Kazakhstan, Iran studying ways to boost INSTC cooperation: Envoy
Astana and Tehran are studying ways to boost the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) cooperation with an eye on Iranian northern and southern ports, said Kazakh Ambassador to Iran Askhat Orazbay.
Speaking at a press conference on the comprehensive economic reforms in a state-of-the-nation address of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the envoy noted the Kazakh leader has plans to establish the Central Asian country as a major transit hub in Eurasia, focusing on key routes like the Trans-Caspian corridor and the INSTC.
The Kazakh diplomat emphasized that the capacities of the INSTC should be used more, and added that logistics transportation between Iran and Kazakhstan is a big program, as Iran will connect Kazakhstan to third countries through the Persian Gulf.
Referring to the state-of-the-nation address by Tokayev, the ambassador said the Kazakh leader has acknowledged several significant achievements in the past few years, including the doubling of salaries for teachers since 2020, significant salary increases for doctors, and the implementation of initiatives like the “National Fund for Children,” and the construction of over 300 health care facilities in rural areas.
Tokayev also has indicated an ambitious vision for Kazakhstan to become an IT-focused country, as he stated, “We are among the world leaders in the e-government and fintech development index.”
The Kazakh president directed the government to increase the export of IT services to $1 billion by 2026, saying that this will be facilitated by partnerships with major foreign IT companies.
The address also focused on developing the agricultural sector, gasification, addressing water security, Orazbay said.
Pointing to the rising trend of Tehran-Astana relations, the ambassador announced the official invitation of Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi to visit Astana, saying, “The invitation has been accepted by the Iranian side, but the time has not been determined yet.”