To discover amazing traditions, enchanting nature, subtle intertwinement of ancient and contemporary, you must explore Kazakhstan. Known for its hospitality and warm reception, this country in the heart of Eurasia is the perfect travel destination.
Historically inhabited by nomadic groups and empires, the territory of Kazakhstan was a key part of the Eurasian Trade Steppe Route, the ancestor of the vital Silk Road. Archaeologists believe that Kazakhs were the first to domesticate horses and create protective armor for the horse and the rider from armor plates. The word “Kazakh,” in translation from the ancient Turkic language, means “wanderer, warrior, free, independent.”
A proud descendant of numerous prominent nomadic civilizations of the Great Steppe, today, Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and the 9th largest country in the world. Its location, nomadic heritage, and the Great Silk Road’s commercial history have guided the multi-vector foreign policy and economic diplomacy of the country. Kazakhstan is an active member of the world economic and political arena. It is the most economically developed and politically stable country in the region. More than 100 ethnic groups and diverse confessions live in peace and harmony, making Kazakhstan a safe destination for business and tourism activities.
The country is a place that tourists will love and want to return again, as it is impossible to fit exploring the place into a single visit. Undoubtedly, tourists who have visited generous and beautiful Kazakhstan acknowledge incredible views of mountains, steppe, deserts, and lakes next to the modern cities. It is also famous for its gardens and vineyards. The historic homeland of apples and tulips, Kazakhstan has the world’s original oldest apple tree – the Sievers tree. More than 3,000 varieties of cultivated tulips around the world are mostly descendants of local flowers.
The capital Nur-Sultan, located in the windswept northern steppe, has turned into a masterpiece of the 21st century with an abundance of bold futuristic architecture. While Almaty, the largest city, can be compared with the most prominent cities in Europe with its leafy avenues, parks and museums, skiing resort, the highest located ice-skating rink in the world, glossy shopping centers and hedonistic nightlife.
It is beyond the cities that the greatest tourist adventures await, whether hiking in the high mountains and green valleys of the Tian Shan, searching for wildlife on the lake-dotted steppe, enjoying homespun hospitality in village guesthouses, or jolting across the western deserts to remote underground mosques.
In 2021, Kazakhstan celebrates the 30th anniversary of the proclamation of independence on December 16, 1991. In a short period of time, Kazakhstan became the most successful post-Soviet Republic to make a transition from a centralized economy to a free market. Since independence, GDP per capita in Kazakhstan has increased 20-fold. Kazakhstan ranked third out of the 25 most dynamically developing economies of the first decade of the 21st century. Its significant oil, gas and mineral resources, including the second largest Uranium deposit in the world, have supported its economy, paving the way for further growth.
At the moment, Kazakhstan has emerged as an important player in the global economy and an attractive investment destination. Kazakhstan attracted more than 330 billion USD of foreign investment, accounting for nearly 70% of the total volume of foreign investments in Central Asia. It is planned to turn the country into the largest business and transit hub in the region. To diversify its economy, Kazakhstan offers extensive opportunities in various sectors, including agriculture, petrochemicals, metallurgy, tourism, and pharmaceuticals.
Bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan are close partners with proven strong cooperation and mutual interests in diplomacy. On December 30, 1991, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was among the first Arab and Muslim countries to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence. On April 30, 1994, official diplomatic relations between the two countries were established. The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Riyadh was opened on December 13, 1995. In March 1997, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Kazakhstan was inaugurated in Kazakhstan.
The visit of the first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, to Saudi Arabia (1994) marked the beginning of an important stage in developing bilateral relations and their advancement. Political dialogue at a high level is essential for constructive cooperation. As a result of the negotiations, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan signed the General Agreement on Cooperation in the Trade, Economic, Investment, Technical and Cultural Spheres, and the Fields of Sports and Youth Affairs.
In 1999, the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Cultural and Humanitarian, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was established. The parties have held four meetings; the fifth meeting is scheduled for 2021. In 2000, the visit of H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz (then the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation) to Kazakhstan contributed to the strengthening of the bilateral ties.
In March 2004, President Nazarbayev visited Saudi Arabia for the second time. During this visit, the President met with the late King Abdullah (then Crown Prince) and H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz (then the Second Deputy Prime Minister) and other Saudi officials.
During the third visit of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Saudi Arabia (2016) and meetings with King Salman, the leaders discussed bilateral cooperation prospects in trade, economic, political, cultural, and humanitarian fields. Several agreements on legal assistance, nuclear energy, and agriculture were signed. A factual legal base has been created between the two countries, including 27 documents.
Trade and economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan have been progressively developing within six business forums between Saudi and Kazakh entrepreneurs, who envision creating a Kazakh-Saudi Business Council. The Council will stimulate the two countries’ business communities to develop trade, economic, and investment cooperation.
Saudi Vision 2030 is consistent with the Strategy Kazakhstan-2050, which aims to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on raw materials, and enter the list of leading developed countries. At the multilateral level of collaboration, the two countries support each other’s initiatives within the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international organizations.
On March 30, 2019, King Salman held a phone conversation with the newly elected President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and congratulated the Head of Kazakhstan on taking office. In turn, President Tokayev assured that he would continue the course towards strengthening mutually beneficial relations.
In addition to political, diplomatic, and business cooperation, vibrant cultural and humanitarian cooperation has been established. Thus, in 2009-2010, Cultural Days of Kazakhstan in Saudi Arabia and Saudi Cultural Days in Kazakhstan were organized. Every year more than tens of thousands of Kazakh citizens visit Mecca and Medina to perform Hajj and Umrah. The Saudi-Kazakh partnership is based on common cultures, traditions, and spiritual values.
Where To Go
Almaty, the homeland of apples, is a city framed by snowcapped mountains covered with spruces creating stunning scenery year-round. A world-class ski resort, coupled with a rich gastronomic setting and vibrant nightlife, makes Almaty the best skiing destination in the world.
Baikonur Spaceport is the world’s first and largest operational space facility. Founded in the 1950s, Baikonur is the place from where the first human spaceflight was launched.
Turkestan has many ancient cities and ruins to explore the past of the Great Silk Road, and mountaineering opportunities in the Western Tien-Shan mountains.
Burabay offers numerous wildlife and camping opportunities, with over 14 lakes, surrounded by mountains and evergreen forest.
Charyn Canyon is one of the oldest and biggest canyons in the world. You can find the relic Ash Tree Grove here, which survived the Ice Age.
What To Do
Horse riding across the endless steppes in Eastern Kazakhstan. Recreate this fantasy and you can feel as if you are living the life of a nomad in Kazakhstan and explore the mysterious Altai Mountains.
The first and most authentic way to experience the life of the nomads is an opportunity to live in the classical home of the nomads, known as “yurt” in Central Asia.
Take a dive into the life of the nomad and get connected to their culture by attending nomadic ethno-festivals that take place in improvised ethno-villages in Kazakhstan.
Get ready for the important task of “feeling like a nomad” by testing the body’s ability to consume large amounts of tasty meat in various traditional dishes such as Beshbarmak, Kuyrdak, and Sirne.
Explore Nur-Sultan. Visit the largest tent-roofed shopping center of the nomadic style Khan-Shatyr, Independence Square, Nurzhol boulevard, Bayterek Tower, parks and museums. Take a selfie in front of the Ak Orda Presidential Palace and other interesting sights and skyscrapers of Nur-Sultan.
Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Diplomatic Quarter
6691 Amr Aldamri St, Al Safarat,
Riyadh 12511 Saudi Arabia
Contact No: 011 480 6406
