The Republic of Kazakhastan holds enormous agriculture joint venture opportunities, as well as education, tourism + transitional renewable energy investments – particularly for Australia.
According to Carbon Tracker, Kazakhstan’s global emissions is relatively limited, although their emissions intensity relative to GDP is very high, with the energy sector being the core source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the country with a share of 82.4% (and fuel combustion responsible for 70.5% of overall country GHG emissions) – plus the Central Asian region is also extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts.
KAZAKHASTAN’S AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION RISING
Approximately 75% of the country’s territory is suitable for agricultural production, but only about 30% of the land is currently under agricultural production of approximately USD 8.4 billion in 2021 – according to the OECD, in 2019 the agricultural sector accounted for approximately 4.5% of Kazakhstan’s economic production.
Kazakhstan is one of the world’s major wheat and flour exporters. It is among the 10 largest wheat producers. The main grain crop is milling wheat, which is typically high in quality and protein. There is a growing trend for Kazakhstan to export its grain internationally.
China’s Food Silk Road agriculture investments of a joint Chinese-Kazakh logistics terminal at the Lianyungang Port, one of China’s largest trading ports, began operation in 2014. The main aim of the logistics center is to export wheat to Southeast Asia. In early March 2017, a ship carrying 720 tons of Kazakh wheat was shipped from Lianyungang Port to Vietnam, making it the first time wheat from Kazakhstan had been sold to the Southeast Asian market.
Following the establishment of this route, Kazakhstan began to export wheat to Malaysia. This exporter remains interested in selling wheat and other agricultural products (such as meat, fruit, and vegetables) to Malaysia as part of broader efforts to boost bilateral ties.
Vietnam remains interested in Kazakhstan’s wheat as well. In August 2023, the two countries signed 12 cooperation agreements to strengthen bilateral relations, including agriculture, to put in place between 2023 and 2025. While wheat was not explicitly mentioned, Hanoi remains interested in alternative wheat importers.
Australian, Dr. Russell Rieck’s on-the ground account of doing business in Kazakhstan.
Reick was based in Kazakhstan from April 2017 until December 2019 with the largest mining company in Kazakhstan to run their capital project portfolio. Rieck, is Mannkal Chairman and Senior Consultant to the Mining and Metals Industry. A highly relevant and interesting read HERE+
The Human Rights Watch assessment on Kazakhstan.
Authorities in Kazakhstan did not meaningfully address persistent human rights violations in 2023 or ensure accountability for past abuses, and violent attacks on journalists increased in early 2023. In May 2024 USA & Kazakhstan human rights meetings International Affairs Erzhan Kazykhan and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya co-chaired the third meeting of the annual High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms. Large-scale anti-government protests rocked Kazakhstan in January 2022, setting off a cascade of human rights violations by the authorities, including excessive use of force against protesters, arbitrary arrest and detention, and ill-treatment and torture of detainees. Free speech and the right to peaceful protest are suppressed. Independent trade unions face harassment and interference. Impunity for torture and ill-treatment persists. Children with disabilities are largely denied a quality, inclusive education.
