Foreign media on Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan, Georgia push forward with Middle Corridor infrastructure upgrades; Kazakhstan envoy on strengthening Saudi ties

Trend News Agency: Kazakhstan, Georgia push forward with Middle Corridor infrastructure upgrades

Kazakhstan and Georgia are focusing on boosting freight volumes along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and upgrading transit infrastructure, Trend reports.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, congratulating him on his reappointment and praising Georgia’s 9.4% economic growth. Tokayev emphasized strong bilateral ties, calling Georgia a “reliable partner” in the Caucasus.

“Kazakhstan and Georgia cooperate effectively at various levels, including collaboration between parliaments, governments, and state agencies,” said Tokayev.

Kobakhidze expressed Georgia’s commitment to strengthening political and economic cooperation.

“We are ready to actively support Kazakhstan’s interests in various formats, including multilateral platforms,” he said, also inviting Tokayev to visit Georgia.

The talks covered trade, energy, investment, AI, digitalization, and regional security. Kobakhidze also met Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, focusing on trade, logistics, oil transportation, digital technologies, and tourism.

Kazakhstan-Georgia trade is growing rapidly. In 2024, Kazakh exports to Georgia rose 34%, transit through Kazakhstan increased 40%, and total cargo transport reached 4.7 million tons. Over four years, cargo volumes between the two nations increased ninefold, while TITR traffic grew sixfold.

World Health Organization: Sale of energy drinks to minors banned in Kazakhstan in bold public health move

Kazakhstan has banned the sale of energy drinks to individuals under 21, aiming to reduce sugar consumption and prevent health issues like obesity and diabetes, WHO reports. The law, effective January 2025, follows WHO recommendations to curb the risks of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among young people.

Over 40% of school-aged children in Kazakhstan regularly consume energy drinks, contributing to rising noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Despite industry opposition, the government prioritized public health, supported by WHO research linking SSBs to obesity and heart disease.

Kazakhstan’s move aligns with global health strategies. WHO suggests further measures like SSB taxation, stricter marketing regulations, and nutrition education to reinforce the fight against NCDs.

This bold action sets an example for other countries, proving that strong policies can prioritize health over commercial interests.

Arab News: Kazakhstan envoy on strengthening Saudi ties in politics, trade, food security

According to Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Madiyar Menilbekov, his work will focus on strengthening bilateral ties in politics, trade, culture, tourism, and agriculture, Arab News reports.

“As ambassador extraordinaire of the country of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I received instructions from our president to develop bilateral relations, first on the political side,” Menilbekov said.

He highlighted President Tokayev’s visit to Riyadh in December 2023.

“I’m focusing on the development and the strengthening of trade and economic relations and, of course, the implementation of investment projects,” he said, working closely with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce. A Saudi delegation will visit Kazakhstan in early 2025, followed by a Kazakh delegation’s trip to the Kingdom.

Menilbekov noted growing travel between the two countries.

“Before, it was a visit for pilgrims to Jeddah and Madinah, but last year and in 2023, I found a number of Kazakh tourists who are visiting Riyadh in big numbers, as well as AlUla and Madinah,” he said.

Currently, 7,000 Saudis visit Kazakhstan annually, while over 20,000 Kazakhs travel to Saudi Arabia.

Kazakhstan is partnering with ACWA Power on a 1-gigawatt wind power project and plans joint agricultural investments with Saudi companies.

“Taking into account the importance of food security in the near future, I think we can implement and start joint investment projects in agriculture. We want the situation to be win-win — one project in Kazakhstan and one project in Saudi Arabia.”

Menilbekov praised Saudi Arabia’s global summits, including the Future Minerals Forum, FII, and LEAP Forum, and its rapid transformation.

“There are huge reforms and big changes in Saudi Vision 2030, big changes in economic social life, in tourism, in sport,” he said, “Saudi Arabia is fast-growing and implementing all tasks in Saudi Vision 2030, and (it is a) big achievement to host Expo 2030 and (the 2034) World Cup.”

The Poultry Site: Kazakhstan announces first stage of meat, poultry quotas

The Poultry Site reports that Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration announced the first stage of 2025 meat and poultry quotas by HS code for historic suppliers (i.e., importers) at the end of December, according to a recent USDA-FAS GAIN report.

The first stage approved the distribution of 2,835 tons of beef and 31,500 tons of poultry. The 2025 TRQ volumes and rates remain unchanged from those announced in 2024.

USDA advised exporters that shipping, transportation, and customs clearance delays related to the geopolitical situation have been reported in several Baltic and Caspian Sea ports of entry, and along ground transportation routes in Eastern Europe.

Anadolu Agency: Kazakhstan preliminary report suggests Azerbaijani plane was penetrated by foreign objects before crash

Kazakhstan released a preliminary report on Tuesday regarding the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash near Aktau Airport in December, Anadolu Agency reports. The initial examination found multiple holes and dents in the aircraft, with evidence of a collision with “foreign metal objects.”

“The initial examination of the fragments discovered many through holes and dents of different sizes and shapes in the tail section of the fuselage, the vertical stabilizer, and the horizontal stabilizers, as well as in the elevators and rudders,” the report stated. It also noted that “similar damage was found on the left engine and left wing of the aircraft, as well as on various components and systems of the aircraft.” Some holes had a “distinct rectangular shape” and foreign metal objects were discovered, requiring further analysis.

The AZAL Embraer 190 crashed on Dec. 25, 2024, killing 38 of 67 people on board. While initial reports suggested a bird collision, large holes in the tail raised speculation of an attack. The report added, “Appropriate investigations and examinations will be conducted to determine the nature and origin of through-the-wall damage caused by foreign objects.”

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