projects under study and discussion. In total, we have 16 major investment projects between Kazakhstan and the UAE.”
from other point, Kuantyrov Kazakhstan’s strategic role in the Eurasian region and gave detailed the country’s transport modernization agenda, positioning the Middle Corridor as a central artery for Eurasian logistics.
He said:“In 2024, total cargo volume transported via the Middle Corridor rose by 60% compared to 2023, reaching approximately 4.5 million tons, with a target of hitting 10 million tons in a couple of years”.
Kazakhstan is investing $35 billion in transport infrastructure between 2023 and 2027. Key projects include the development of new railway lines, port expansions, and dry port development, all undertaken in collaboration with international partners.
“Through this effort, the Caspian segment of the corridor is becoming not only a transit point, but a strategic logistics hub linking Central Asia to global markets,” Kuantyrov said.
Kuantyrov said:”Kazakhstan is ready to serve as a connector of ideas, a builder of consensus and a trusted partner across regions and cultures”.
