Kazakhstan Produces and Processes 21 of the EU’s 34 Critical Raw Materials

Images | Depositphotos

From 1 July, we expect the average price of commodity gas to increase by 33%. This is necessary to ensure the timely and reliable passage of the heating season and to modernise gas infrastructure. At the same time, we do not expect a sharp increase in prices for households," the deputy minister said.

I would like to emphasise that this reduction in production has had no impact on gas supplies to the population, as the national operator, QazaqGaz, has met domestic demand through transit gas flows," he added.

Kazakhstan was among the first countries to submit a bid to host the 2028 conference. On May 26, during IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s visit to Astana, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency Almassadam Satkaliyev handed over the relevant letter. We received confirmation nearly two weeks ago that the IAEA will hold the event in Almaty, naturally with the Institute of Nuclear Physics serving as one of the host venues," Sakhiev said.

We expect prominent scientists, specialists and experts in research reactors from all over the world. By that time, we hope to have made a decision on our new research reactor. We will once again present our plans and seek the opinions of the world’s experts on whether we have chosen the right reactor," he said.

In the future, it should serve not only fundamental and applied science but also the production of radiopharmaceuticals. Potentially, it could even support the manufacture of microchips and semiconductors in Kazakhstan," Sakhiev added.

Over the next three to four years, we will apply to the IAEA to extend the reactor’s operational lifespan by another 10 to 15 years. If we secure such an extension in 2030, it would allow the reactor to operate until 2040-2045. What happens after that will depend on future developments," Sakhiev said.

If a second research reactor is built, we will be able to distribute this workload and avoid interruptions," he said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the initiative and confirmed Kazakhstan's readiness to provide the necessary support," the statement said.

We do not include the quasi-public sector in these calculations. Kazakhstan’s sovereign government debt stands at $17 billion, or 4.5% of GDP. This is significantly lower than in neighbouring countries," Takiyev said.

We spend 3.5 trillion tenge on debt servicing. However, through diversification of our debt portfolio, we have already saved 115 billion tenge this year," he said.

These are obligations between business entities. They borrow independently and repay independently. The state has not provided guarantees for these loans," he said.

The government may provide guarantees, for example, for road rehabilitation projects. But the amount involved is only about 2 trillion tenge. We bear no responsibility for all other debts," the minister explained.