Kazakhstan
News Bulletin
Released weekly by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
January 8, 2003 Vol. 1, No.1
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In this issue:
Disneyland and Las Vegas come together... in Astana
Kazakhstan, U.S. "natural allies", says Ambassador
President Nazarbayev finishes off 2002 with visits to Russia...
...and China
President signs new laws on electronic document and signature
Economy forecast to grow 6% in 2003
Dec. 28 by-election results certified
Disneyland and Las Vegas come together in Astana
Major entertainment center featuring aquarium, theme park, casino to open soon
Architects and construction workers are moving into the final stages of building a remarkable entertainment center in Astana designed to bring ocean and jungle together for people in the middle of the continent.
When completed, the center called Duman will have combined Disneyland and Las Vegas under one roof and will merit a place in the Guinness book of records, its creators hope. Duman is meant to become one of the most striking among more than a dozen new facilities to be completed in Kazakhstan's new capital this year.
Spanning over 110,000 square meters, Duman will feature oceanic aquarium, a 3D-movie theater, two restaurants and a shopping and cafe mall. There will be a theme park, Jungles, and a local "Las Vegas" including casinos, a nightclub and a hotel. The center will be open 24/7 and will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 visitors at once.
A huge indoor oceanic aquarium is poised to become Duman's major feature. When finished, it will use 3 million liter of water (roughly 900,000 gallons) and display 3,000 oceanic species. The 70-meter glass tunnel will pass through the bottom of the largest reservoir, allowing visitors to view sharks, sting rays, morays, piranhas, sea horses and stars. The species are to be bought from Sri Lanka and China and flown to Astana in special planes.
Company behind the construction believes the aquarium in such a form will be worthy a place in the Guinness book as the most remote aquarium from the open seas. The steppe groundhog named Dumanya is to become the symbol of the new center.
Kazakhstan, U.S. "natural allies", says Ambassador
Common interests in fighting terrorism, ensuring economic security and prosperity
Kazakhstan is clearly considered a "natural ally" of the United States as its in its fight against terrorism and search for stability in the world energy markets, the republic's Ambassador said in an interview with Express-K national daily newspaper in December 26, devoted to the 11th anniversary of establishment of Kazakhstan-U.S. diplomatic relations.
"The continuing instability in Afghanistan, and the unpredictable situation in the energy markets, particularly in the Middle East, compels America to look for a reliable helping hand in the region [of Central Asia]," Ambassador Kanat Saudabayev noted in the interview that touched upon history, achievements and future prospects of the bilateral relations.
The relations of strategic partnership between the two nations are based on a solid foundation of "significant achievements in economic and democratic development of our nation, political maturity and stability of the Kazakhstan's society," he said, referring to an average 10 percent annual GDP growth for the past 3 years, the country's recognition as a market economy country and other factors. "All this has been achieved without significant foreign financial assistance", the Ambassador said. Kazakhstan is viewed today not as a recipient country, but rather as "an example of dynamic and efficient transformation of the society on the principles of democracy and free market."
"This may turn Kazakhstan into a development model for the entire of Central Asia," Mr. Saudabayev said.
"I won't be mistaken if I say Kazakhstan's importance for the United States' long-term interests will continue to increase, and today both sides have a clear understanding that it is crucial to move toward each other across the whole spectrum of bilateral relations," the diplomat stated. "This is beneficial for both countries and I am very optimistic about the prospects of cooperation between our two nations".
President Nazarbayev finishes off 2002 with visits to Russia ...
Discusses expanding security ties, trade and investment
President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Moscow and Beijing in late December to talk about expanding cooperation with the Kazakhstan's two largest neighbors in such areas as security cooperation, trade and investment, as well as broadening cultural and social ties.
Presidents Nazarbayev and Putin held talks in Moscow and agreed to strengthen political and economic cooperation within the framework of multilateral forums such as the CIS Collective Security Treaty and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. They also decided to expand further bilateral trade, economic and cultural relations and agreed to make 2003 the Year of Kazakhstan in Russia, designed to boost scientific, educational and cultural ties between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters after the meetings on December 18 and 19, President Nazarbayev called 2002 a "breakthrough year" for bilateral relations referring to progress in such areas as the division of the northern Caspian Sea, agreements on the long-term transit of Kazakhstan's oil through Russia. He added that next year should witness the further development of ties in energy, transportation, and the metals industry, as well as the final delimitation of Kazakhstan's 7,500-kilometer border with Russia.
The President also said Kazakhstan would be willing to consider a Russian request to extend its lease on the Baikonur Cosmodrome for up to 50 years. Russia currently has a 20-year $115-million-a-year lease due to expire in 2014. Kazakhstan hopes for "larger financing and active involvement in all space studies and launches from the Kazakh spaceport at Baikonur," Mr. Nazarbayev said.
... and China
The Kazakhstan President's visit to China on December 22 through 25 led to the significant expansion of political, trade and economic ties.
While in Beijing, President Nazarbayev held talks with Jiang Zemin, Communist Party Secretary General Hu Zintao, Prime Minister Zhu Rongji and other officials.
The important subject of conversations was the continuity of good bilateral relations against the backdrop of the ascension of new Chinese leaders of next generations.
"The frank discussions I had with Hu Zintao confirm that there will be a continuity of generations in China and the continuity of friendship and cooperation with Kazakhstan," President Nazarbayev said at the news conference in Beijing after the talks on December 25.
The meetings in Beijing resulted in signing of a total of 10 bilateral agreements, including the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Good Neighborliness. While the two nations declared their commitment to friendship in the past, this new 20-year treaty is the first major legal document of that kind in their relations, which made President Nazarbayev call it a "historic" one.
Among other documents signed are agreements on the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, on the prevention of dangerous military activity, as well as agreements on transportation means, air and rail connections, communications and trade between regions.
At the news conference, President Nazarbayev said the Chinese leaders confirmed their readiness to build oil and gas pipelines from Kazakhstan to the western regions of China.
He also declared that Kazakhstan is going to preside in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization next year and is to host the organization's summit in mid-2003. The group, including China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan, aims to develop closer cooperation in ensuring security, fighting terrorism, and trade and development.
During the visit Kazakhstan and Chinese companies signed a number of trade and investment deals worth the record $660 million. The bilateral trade turnover reached $1.7 billion in 2002, making Kazakhstan the second largest trading partner for China in the CIS.
President signs new laws on electronic document and signature
Steps moving Kazakhstan toward e-economy
President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed laws on electronic document and signature on January 7.
The law takes Kazakhstan one more step down the road of establishing a modern e-government and creating better conditions for businesses. The laws specifically make it possible to use electronic signatures while concluding deals. Special codes will be used to ensure the technical security of electronic documents. The "open key" will be needed to certify the electronic signature, while the "closed key" will protect the signature itself. Special-task centers will be set up to register "open" and "closed" keys for security purposes.
Economy forecast to grow 6% in 2003
Kazakhstan's GDP is expected to grow 6% in 2003. Industrial output will grow 8%, farm output 2.8% and capital investments 15%, the government and the National Bank said in a joint statement on economic and social policy and economic forecast for 2003.
Inflation of not more than 5.9% is being targeted. Exports are forecast at $10.166 billion and imports $8.24 billion. Gold and foreign exchange reserves, which were $2.981 billion on December 18, 2002 should increase 11.5% during 2003 to $3.355 billion.
Oil and gas will be the main providers of economic growth, the statement says. And the monetary policy aims to keep average inflation for the year at 4%-6%.
The economy grew by an estimated 9.4% in 2002, 13.2 percent in 2001 and 9.8 percent in 2000.
Dec. 28 by-election results certified
The Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan certified the results of the by-elections in three constituencies for Majilis (Lower House of the Parliament) seats held on December 28.
In its January 3 resolution, the Commission validated the elections and provided data on voter turnouts, vote breakdowns for each candidate in election in Atyrau (west), Karaganda (center) and Pavlodar (north) regions of the country, and announced winners.
Average voter turnout was 48.7%, with Atyrau voters being the most numerous at 68% and Pavlodar's second at just above 50%, the Commission said, adding that 29% of voters turned out to vote in Karaganda.
A total of 14 candidates contested the seats made vacant by incumbents in the fall of 2002.
In Atyrau, a local district akim and a member of the Otan (Motherland) Party defeated an opposition Republican National Party candidate by a margin of 84% to 12%. Out of the field of 5 contestants in Karaganda, the winner, with 51% of the vote, was the republic's Senate professional staff member. Mr. Bulat Abilov, cochairman of the opposition Ak Zhol party, and Nikolai Usatov, of the pro-government Otan party, were disqualified from running for violating the Law on elections in the course of their campaigns.
Pavlodar election where a total of 7 candidates ran highly competitive campaigns became the most hotly contested and closely watched by a corps of 700 national and international observers.
The main contest was between the centrist Civic Party's Vasilii Maksimonko, shop superintendent at a local aluminum plant, and Karlygash Zhakiyanova of opposition Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, wife of former regional governor convicted on charges of abuse of office in 2002. Though Mrs. Zhakiyanova complained she was being refused venues for staging rallies, nonetheless she barred reporters from attending a rally in a duly provided hall, which caused a major public outcry. According to the legal regulations, any citizen has the constitutional right to attend public meetings of any candidate.
In the end, Mr. Maksimonko, a Ukranian by birth who campaigned on a pro-business platform, won the seat with 51 percent of the vote, while Mrs. Zhakiyanova came second with 33 percent.
The newly elected deputies were sworn in at a January 8 session of the Majilis.
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News Bulletin of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
(Compiled from own sources and various agencies' reports)
Contact persons: Roman Vassilenko, Aibek Nurbalin
Tel.: (202) 232- 5488 ext. 104, 115, Fax: (202) 232- 5845
