Kazakhstan said Tuesday it had lifted visa requirements for citizens of the European Union, OECD countries and a number of other states in a bid to boost investment and tourism. The move, which follows a similar measure by neighbouring Uzbekistan, comes as Central Asia's largest economy has been battered by low oil prices and financial distress in neighbouring Russia.

The foreign ministry in Astana said that starting January 1, citizens of EU and OECD countries, as well as Malaysia, Monaco, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, could travel to Kazakhstan for up to 30 days without a visa. The initiative was meant to "promote an even more favourable investment climate" and "develop the country's tourism potential", the ministry said in a statement. "The move will open up additional opportunities to the business community for co-operation with the outside world and facilitate international contacts in different spheres".

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2017