Kazakhstan Wants To Get Rid Of Dependence On Russia And Oil

And it's betting on AI.

Kazakhstan seeks to take the place of a high-tech mid-level state between Russia and China, betting on attracting foreign investment, developing digital technologies and strengthening economic independence. This is according to Bloomberg.

The publication draws attention to the transformation of Astana, which in a quarter of a century has gone from a provincial city with Soviet-style buildings to a modern capital with world-class architecture. The relocation of the capital after independence in 1991 was not only an infrastructure project, but also a symbol of strengthening national sovereignty, especially in the northern regions of the country.

In the opinion of the authors of the material, the fears of the first president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev about the independence of the state were not unfounded. Bloomberg recalls the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014, when he questioned the historical statehood of Kazakhstan.

Despite close economic ties with Russia, Kazakhstan consistently pursues a multi-vector foreign policy, developing relations simultaneously with China, the United States, Turkey and European countries. The Trans-Caspian international transportation route, known as the Middle Corridor, plays an important role in this strategy. Over the past seven years, the volume of freight traffic along this route has increased fivefold, allowing the country to strengthen its position as a transit hub between Asia and Europe.

Geopolitical changes in recent years have also opened up new opportunities for Kazakhstan. Russia's war against Ukraine has boosted trade ties with European markets, and Western investor interest has been bolstered by critical mineral reserves. Additional demand for Kazakh oil has arisen amid instability in global energy markets.

At the same time, the authorities are trying to reduce the economy's dependence on raw materials. Special attention is paid to the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. For this purpose, the country has created a separate ministry responsible for the development of AI and digital services, and officials responsible for digitalization have been appointed in government agencies.

Artificial intelligence has also been integrated into the educational system. The authorities expect to train about 100,000 specialists in the digital sphere and teach basic skills of working with AI technologies to up to one million citizens, which should become the basis for further modernization of the economy.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com