On the first day of the SCO summit, the PRC and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MDDIAI) signed a number of important documents.
As announced on his Facebook page by the head of the department, Zhaslan Madiyev, one of these was the Agreement on Technical and Economic Cooperation, under which China will provide Kazakhstan with a grant of 100 million yuan (approximately 6.4 billion tenge) on a non-repayable basis for the development of the space industry.
“In furtherance of this agreement between our state bodies, a Memorandum of Understanding on the promotion of high-tech projects was also signed, which will determine the direction for using the grant for Kazakhstan’s space activities. The projects are currently under discussion.”, the statement reads.
The minister said that this funding will be used to develop computational astronomy and modelling in the field of astrophysical research at our scientific institutes, together with specialists from China, to strengthen the scientific and technical infrastructure, to exchange experience and knowledge, and to provide training and internships at production sites in the PRC.
At the same time, cooperation is planned in the process of creating and operating the International Lunar Research Station.
“Thanks to this, our specialists will gain competencies and experience in the application of high technologies in the field of deep space exploration. In particular, Ғalam LLP and the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute LLP plan to conduct research on the development of a domestic near-lunar telescope.”, Madiyev said.
Furthermore, the MDDIAI plans to attract investment for the implementation of joint projects and the development of cooperation in space activities under the signed memorandum with the Chinese company Deep Blue Industry Co., LTD, and to develop a partnership in the IT sphere with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the PRC.
“It is expected to improve the exchange of best practices and technologies, raise the level of training for IT specialists, and develop innovative solutions in key areas such as big data and the Internet of Things.”, the minister concluded.