Kazakhstan and Firebird sign $10 billion AI infrastructure agreement with Nvidia support.

According to recent developments, including Kazakhstan's signing of an artificial intelligence infrastructure project agreement with US company Firebird Inc. valued at up to $10 billion, Iran providing port infrastructure to Kazakhstan to support global trade, and the Energy Ministry signing a new memorandum of understanding with the National Geological Survey and Shell Kazakhstan regarding oil and gas data analysis, the Kazakh News Agency hereby presents its weekly summary of foreign media reports.

According to Bloomberg, Kazakhstan has signed an artificial intelligence infrastructure project agreement with US company Firebird Inc., which could attract investment of up to $10 billion, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry stated.

The agreement includes a strategic cooperation agreement on AI infrastructure development and terms of a planned data center valley project in northeastern Kazakhstan.

The first phase provides $5 billion in investment, of which $1 billion comes from KazakhTelecom, with commercial operations of the 125-megawatt facility expected to begin in 2027. The second phase could bring an additional $5 billion in investment.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov stated that the project aims to create a "global digital infrastructure hosting platform."

Deputy Prime Minister Zaslan Madiyev stated that the project is expected to generate at least $3 billion in export revenues annually and strengthen Kazakhstan's position as "one of Eurasia's major digital hubs."

The planned computing cluster will be powered by 100,000 next-generation Nvidia GPU chips.

According to Euronews, approximately 150 pilots from 33 countries have gathered in Kazakhstan's Zhеtysu region to participate in Central Asia's first-ever paragliding world cup. The competition will run through June 28 and combines elite aerial sports with spectacular mountain scenery.

Organizers hope the event will enhance the region's international reputation, showcasing its world-class flying conditions, natural beauty, and growing appeal as an adventure tourism destination.

According to Central Asia Times, Iran has prepared to provide port infrastructure access to Kazakhstan to support cargo shipments to global markets, Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh stated during negotiations in Astana with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumagali.

The two sides discussed the development of the international North-South transport corridor, port infrastructure, and trade cooperation.

Iran confirmed that it has completed procedures to allocate land to Kazakhstan at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas. Tehran also offered Kazakhstan the opportunity to operate at Chabahar Port, which serves as a strategic hub for access to South and Southeast Asian markets.

"Strengthening cooperation is a strategic task set by our two countries' national leaders," Zhumagali stated.

According to him, trade between Kazakhstan and Iran grew by 26.4% in 2025, reaching $430.2 million.

Officials noted that cargo volumes on the North-South corridor grew by 12% in 2025, reaching 3.5 million tons.

Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry, National Geological Survey, and Shell Kazakhstan have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding research and analysis of oil and gas data, the ministry stated, according to Trend news agency.

The agreement focuses on the exchange of international expertise, digitization of geological archive information, and expert training. A pilot project will also be launched to develop an earth information system for processing and interpreting historical geological data.

"Improving the efficiency of geological exploration is a priority, including the active introduction of digital technologies and modern geological data management methods," Deputy Energy Minister Yerlan Akbarov stated.

Shell Kazakhstan Chairman Susanna Kugen stated that the project "confirms Shell's commitment to long-term cooperation with the Republic of Kazakhstan."

The company noted that advanced technology and global expertise can help improve the efficiency of oil and gas exploration in Kazakhstan.

According to Muslim World Network television, recent discoveries at the Karakabak archaeological site in Kazakhstan's Mangystau region indicate that the site was a major trade and transport hub connecting Central Asia, the Caspian region, and Eastern Europe.

The settlement, located on the Caspian coast and dating back to the 1st to 6th centuries AD, has been studied by the Margulan Archaeological Research Institute since 2022.

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of metallurgy, jewelry manufacturing, glass production, and pottery manufacturing, as well as imported goods from across the Eurasian continent.

"Particularly noteworthy for scientific interest is a collection containing more than 150 coins, dating from the 1st century AD to the first half of the 6th century AD," archaeologist Andrei Astafyev stated.

These coins originate from Parthia, ancient Khorezm, Sassanid Persia, the Byzantine Empire, and China, confirming Karakabak's position in international trade networks.

Researchers believe that a branch of the Silk Road may have passed through Mangystau, connecting the East and West of the Eurasian continent.