Kazakh Senate Approves U.S. Land Lease for New Consulate in Almaty

The Senate of Kazakhstan has approved a law allowing the United States to lease land in Almaty for a new Consulate General building, reports Orda.kz.

The agreement was signed on September 27, 2024, in New York.

It grants the U.S. a 49-year lease on a plot of about 70,000 square meters. The United States will pay Kazakhstan over $25 million in a single payment within 30 days of the law’s enactment.

The U.S. is exempt from taxes, customs duties, and construction permits. It will cover all costs related to construction, maintenance, and utilities. Offices for the Department of Commerce, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. Commercial Service are also planned to be established on the site.

The consulate is expected to become the largest U.S. visa center in Central Asia. The Senate raised no objections and recommended approval.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov