Kazakhstan and Yakutia Forge Stronger Ties: New Collaborations on the Horizon
Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Yakutia has significantly intensified in recent years.
On September 9, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Aisen Nikolaev, head of the Sakha Republic, met to discuss future areas of collaboration, TuraNews.kz report citing primeminister.kz.
Deputy Prime Minister Zhumangarin expressed satisfaction with the growing ties between Kazakhstan and Yakutia, highlighting the impact of the Sakha Republic Days held in Astana and Almaty in April. He also noted the Sakha Republic’s role in enhancing Kazakh-Russian trade relations. In 2023, trade between Kazakhstan and Yakutia nearly doubled to over $160 million, compared to $78.5 million in 2022. Exports from Kazakhstan to Yakutia surged by 68.6 times, reaching $160.7 million, while imports from Yakutia to Kazakhstan were $53.2 thousand, up from $76.2 million in 2022.
The meeting underscored that there are still untapped opportunities for increasing mutual trade. Zhumangarin proposed exploring cooperation in agriculture, suggesting the supply of confectionery, pasta, chocolate, meat, dairy products, vegetable oils, fruits, and vegetables to Yakutia. He also recommended considering participation in a copper processing project as part of Kazakhstan’s efforts to advance mineral raw material processing.
Aisen Nikolaev highlighted the rapid progress in socio-economic cooperation between the two regions. Emphasizing the shared Turkic roots and cultural heritage of their peoples, Nikolaev proposed establishing an art space in Kazakhstan to showcase Yakutia’s cultural achievements, including jewelry, bone carving, and fine arts. This proposed space would serve as a venue for cultural and international events, reflecting Yakutia’s creative legacy.
Nikolaev expressed hope that, with support from Kazakhstan, this art space could be developed, building on Yakutia’s successful experience in creating similar cultural venues.
