Foreign media on Kazakhstan: EU remains key political and trade partner, says Kazakh President; Kazakhstan introduces new visa categories for entrepreneurs, digital nomads

Euronews: EU remains key political and trade partner, says Kazakhstan president

The Kazakh president and the European Council president discussed key bilateral cooperation issues and maintaining constructive dialogues, reports Euronews.

In a phone call, António Costa and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized deepening engagement under the EU Strategy for Central Asia and the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Tokayev reaffirmed the EU as a key trade and political partner, while they discussed economic ties, political dialogue, and joint projects in logistics, energy, transport, and digital transformation.

Costa praised Kazakhstan’s regional stability efforts and reforms. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation.

On social media, Costa stated: “In my phone call with the President of Kazakhstan, I expressed our appreciation for the strategic cooperation we have established together. Kazakhstan is an important partner of the EU, and we will continue to strengthen trade and connectivity links.”

“I commended Kazakhstan’s principled stance in supporting a rules-based international order. We agreed to continue cooperating closely in support of multilateralism, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of conflicts, I look forward to our discussions in Samarkand during the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit in April,” he added

The EU remains Kazakhstan’s top investment partner, with $6.4 billion (€6.2bn) in FDI last year. Trade turnover reached $48.7bn (€47.3bn), making up 80% of Central Asia’s total trade.

Tokayev also invited Costa to visit Kazakhstan.

The Korea Post: Kazakhstan introduces new visa categories for entrepreneurs and digital nomads

According to The Korea Post, Kazakhstan has introduced new visa categories to attract entrepreneurs, professionals, and remote workers. With the goal of further enhancing its position as a global talent hub and innovation center, the country has unveiled the Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1), Digital Nomad Visa (B9-1), and Permanent Residency Visa (B9).

The Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) is a special visa for professionals and digital entrepreneurs who wish to earn income from abroad while working remotely in Kazakhstan. This visa is valid for up to one year and allows for a one-year extension within Kazakhstan. Family members and dependents can also obtain visas for the same duration. However, employment and religious activities are subject to restrictions under Kazakhstan’s laws.

The Digital Nomad Visa (B9-1) is designed for professionals working in the IT sector who wish to relocate to Kazakhstan and obtain permanent residency. This visa allows for the issuance of a single-entry electronic visa valid for up to one year, after which applicants can apply for a multiple-entry paper visa through Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs for up to one additional year.

The Permanent Residency Visa (B9) is intended for skilled foreign professionals in fields such as medicine, science, education, and other essential industries, allowing them to settle in Kazakhstan long-term. The single-entry visa is valid for up to 90 days, while the multiple-entry visa is also valid for up to 90 days and can be issued once per year. After arriving in Kazakhstan, holders of this visa can transition to permanent residency.

A representative from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea commented, “For those seeking long-term opportunities or looking to gain fresh inspiration as digital nomads, Kazakhstan’s new visa options provide the flexibility and support needed to succeed in a global environment.” The representative also emphasized that Kazakhstan will become an attractive destination for remote workers seeking a dynamic and connected base in Central Asia.

Numismatic News: Returning to cultural roots in Kazakhstan

The National Bank of Kazakhstan unveils the new 2,000 tenge note, blending ancient Saka heritage, local wildlife, and cutting-edge security features in its latest banknote redesign, Numismatic News reports.

The National Bank of Kazakhstan released the design for the updated 2,000 tenge, which is part of a greater initiative called the “Saka Style” series. The term Saka is the name for a collection of ancient tribes that resided in modern-day Kazakhstan.

The bank’s website explains, “The new bank note series is dedicated to the Saka culture, conveying the unique perspectives of our distant ancestors, their connection with nature, and the animal world of our vast territory.”

This series revamps the appearance of the country’s bank notes with local wildlife, ancient cultural motifs, and modern innovations.

The series has been in effect since late 2023. In addition to including cultural and scientific images, these redesigns also provide updated security measurements.

Among the many details of the 2,000 tenge is a detail of the headdress of the Golden Man (a decorated skeleton found at Issyk Kurgan), a horned animal sculpture, and a DNA spiral on the face.

The reverse features a saiga antelope, an ancient symbol of a Kazakh circular shield, and the outline of an infinity symbol encasing an illustration of Burabi Lake. The 2,000 tenge will be circulated in the second quarter of 2025.

TipRanks: Arras Minerals uncovers promising copper-gold mineralization in Kazakhstan

Arras Minerals Corp announced the results from its Phase 1 drill program at the Berezski target in Northeast Kazakhstan, revealing significant copper-gold mineralization, TipRanks reports.

These results, particularly from holes EL24005 and EL24006, indicate the potential development of a new porphyry center, which could enhance the company’s exploration prospects and strength in the region. The findings provide promising vectors for the upcoming Phase 2 program, suggesting further exploration targets beyond the current anomaly boundaries.

Arras Minerals Corp is a mineral exploration company focused on discovering and developing copper and gold resources. It operates primarily in Kazakhstan, with a specific emphasis on the Berezski target within the Elemes project, situated in the Bozshakol-Chingiz Magmatic arc.

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