In the framework of international cooperation and cultural exchange, representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ukraine visited the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine in Kyiv. The main purpose of the visit was the ceremony of handing over digital copies of the Kamianets-Podilskyi Armenian Voytov Court record books written in the Armenian-Kipchak language.
The ceremony was attended by counselors of the Embassy Alibek Alibekov, Yevgeniy Katrenov and Daniyar Satybaldin, director of the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine Yaroslav Fayzulin, as well as archive staff and representatives of Kazakh business.
These unique historical documents are of great importance for the cultural heritage and history of both Ukraine and Kazakhstan. They testify to the rich cultural and historical ties between the peoples who lived on the territory of modern Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
The representatives expressed special gratitude to Kazakh businessman and philanthropist Aidyn Rakhimbayev, who made it possible to obtain these historical documents. Aidyn Rakhimbayev is known for his numerous charitable projects and support of cultural initiatives. In gratitude for his cooperation, five modern computers were donated to the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine on behalf of Mr. Rakhimbayev.
This gesture contributes to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as supports the preservation of historical heritage and the development of cultural ties.
Ancient Kipchak books are handwritten documents created in the Middle Ages, when the Kipchaks (Polovtsians) were one of the most powerful nomadic peoples in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. These books contain valuable historical, legal, and literary texts that reflect the social life, traditions, and legal systems of the time.
The Armenian-Kipchak language is considered to be a unique historical and linguistic phenomenon that arose as a result of the long coexistence of Armenian and Kipchak communities on the territory of modern Ukraine. This language was used by Armenians living in the Crimea, Kamianets-Podilskyi, and other cities where the Kipchaks had significant influence. The Armenian-Kipchak language is a mixed language that combines elements of the Kipchak (Polovtsian) and Armenian languages, making it a unique cultural heritage.
The Kamianets-Podilskyi Armenian Voytiv Court was a judicial institution that operated in Kamianets-Podilskyi during the Middle Ages. It resolved legal issues of the local Armenian community. The record books of this court are valuable sources on the history of law, ethnography, and social life of the society of that time. These books have been stored in the archive for centuries and have now become available thanks to their digitization.
Kazakhstan has now received digital copies of unique ancient Kipchak books, which are now available for study and research, enriching the historical heritage of both countries.
On July 22, 1992, the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine established diplomatic relations. And in December 1994, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ukraine was opened.
The National Bank of Kazakhstan has raised its economic growth forecast for 2024-2025 to 4-5% per year from the previously expected 3.5-4.5%, the regulator said in a statement citing its updated macroeconomic forecasts.
This year, GDP growth is still expected to reach 4.2-5.2%.
“Forecasts for the growth of Kazakhstan’s economy in the medium term have been improved. The expansion of business activity will be driven by sustained domestic demand, increased budget expenditures and the recovery of the oil sector. (…) The risks to the GDP forecast are associated with possible problems of access to international markets for Kazakh exports, as well as the likelihood of not achieving the planned oil production,” the statement said.
In addition, the inflation forecast has been adjusted. In the short term, uncertainty about price growth has decreased. In the baseline scenario, inflation is projected to be in the range of 10-12% this year (previous forecast – 11-14%), 7.5-9.5% in 2024 (9-11%), and 5.5-7.5% in 2025 (corresponding to the previous forecast).
“At the same time, without taking into account the direct effect of the increase in utility tariffs, to which the NBU does not respond by changing the key policy rate, the medium-term inflation target of 5% is expected to be reached by the end of 2025. This will be facilitated by the further easing of pressure from the external environment and monetary conditions that are in the restraining zone,” the statement said.
The main risks to the inflation forecast, according to the National Bank, include increased fiscal stimulus, “unanchored inflation expectations,” accelerating inflation in Russia and a possible rise in world food prices due to the failure to renew the grain initiative. Another risk in the forecast is the continuation of pricing reforms in the Kazakh fuel and lubricants market.
Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 3.1% in 2022, with inflation at 20.3%.
For more information on macroeconomics, please see the analytical programs of the Expert Club at https://youtu.be/zCJ1cU3n0sY?si=zfnGIkt5zdhX_j3x
The EU is considering imposing sanctions against dozens of companies from China, Iran, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan that cooperate with Russia, Reuters reports.
The agency cites diplomatic sources familiar with the European Commission’s draft proposals. Inclusion of these companies in the “black list” is possible within the framework of the prepared 11 package of anti-Russian sanctions.
In late April, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Elizabeth Rosenberg during a visit to Kazakhstan warned of the growing risks of secondary sanctions against Kazakh companies and banks that help Russia evade Western sanctions imposed in response to the full-scale war against Ukraine unleashed by Russia.
CHINA, EU, IRAN, KAZAKHSTAN, SANCTIONS, UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have set up a joint foreign trade company to increase bilateral trade and enter the markets of third countries.
The founders of the export-import enterprise were the QazTrade Trade Policy Development Center and the UzTrade company.
The foreign trade company will focus on conducting market research and competitive analysis of products of large enterprises of the two countries, developing proposals for placing orders for the production of finished goods, optimizing and coordinating mutual trade processes, assisting businesses in certification and promotion of goods for export.
“At the initial stage, we plan to purchase fruit and vegetable products from Uzbekistan to meet the needs of our domestic market. In addition, we will help sell Kazakh flour products in Uzbekistan with the possibility of further export to Afghanistan. We have agreed with the Uzbek side to provide preferences for logistics costs,” said Nuraly Bukeykhanov, Head of the Trade Policy Development Center.
In 2022, trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reached $5 billion, up 29.8% year-on-year ($3.8 billion).
The volume of exports of Kazakhstani goods increased by 33% to $3.7 billion. The growth in exports was mainly due to an increase in supplies of ore and copper concentrate (up 4.8 times), wheat (up 32.3%), cars (up 83.7%), sunflower oil (up 97.2 times), fresh and chilled beef (up 4.1 times), and raw aluminum (up 70.4%).
In 2022, imports to Kazakhstan from Uzbekistan increased by 21.4% to $ 1.3 billion. Kazakhstan mainly buys car bodies, spark-ignition internal combustion engines, grapes, flat-rolled unalloyed steel, lead ores and concentrates, building bricks, floor blocks and similar ceramic products, parts and accessories for cars and tractors, and ethylene polymers.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan this week, Chinese media reported on Monday, citing the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Xi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand and will visit Kazakhstan from September 14 to September 16, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
As previously reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to hold a meeting with Chinese President Xi on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand.
The SCO summit will be held in Samarkand on September 15-16.
The agricultural sector of Kazakhstan has great potential and can become one of the long-term suppliers of high-quality wheat and oilseeds to Saudi Arabia, President of the Republic Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
“Kazakhstan ranks second in the world in terms of arable land per capita and fifth in terms of pasture resources (180 million hectares). Our country is one of the 10 largest producers of wheat and flour. We are ready to become one of the stable, long-term suppliers of high-quality wheat, flour and oilseeds to the kingdom,” Tokayev said, speaking at an investment round table with representatives of the business community of Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Jeddah.
KAZAKHSTAN, OILSEEDS, SAUDI ARABIA, SUPPLIER, Tokayev, WHEAT
