In the centre of the composition is a depiction of the Baiterek Tower, a monumental structure representing the ‘tree of life’ with a large ‘egg’ nestling in its branches. The monument is situated in the centre of Astana and it has come to represent the thrusting ambitions of the capital and the country itself.

Inside the rendering of the egg, is the ‘shanirak’ - a cruciform motif that represents the top of a yurt (the traditional tent-like dwelling of nomadic Kazakhs). The fusion of these two motifs symbolizes the future and the past – and indicates the future direction of modern Kazakhstan, a 21st century power built on a rich and ancient heritage and culture.

At the base of the Baiterek motif, there is a decoration symbolizing ‘birds wings’ which refers to the mythical sacred bird Samruk, which is associated with freedom and happiness (in Kazakh mythology, the Samruk lays its golden egg in the Baiterek or poplar tree and when the Samruk flies away, a snake eats the egg… The bird returns a year later, lays another, and the snake eats it and so on... ). Like the legend of the phoenix, the tale of the Samruk is a regeneration myth that suits Kazakhstan well.

Surrounding the Baiterek/shanirak and Samruk, the ‘blue sky’ background reflects the peace loving nature of Kazakhstan and the red ring that encircles all the elements refers to the ‘ring of fire’ – in which the ancient Turkic people saw birth, growth and development (the Turkics are a collection of Eurasian peoples residing in northern, central and western Eurasia who speak languages belonging to the Turkic language family).

The new flag for Astana has golden rays emanating from an unseen centre point in the blue sky background behind the centre area of the flag which is identical to the coat of arms (as described).

         Both the new coat of arms and flag for Astana have been enthusiastically welcomed by Kazakhstan’s President, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Astana, June 16:- Kazakhstan’s State Agency for Statistics reported that 24,297.4 thousand tons of crude and 5,430.7 thousand tons of gas condensate were produced in the central Asian republic between January and May 2008 - which is 7.2% and 4.2% (respectively) up on the same period last year.

During the period under review, 14,450.5 million cubic meters of natural gas was produced (a 16.1% increase) and production of petroleum gas reached 6,128 million cubic meters (a 16.9% increase).

Trunk pipeline turnover constituted 37,116.9 million ton/km (a 2.9% increase) with oil pipelines responsible for 18,550 million. ton/km (a 6.4% increase due to increased shipments to China via the Caspian pipeline) and gas pipelines responsible for 18,566.9 million ton-km (a 0.5% decrease on account of transit of Central Asian and Russian gas).

1,937,254 tons of raw steel has already been produced in Kazakhstan this year (a 0.7% increase on last year). 1,342,770 tons of steel (mill) flat products have been produced (a 4.4% decrease), including 86,725,657 tons of ferro-alloys (a 3,2% increase).

35,867,163.1 thousand kWh of electric energy was produced between January and May (a 7.4% increase) and 45,848.2 thousand tons of coal was produced (a 20.3% increase) during the same period.

3,420 kg of fine gold and 271,168 kg of fine silver has been produced (a 3.5% increase and 13.1% decrease respectively). 700,646 tons of aluminum oxide (a 10.5% increase), 153,434 tons of unprocessed zinc (a 2% decrease) were produced.

The total worth of construction work reached USD 3.7 billion (9% growth), and an increase in construction activity was registered in 11 Oblasts (regions) of the country.

Construction is dominated by building and civil construction – their share in the overall amount made 58.2% (a 10.2% increase).The larger part construction (70.8%) is carried out by private domestic companies (foreign contractors are responsible for 28.7% and state-owned companies – for 0.5%).

         10,691 buildings have been erected already this year (9,258 of them are residential buildings and 1,433 – non-residential). USD 1.6 billion has been invested into housing construction – which is up 12.7% on last year.

Kazakhstan’s foreign trade balance surplus reached USD 11,438.2 million (against USD 4,482.3 million during the same period last year). Foreign trade turnover grew by 41.3% and reached USD 31,593 million, with exports responsible for USD 21,515.6 million (a 60.3% growth) and imports (including transport and insurance costs) responsible for USD 10 077.4 million (a 12.7% increase). CIS member-states’ share in the overall trade turnover made 26.4% (a 0.7% decrease). Foreign trade turnover with CIS member-states reached USD 8,339 million. (37.6% increase), with exports responsible for USD 3,469.1 million (55.6% increase) and imports – for USD 4,869.9 million. (a 27.1% increase).

Foreign trade turnover with other states reached USD 23,254 million (a 42.6% increase), with export responsible for USD 18,046.5 million (a 61.2% increase) and import responsible for USD 5,207.5 million. (a 1.9% increase).

The main consumers of Kazakh products were: Italy (17.2%), Switzerland (15.3%), China (9.1%), Russia (8.3%), France (8%), Netherlands (4.9%), Iran (3.5%), Israel (3.4%), Ukraine (3.2%) and Turkey (2.9%).

The breakdown of products imported into Kazakhstan during the period (Jan-May 2008) was - Russia (39%), China (10%), Germany (6.9%), Ukraine (5.6%), USA (4.9%), Japan (3.5%), Italy (3%), Turkey (2.7%), France (1.9%), UK (1.6%) and Finland (1.6%).

KAZAKH PRESIDENT VISITS JAPAN

         Astana, June 17:- President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan begins an official visit to Japan tomorrow (June 18) - until June 22. The visit includes a meeting with Emperor Akihito, a meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister,Yasui Fukuda, discussions with the House of Representatives Speaker, Yohei Kono, the President of the Japan House of Councilors, Satsuki Eda, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Industry & Trade, Akira Amari, and representatives of Japan’s powerful business elite…

         In addition, there will be several receptions and banquets held to honour President Nazarbayev including events hosted by the Emperor and the Prime Minister. Visits to the Toshiba factory and the magnificent Sengaku-ji Temple - where the 47 masterless samurai from Ako are buried - will also take place.

Documents scheduled to be signed include…

·       A joint statement by the Kazakh President and Japan’s PM concerning political and economic cooperation, peaceful use of nuclear energy, cultural and humanitarian joint projects

·        A memorandum to the draft Convention Between the Republic of Kazakhstan & Japan to Avoid Double Taxation & Prevent Evidence from Revenue-Based Taxes will signify the official finalization of negotiations and a principle agreement to sign the Convention in the near future (upon completion of necessary internal procedures)

·        Memorandum on Cooperation in Expansion of Trade & Investments

·       Memorandum between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport & Communications and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism on the intention to establish a direct air link between the two countries.

This document will define the date (November 2009) when Air Astana commences direct flights between Japan and Kazakhstan (and the date of the start of negotiations to sign the Air Transport Agreement).

         Tokyo’s interest in Kazakhstan is based on Japan’s need of raw materials and energy. Kazakhstan plans to join Japan as one of the 50 most competitive states in the world by 2030, and involving Japanese corporations in advancing Kazakhstan’s technological capacities and helping to diversify the country’s industries is one of the major themes for discussion during the visit. Attracting direct (package) investments instead of the traditional extension of grants and loans will also be discussed (gross inflow of direct investments from Japan to Kazakhstan reached USD 1.3 billion during the period 1993–2006 - and Japan is not yet even among Kazakhstan’s top 10 investors).

Astana may also call for the creationof a joint Kazakh-Japan Investment Fund. 

Development of cooperation with Japanese high-tech companies via purchasing their assets, joint participation in promising new projects and creating Kazakh-Japanese joint ventures in Japan is also on the agenda. Kazakhstan hopes to investinto Japan’s economy though national development institutes and private enterprises.

Eleven Kazakh students are currently studying in prestigious Japanese universities under the BolashakProgram; subjects being studied include state policy, neurosurgery andengineering (three more recipients of Bolashak grants will start their studies in Japan this year).

Astana, 17 June:- Anna Buts, Head of the Farming Department of the Kazakh Agriculture Ministry, has announced that this year Kazakhstan expects to crop 16-17 million tons of grain. “In terms of forecasts – and on the basis of autumn and spring stored moisture and rainfalls – we can expect the harvest of main grain-crops to match those of the last four or five years” she said.

“We expect arid conditions in the southern and eastern region to impact negatively on the crop yield” continued Ms Buts. “However, conditions in the northern and western parts of the country have been favorable... That is why we are expecting the harvest to reach 16-17 million tons this year”.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the overall area under crop in 2008 reached 19.9 million hectares (16.2 million hectares of the overall amount has been devoted to cereal crops, while 13.6 million hectares were devoted to wheat).

In 2007, Kazakhstan’s grain harvest reached a record high; it exceeded 20.1 million tons in net weight, which is a 22% increase on 2006. Wheat harvest in 2007 hit 16.6 million tons, while in 2006 it reached only 13.5 million tons.

BACKGROUND: Kazakhstan is the world's fifth-largest wheat exporter - following the US, Canada, Russia and Argentina.In recent years the global price of wheat, corn and rice has doubled or tripled, with much of the increase taking place in the last few months. There have already been food riots around the world (in Mexico, Haiti, Senegal, Morocco…). Food-supplying countries have been limiting exports in an attempt to protect domestic consumers. On April 15 this year, the Kazakh government imposed a ban on grain exports until September 1, 2008. This decision arose from the need to ensure the country’s food security and protect the domestic market from the negative consequences of inflation of global grain prices and a global deficit of bread grain. The World Bank reports that global food prices rose 83% over the last three years and the Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN cites a 45% increase in their world food price index during the past nine months.

As of March 2008, average world wheat prices were 130% above their level a year ago, soy prices were 87% higher, rice had climbed 74%, and maize was up 31%.

Astana, June 18:- Early next year Kazakhstan will start construction of MotorCity - a racetrack compliant with international standards and capable of hosting international competitions. The facility will cover 169 hectares and will include practically all types of tracks – racing (circuit), drift oval, drag racing, carting, motor-trial and off-road tracks. The MotorCity development will also be equipped with restaurants, bars, a hotel and a lake. The circuit will reach 5452km in maximum length - which makes it one of the longest in the world.

MotorCity will be located 35 km from Almaty (near the town of Talgar). The cost of the project is estimated at USD 300 million and construction will be carried out by the Kazakhstan MotorCity Co.. The company will use its own funds initially and is planning to attract investments later.

The track has been designed by renowned German racetrack architect Hermann Tilke, the creator of Formula-1 circuits in Sepang, Bahrain, Shanghai and Istanbul and the man responsible for the rehabilitation of the Fuji Speedway in Japan. All tracks designed by Tilke – and his company Tilke Engineering - are automatically certified with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

Hosting Formula-1 competitions at MotorCity is not being discussed just now, but plans are afoot to host stages of DTM (the German Touring Car Championship)and MotoGP (a class in the Motorcycle Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix).

The availability of such a racing facility will greatly improve Kazakhstan’s prestige for international sports tourists. And according to Hermann Tilke, investing into a project like MotorCity equals investing in the future. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Transorientale Rally crosses Kazakhstan this month. The brainchild of René Metge, the Transorientale is billed as the biggest car race in the world. It started on June 12 in Russia and passed through Kazakhstan’s capital Astana today (June 18).The rally will  end July 28 at the foot of the Great Wall of China.

UPDATE: KAZAKH PRESIDENT & WORLD BANK PRESIDENT

Astana, June 18: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev met Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank, in Astana yesterday (June 17). Projects jointly implemented by Kazakhstan and the World Bank were discussed. At the start of the meeting Mr. Nazarbayev said that “cooperation with the World Bank has always been at a high level. Since the start of bilateral relations we have received 24 loans totaling more than USD 2 billion for our financial system, public management and social sphere.”

Mr Zoellick emphasized the World Banks interest in working with Kazakhstan - which he described as a reliable and long-term partner: “Kazakhstan attaches great importance to improving the country’s competitiveness and diversification of the economy. This defines the strategy of our partnership and helps us find optimal means of cooperation. The agricultural sector is of special interest. We believe that in the light of the global food crisis Kazakhstan has a unique opportunity to develop its agro-industrial sector. We think highly of Kazakhstan’s efforts to develop its social sector, healthcare and education”, he said.