Toqayev Ratifies U.S. Land Lease Deal for Consulate in Almaty

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev has signed a law ratifying an agreement with the United States that grants the U.S. a long-term lease on a plot of land in Almaty for a period of 49 years, Orda.kz reports.

The land, covering more than 70,000 square meters, will be used to build a new U.S. Consulate General. The site will also house offices for the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Commercial Service.

According to the agreement, the U.S. will make a one-time payment of $25.3 million. The plot is located in one of Almaty's most prestigious districts, where building height restrictions apply.

A statement from Aqorda noted:

The Head of State signed the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On the ratification of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the United States of America on the provision of a land plot for lease for the construction of U.S. consular premises in Almaty.’

Under the terms of the agreement, the United States is exempt from paying taxes and fees. It will also cover all costs related to the construction, maintenance, operation of the facilities, and utility services.

In a separate move, President Tokayev also ratified amendments to the agreement between Kazakhstan’s government and the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), originally signed on June 26, 2007, which outlines the Secretariat’s conditions of stay in Kazakhstan.

Original Author: Rustam Muratov