Berlin hosts annual Economy Day of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The annual Economy Day of Kazakhstan business forum took place in Berlin Feb. 26 at the initiative of Kazakh Ambassador to Germany Bolat Nusupov. The...


KazSat system earned Kazakhstan $15.5 million in 2017

ASTANA – The KazSat national satellite communication system brought $15.5 million in income and replaced $37.2 million worth of imports in 2017 due to the reduced use...


Public figures, regional film industry discuss gender equality during FemAgora week in Almaty

ASTANA – Prominent public figures and members of the film industry from around Central Asia gathered March 8-10 in Almaty to discuss gender issues during FemAgora gender...


Astana launches pilot project to provide fee-based school buses for first time

ASTANA – Astana recently moved closer to providing for the first time transportation for its schoolchildren with the March 5 launching of the Mektep (School) Bus pilot...


Atameken focuses on integrating digital technologies as corruption-fighting measure

ASTANA – The Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and civil service and anti-corruption agency will focus on integrating digital technologies as a corruption-fighting measure, according to a...


Kazakhtelecom builds largest Internet of Things network in CIS

ASTANA – Kazakhtelecom has completed the first stage to build the largest M2M/Internet of Things (IoT) network utilising LORA, Zigbee and LTE technologies in the Commonwealth of...


Astana adds 18,000 hectares to city limits

ASTANA – Astana Maslikhat (local city administration) deputies recently approved the addition of 18,129 hectares to the capital’s city limits. The newly incorporated area will accommodate 211,000...


Kazakhstan to launch music, theatre and literary initiatives to modernise country’s global image

ASTANA – As part of Kazakhstan’s national effort to modernise its image globally, the country plans to launch a Theatre Laboratory initiative, a Literary Belt initiative and...


Investment ministry to review regulations to improve Kazakhstan’s investment attractiveness

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development hopes to improve the country’s attractiveness to investors by reviewing current labour, tax and customs laws. “This year...


Kazakh instant noodles producer seeks to capture domestic market

ASTANA – With state support, more and more companies start production of essential goods, successfully competing with foreign products. KAZBRAND used the state support to construct high-tech...


Toll systems to be installed on main Kazakh highways

ASTANA – Installing toll systems on Kazakh and international highways is the main priority of the Nurly Zhol infrastructure development state programme, said Minister for Investment and...


Mangistau region farmers utilise green energy

ASTANA – Farmers in the Mangistau region are reflecting Kazakhstan’s emphasis on renewable energy by incorporating renewable energy sources into their operations. The Khanbekgul farm, which includes...


Central European, Central Asian foreign ministers launch new dialogue platform in Budapest

ASTANA – Seizing the occasion of its presidency at the Visegrad Group and standing by its “V4 Connects” motto, Hungary convened the first meeting of foreign ministers...


Meinhardt Group to assist Kazakhstan in next phase of development

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in his address to the nation on Jan. 10, put forward an inspiring vision for the next phase of the country’s economic...


Kazakh designers demonstrate collections at London’s Silk Road Fashion Show

ASTANA – Young Kazakh designers Zhanar Kainarbayeva and Aizhan Salimbayeva presented their works in London at last month’s Silk Road Fashion Show. The event introduced modern Central...


Kazakhstan launches new system to track alcohol, oil product production, distribution

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is launching an automatic system to track the production and distribution of alcohol and oil products called eSapa. The controlling devices – counters –...


Chocotravel, Aviata.kz to merge to compete in int’l online air, rail ticket market

ASTANA – Major Kazakh online air and railway ticket sales providers Aviata.kz and Chocotravel plan to merge to better compete in the international market, inform.kz reported recently....


AIFC Expat Centre offers English-language relocation assistance, hopes to attract foreign workers

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Expat Centre provides English-language services, including visa and work permits, tax payments, consultations on healthcare, education, transport and accommodations...


Zhambyl region to focus on seven agricultural development priorities

ASTANA – The Zhambyl region will focus on seven priorities to develop the region’s agricultural sector, Regional Agriculture Department Head Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said during a recent meeting...


Gender equality is important element of success, says UN Women Representative in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – On the eve of the March 8 International Women’s Day, United Nations (UN) Women Representative in Kazakhstan Elaine Conkievich spoke with The Astana Times about...


Teacher of the Year named among nation’s 100 New Faces

ASTANA – Biology teacher Alexander Kintsel, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces, believes the most important quality every teacher should possess is love and passion for working...


Georgia and Kazakhstan exchange tourism, business, logistic experience

ASTANA – A Kazakh delegation led by Almaty Akim (Mayor) Baurzhan Baibek and Georgian administration headed by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy and Sustainable...


Kazakh FM, officials brief foreign diplomats on national tourism effort

ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is joining efforts with other government agencies to promote inbound and domestic tourism in Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov announced...


Nazarbayev announces Kazakhstan to lower mortgage costs, reduce taxes on low-wage workers and provide more microloans, among other initiatives

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced March 5 what he called “Five Social Initiatives,” including tax breaks for low-income workers and greater access to education, that are...


Former expat shares Kazakh experience in ‘Vagabond Chronicles’

ASTANA – “Kazakhstan, chroniques vagabondes” (“Vagabond Chronicles”), by French writer Aude Ceccarelli, is based on her three-year work and living experience in Almaty. It gives a glimpse...


Club 28 Petel volunteers knit woollen clothing for premature newborns

ASTANA – The volunteers of the Club 28 Petel (28 Loops) project gather in seven countries around the world to knit boots, hats, cardigans and toys for...


Brazilian businesses seek stronger Kazakh ties in mining, construction, technology

ASTANA – A delegation of business people from Brazil, including top management from the Optimal Capital Partners company, met with Kazakh officials and entrepreneurs to promote increased...


New route to transport passengers from Kazakhstan to Turkey on high-speed train

ASTANA – The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) high-speed railway route initiated last fall will transport Kazakhs to Turkey and Europe by the end of the year. “One of the...


Tumar: Kazakh-styled champlevé jewellery

ASTANA – Tumar is the first and only Kazakh brand of national-style silver jewellery using the champlevé enamelling technique. The company has an online store (www.mytumar.kz) where...


Loans vary among Kazakh cities and regions

ASTANA – Where one lives in Kazakhstan apparently helps to determine what he or she will buy using credit, according to ranking.kz. Residents of the capital take...


EBRD to invest $244 million in Kazakh renewable energy projects

ASTANA – The Eurasian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to invest approximately $244.2 million in Kazakh renewable energy sources (RES) attracting private and international financial...


Visually challenged pianist named one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces

ASTANA – Saida Kalykova, one of the nation’s 100 New Faces, is the only Kazakh citizen holding an academic degree in music. The pianist and composer, a...


Haileybury Astana launches International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

ASTANA – Haileybury Astana introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme March 1 designed to incorporate a more holistic approach to students’ academic and personal development and...


National preschool classes launch postponed until 2020

ASTANA – The launch of national preschool courses to prepare children to enter first grade has been postponed until 2020 to allow new textbooks to be prepared...


Seven milk farms to be built in North Kazakhstan region

ASTANA – Seven milk farms capable of producing 10,000 tonnes of product will be constructed in different districts of the North Kazakhstan region to provide job opportunities,...


Kazakh construction companies introduce blockchain contracts

ASTANA – Ualikhan Nysanov is the latest Kazakh businessperson to incorporate blockchain into his business model. As the developer of AIDA Service, the construction company owner is...


Kazakh Invest launches call centre, CRM system for investors

ASTANA – Kazakh Invest is seeking investors to implement 17 projects worth $16.4 billion this year as part of the 2018-2022 national investment strategy, said Kazakh Invest...


Damu Fund supports Kazakh geneticist in dental invention

ASTANA – Kazakh genetic scientist Bauyrzhan Aituov has made a breakthrough in the incipient treatment of cavities. His technology, called InnoDent, features biocompatible implants that stimulate the...


Band brings American Bluegrass music to the Kazakh steppe

ASTANA – On a cold winter night, one of the capital’s pubs is swept away by the sounds of bluegrass music, which seems unusual for the surroundings....


EU, Kazakh officials call for stronger cooperation at Brussels forum

BRUSSELS – Kazakh government officials and high representatives of European Union institutions discussed prospects for Kazakhstan-EU cooperation in light of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA)...


Astana mayor sees major social, ecological, urban planning and development programme changes

ASTANA – Capital Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev is proud of his city. The latest project, a light tram network from the airport to the new railway station...


Kazakh domestic pharmaceutical production up 79.8 percent in 2017

ASTANA – The Kazakh pharmaceutical industry increased production of the country’s most popular medications by 73.1 percent with production increasing 79.8 percent over 2016. Prices for pharmaceutical...


EBRD supported 177 SMEs and 62 female entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan in 2017

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Kazakh government provided subsidies for management consulting services last year to 177 small and medium-sized enterprises...


Kazakh domestic carmakers increase sales 43.2 percent

ASTANA – Kazautoprom Union of Auto Companies published January’s results of new motor car and light commercial vehicle sales. Kazakh customers purchased 3,122 cars spending $73.9 million, a...


Boraldai Saka burial mounds welcome tourists in Almaty

ASTANA – Tourists to Almaty now can visit the Boraldai Saka burial mound archaeological complex, which in addition to the ancient necropolis showcases the reconstructed burial mound...


Kazakh movie about National Guard hero premieres

ASTANA – “Sixth Post,” a feature film about the courage and heroism of National Guard soldiers, premiered recently in the capital. The picture is based on the...


Kazakhstan makes ‘meaningful progress’ in extractive industry transparency, report suggests

ASTANA – The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) determined Feb. 13 that Kazakhstan has made meaningful progress overall in implementing the EITI Standard. The decision was made...


Kazakhstan strives to become corruption-free country

Today, we are becoming more and more aware of the problem of corruption in our country. In the past, we used to talk about how big and...


Astana’s 20th anniversary programme to include art festivals

ASTANA – The programme to celebrate Astana’s 20th anniversary this year will include performances by more than 500 artists from around the world. “The Parade of Capitals...


U.S. forensic experts rule out fatal accident in Tokmadi case

ASTANA – Specialists from the United States invited to Kazakhstan to reconstruct the crime scene in the Tokmadi case recently concluded that the gun in question could...


Kazakhstan removed from list of most corrupt countries

ASTANA – Kazakhstan improved its ranking nine spots to 122 and was removed from the list of the world’s most corrupt countries on the recently released 2017...


Radicalisation, drug trafficking, environment are key EU-Central Asia security challenges, say experts and officials

ASTANA – Fighting terrorism and extremism, including radicalisation, tackling drug and arms trafficking as well as environment and water management issues are among key security challenges faced...


YBYRAI Young Programmers’ League – first step in world of high technologies

In the digital era, the rapid development of which we are now witnessing, everything is changing: the economy, the state system and even society. At the forefront...


Digital Kazakhstan: transforming through modern technology

The Digital Kazakhstan state programme was approved in December 2017. It is an important programme that aims to improve the standard of living of every Kazakh citizen...


Kazakh skier’s bronze medal more than 20 years in the making

PYEONGCHANG – Kazakh Winter Olympic Team Head Coach Yelena Kruglykhina said recently that Kazakh skier Julia Galysheva’s Olympic bronze medal in PyeongChang in the moguls was more...


Astana FC makes incredible comeback in Europa League match against Portugal’s Sporting

The return match of Europa League’s 1/16 round between Kazakhstan’s Astana FC and Portugal’s Sporting ended in a 3-3 draw in Lisbon on Feb. 22. The fate...


New humanitarian knowledge in light of Fourth Industrial Revolution

In April 2017, a policy article “Course towards the future: modernisation of Kazakhstan’s identity” by President Nursultan Nazarbayev was published. Among many, there is one specific project...


Kazakhstan proposes developing roadmap for Kazakh-EU cooperation

BRUSSELS – Kazakhstan has suggested developing a roadmap to implement the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the nation and the European Union (EU) and its...


Linguistic taste of time

Linguistic scholars rarely step into the spotlight of the nation’s historic events. Their everyday research work is routine and monotonous and may seem boring and ordinary for...


TCO reaches record-high oil production in 2017, seeks to expand in 2018

ASTANA – Last year was a milestone for Tengizchevroil (TCO), the Chevron-led joint venture operating the Tengiz oil and gas field in Atyrau region, as the company achieved...


Cardiac surgeons conduct artificial heart transplant

ASTANA – The specialists of the National Scientific Cardiac Surgery Centre conducted Kazakhstan’s first artificial heart transplant Oct 19, 2017 for a 60-year-old Pavlodar native, kazakh-tv.kz reports....


Venerable Kazakh confectionery aims to edge out imports with local sweets

ASTANA – Bayan Sulu, a Kazakh confectionery based in Kostanai, produces 31 percent of local sweets and is launching new products to replace imports and boost exports....


Kazakhstan supports latest UN report’s call for gender equality

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is committed to the type of gender equality called for in the UN Women report published February 14, UN officials said. “Kazakhstan has also...


Kazakhstan adopts new version of Latin-based Kazakh alphabet

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev amended his Oct. 26, 2017 decree concerning the transition of the Kazakh alphabet from Cyrillic to Latin script, which if kept, would...


Two new eco-friendly trams added to ‘tram capital of Kazakhstan’

ASTANA – Pavlodar Tram Management recently put into operation in Pavlodar the first two of 23 eco-friendly, climate-equipped trams as part of Pavlodar’s ongoing Public Transport Development...


Bank Astana introduces microbusiness loans for entrepreneurs

ASTANA – Bank Astana recently introduced microbusiness loans for entrepreneurs, reported Forbes.kz. The loans are up to 3 million tenge (US$9,330) for a maximum of 24 months....


UN in Kazakhstan: 25 years of two-way street cooperation

ALMATY – Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Almaty Mayor Baurzhan Baibek, heads of the United Nations (UN) country offices in Kazakhstan, veterans of national diplomatic service and members...


Report summarises Kazakh civil service reform results, defines improvement priorities

ASTANA – The Kazakh government has approved a report describing the stages of development of the civil service in the country, analysing the current state of the...


Digitisation programme expected to produce five-fold return on investment, says official

ASTANA – Implementation of the Digital Kazakhstan programme is entering its active phase, said Kazakh Minister of Information and Communications Dauren Abayev at a Feb.16 extended board...


People are Kazakhstan’s greatest asset, says Lithuanian ambassador

ASTANA – Lithuania celebrated Feb. 16 its 100th anniversary of independence restored after World War I. To highlight the date, Lithuanian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Vytautas Nauduzas told...


One of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces introduces new breast cancer diagnosis, treatment methods

ASTANA – Dana Bashibayeva, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces, calls on women to put their health first and has introduced new methods of breast disease diagnosis...


We want to continue to be real partner for Central Asia, says EU Special Representative

ASTANA – The European Union (EU) seeks to further expand its partnership with Central Asia and refine new cooperation mechanisms to address existing and emerging security challenges,...


Kazakh company to export feathers to Europe

ASTANA – Kostanai-based NabasFabrik will begin exporting feathers to European Union (EU) countries for the first time in the nation’s history. The regional administration is doing everything...


Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies climbs 7 spots in global think tank ranking

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), the state institution providing research and analysis to President Nursultan Nazarbayev and the Kazakh government, climbed from 147th...


Ski resort to be built in Bayanaul tourist zone

ASTANA – Tourists delight in visiting picturesque and invigorating Bayanaul in the Pavlodar region, where a ski centre offering winter getaways will be constructed on Myrzashoky Mountain....


Kazakh authorities detain suspected members of eight organised crime groups

ASTANA – Eight organised criminal groups were detained Feb. 15-16 during special large-scale operations in the Almaty, South Kazakhstan and Zhambyl regions and the city of Almaty,...


Second wave of privatisation: three most profitable companies unveiled

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to sell 877 companies, including 215 assets of the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, through the 2016 to 2020 second wave of...


Aral Sea revival challenges discussed in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakh government officials and representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) discussed mitigating the effects of the shrinking Aral Sea during a Feb. 19...


Most counterfeit products sold in Kazakhstan advertised via internet

ASTANA – The Kazakh state revenue committee investigation department has determined the largest supply channel of counterfeit products is the internet, reported expert officer Elmira Kalygulova at...


ALZHIR museum displays artefacts from Soviet-era female political prisoners

ASTANA – The Akmola Camp for Wives and Mothers of Traitors of the Motherland (ALZHIR) museum has put on display 44 certificates, photos and personal items belonging...


2,800 HIV-positive cases in Kazakhstan last year, prevalence remains low, says health official

ASTANA – Last year, more than 2,800 new HIV cases were detected in Kazakhstan, though the prevalence of HIV in the country remains low, said Vice Minister...


China’s Development Bank registers at AIFC

ASTANA – Astana International Financial Centre’s (AIFC) Financial Services Regulatory Committee recently registered the Development Bank of China, which makes it the 10th participant of the centre....


Kazakhstan’s external debt increases $75 billion in 10 years

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s external debt has increased $74.6 billion to $168.9 billion in the past ten years as of October 2017, according to Kazakh National Bank press...


Kazakh Agrotechnical University to be country’s centre for agro-sector digitisation

ASTANA – Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University will become the scientific and methodological centre for digitisation in the agro-industrial sector, university rector Akhylbek Kurishbayev said at a Feb....


Kazakh association takes initiative to create rules of the game on crypto-currency market in EAEU

ALMATY – Organisers of the Feb. 16 International Crypto Conference 2018 in Almaty said their goal was to become a “translator of the Eurasian view on the...


Kazakh figure skater participates in Olympic Channel documentary

ASTANA – Kazakh Figure skater Denis Ten, the bronze medallist at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, was the first athlete shot for the Game Breakers documentary series produced...


Red Cross and Red Crescent conference slated in Almaty

ASTANA – The Kazakh Red Crescent Society, which provides social and humanitarian assistance, first aid classes and training and prepping for natural disasters, will hold its European...


Kazakhstan’s 2014 figure skating medal winner Denis Ten comes up short in PyeongChang

PYEONGCHANG – Kazakhstan’s Sochi Olympics bronze medal winner Denis Ten found himself in 27th place here overall after his figure skating performance at the PyeongChang Games, failing...


Tokmadi pleads guilty to murdering BTA Bank chief in 2004

TARAZ – Muratkhan Tokmadi, a former gang member turned businessman, pleaded guilty Feb. 16 to murdering chairman of the board of the BTA Bank Yerzhan Tatishev in...


Kazakh champion FC Astana loses to Portugal’s Sporting in UEFA Europa League

ASTANA – FC Astana lost 1-3 to Portugal’s Sporting in the Europa League’s round of 16 competition. The match was of historical importance for Kazakhstan: no Kazakh...


New government website allows citizens to submit documents electronically

ASTANA – Kazakh citizens are now able to provide residence certificates to government agencies and other property information through a government website rather than in paper format....


Kazakh special economic zones do not justify state support, need to be improved

ASTANA – The Ministry for Investment and Development recently determined that special economic zones are not justifying the state support they receive and has called for increased...


Ust-Kamenogorsk – major industrial and tourism centre

ASTANA – Ust-Kamenogorsk, a city in eastern Kazakhstan with a population of more than 300,000, is a must visit destination for someone starting his or her journey...


Kazakh competitive cheerleading gaining recognition abroad

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s cheerleading achievements are mounting and the sport is developing in the country, President of the country’s Federation Union of Cheerleading and Cheer Sport (KUC)...


Alageum Electric expands export borders

ASTANA – Alageum Electric, one of Kazakhstan’s major electrical engineering companies, offers a wide range of products and services. The company not only provides power transformers to...


Abai Arena multifunctional complex construction starts in Semey

ASTANA – Construction has started on Abai Arena, a complex with an entertainment and sports centre in the new district in Semey. The facility is dedicated to...


Entrepreneur inspires Kazakh teenagers

ASTANA – Askhat Abzhanov, an entrepreneur from Stepnogorsk, is the founder of Zhana Urpak (“new generation” in Kazakh) Leadership School in Almaty. The school conducts various trainings...


Kazakh citizens will soon be able to enter UAE without visas

ASTANA – Starting March 10, citizens of Kazakhstan will be able to enter the United Arab Emirates without visas. This was reported by the head of the...


Imantau: pearl of Blue Mountains in North Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Imantau natural zone, in the North Kazakhstan region, is popular with tourists keen on fishing and camping. Its low mountains, beautiful lake and dense forests...


Kazakhstan to offer some medical services for purchase within national healthcare programme

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to launch by 2020 a set of additional health benefits within its national healthcare programme, which citizens can pay for themselves or with...