Since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the start of Western anti-Russian sanctions, Kazakhstan has faced the dilemma of "nowhere to escape". As 7 months ago, the Kazakh authorities have to think about: how to fulfill their strategic partnership obligations with Russia within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization , while avoiding becoming the second level of the US and EU Victims of sanctions.
Source: zanmedia.kz
You should recall the contradictory statement made by the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of Kazakhstan, Timur Suleimenov, during his visit to Brussels: he pledged that Kazakhstan would comply with The sanctions imposed on Russia also underscore the country's intention to continue trade with the Russian Federation, to invest in Russia and to attract Russian investment to Kazakhstan.
Many observers say Suleimenov said this so that all parties (West and Russia) could hear what they wanted to hear. However, that has not dampened criticism of his remarks by Russian commentators and some experts.
Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Mukhtar Trevuberd also mentioned in his speech at the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions: "Kazakhstan is not subject to secondary sanctions, we have established a working group to Prevent the negative impact of anti-Russian sanctions on our economy, including preventing secondary sanctions.”
The reaction on Russian social networks and mass media was again reminiscent of the sharp criticism that emerged this spring. Some headlines were rhetoric: "Washington takes control of Astana "; "Irreversible consequences"; Kazakhstan creates obstacles for Russian transporters...
On the other hand, as a relatively small population, A country with a fragile raw material economy, Kazakhstan may be afraid of the devastating consequences of secondary sanctions.
Centras Group Holding Company President Elda Abdullazakov said recently in assessing the unemployment situation in Kazakhstan: "The majority of our economy is unproductive employment, the raw materials sector provides employment for only 3% of the population. We There is a lot of structural unemployment (the structural characteristics of the labor market do not match society’s demand for labor), and out of a workforce of 9 million, only 1 million are employed in the more efficient and upper-middle sectors of the economy.”
Even if Such a short description can also fully explain what effect secondary sanctions will have on Kazakhstan's economy.
Putin announced the mobilization and brought an immigration boom: Kazakhstan began to conduct border exercises .
On September 22, there was a long queue of people waiting for entry at the Kazakhstan-Russia Highway Port in Siha State. Source: rus.azattyq
On the social network, many people are posting pictures of traffic jams at the port of entry. Many also linked airfare prices and border congestion to Putin's mobilization order.
Of course, both central and local governments in Kazakhstan responded quickly, as if the Kazakh authorities had anticipated this situation in advance. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, more than 1.6 million Russian citizens have entered Kazakhstan since the beginning of 2022. And it seems no coincidence that a territorial defense-themed exercise started at in the state of Kostanay, which borders Russia, the day before Putin's announcement of the partial mobilization. According to the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan, during the exercise, an interdepartmental coordination plan was developed and the state of readiness for the mobilization of the defense sector was checked.
Watching the influx of Russian citizens, some Kazakhs are worried purely for life reasons: if the experts from big companies came before, will some criminals come in now...
But , experts believe that although many people do not want to join the army, but the possibility of breaking the law is unlikely. The fact that Russia has increased penalties for military evasion may lead toSentenced to 10 years in prison. In addition, Russia may tighten control over border crossings and will not allow male citizens of conscription age to leave the country at all.
As a precaution, the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan has also strengthened the inspection on whether foreign citizens in Kazakhstan abide by the residency regulations.
"32,000 Russian citizens who entered the country were arrested for violating immigration laws, accounting for only 0.2% of the total. This shows to a certain extent that they are complying with relevant laws and regulations in Kazakhstan," Kazakhstan Immigration Service Commission Acting Chairman Aslan Atalikov said. According to him, any situation related to illegal border crossing, violation of the provisions of submitting residence registration documents in the country, will be stopped in accordance with Kazakhstan law.”
About 100 companies have requested to relocate from Russia to Kazakhstan
The sanctions against Russia continue Upgrades are not all "bad things" for Kazakhstan. This summer, President Tokayev instructed the government to create favorable conditions for overseas companies that have left the Russian market and relocated to Kazakhstan.
Source: news.myseldon
"Recently Every second, more than 1,000 large foreign companies have suspended operations or completely left the Russian market. The government should create favorable conditions for them to move to Kazakhstan, which will provide us with a good opportunity to increase the production of mid-to-high-end products. "President Tokayev previously said at a government meeting.
President Tokayev's order is being implemented. In Kazakhstan, there are more than a thousand IT specialists were assisted. In addition, the relocation of foreign companies was actively supported. According to the Ministry, video game production company Rlaurich, "Tinkoff" online bank, Nexters video game production company, InDriver passenger service, St. Petersburg stock exchange, Red Mad Robot software Development companies, etc. have been relocated to Kazakhstan. In addition, recently, according to Sagintayev, a member of the board of directors of the Eurasian Economic Commission from Kazakhstan, more than 100 companies have applied for relocation of offices or production. According to him, this pair of It is beneficial for Kazakhstan, which has opened up new channels for Kazakhstan's exports. Goods that were not previously exported to Russia, including smartphones, can now be exported. In the context of Russian sanctions, the main danger to Kazakhstan’s banking system is that Kazakhstan will be cut off from external global payments. "Sayakmantova, chairman of the board of the Kazakh National Savings Bank.
"Representatives of foreign banks came to check whether Kazakh banks are complying with anti-Russian sanctions." For example, correspondent banks also examine other banking systems. "Sayakmantova said.
The sanctions that apply to Russia and Russian companies, legal entities and individuals will not apply to Kazakhstan, but if they just close correspondent accounts in our Kazakh banks, it is very dangerous.
This means Kazakhstan will be cut off from all outgoing payments. We are now seeing that imports from Russia are falling, and conversely, imports and exports from other countries are growing. "Kazakhstan is replacing Russian shipments to Turkey , South Korea, China, Europe and other countries. Therefore, maintaining the stability of the banking system, the availability of foreign correspondent accounts and the ability to make foreign payments is crucial for Kazakhstan. Important.”
Source: news.myseldon
On September 21, Kazakhstan banks refused to serve the Russian “World” bank card. A survey of eight of Kazakhstan's largest banks, including Jusan Bank, Alfa Bank, Nurbank and Bank Center Credit, found that all Kazakh banks, without exception, had stopped serving them.
Russian authorities are known to have responded by promoting Russian "world" bank cards as an alternative when international payment systems (visa and MasterCard first) refused to serve Russians abroad after the start of the special military operation Ukraine Global anti-Russian sanctions regime.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Savings Bank of Kazakhstan also said that it will abide by international rules, international sanctions, , and international regulatory systems, and must maintain the stability of Kazakhstan's banking system, so that it will not be easily cut off from global external payments. "
This article was first published in the Russian version of the 176th issue of the "Silk Road Today" newspaper in Kazakhstan. Author Ma Shangluo translated Xiang Jing Xiao Yi
For more Kazakhstan information, please pay attention to the Silk Road New Observation WeChat public account.
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