Key Minerals of Kazakhstan: The EU to Build a Critical Raw Materials Laboratory in Kazakhstan

Kazakhtelegraph News — At a recent meeting, Ambassador Aljka Šinkič of the European Union Mission to Kazakhstan stated that during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Brussels, productive talks were held with European business representatives interested in operating in Kazakhstan, resulting in significant economic cooperation achievements, including the project to establish a critical raw materials laboratory.

Šinkič said at a press briefing that participants in the business forum and roundtable discussions were primarily European enterprise representatives already operating in Kazakhstan or those who have signed cooperation agreements with Kazakh authorities.

She emphasized that one of the most important outcomes of her visit was the signing of agreements related to the establishment of the critical raw materials laboratory. This initiative was initially proposed by President Tokayev at the Samarkand Summit, aiming to enable Kazakhstan not only to develop and export critical raw materials but also to conduct relevant research and analysis domestically, thereby enhancing the added value of its resources.

She explained that in Brussels, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) had signed an agreement with Bureau Veritas, a French global inspection and certification company, regarding this project. According to the agreement, Bureau Veritas will be responsible for preparing a feasibility study for the laboratory construction, identifying the optimal site and construction model, and completing all preparatory work required before project commencement.

Šinkič also noted that several additional economic cooperation agreements were signed during the talks in Brussels. Among them, the largest agreement is a deal with Airbus for the potential purchase of up to 50 aircraft. Additionally, Kazakhstan has signed a €150 million loan agreement with the European Investment Bank to upgrade road infrastructure, supporting the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor—particularly focusing on improving key highway sections in southwestern Kazakhstan that connect Central Asian countries with the Trans-Caspian transport route.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869708701663242/

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