London Stock Exchange to Help KASE Create Financial Hub in Astana

ASTANA – During the official visit of the Kazakh delegation led by President Nursultan Nazarbayev to London on Nov. 3, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) and the...


Kazakhstan to Establish Special Islamic Financial Company

ASTANA –A special Islamic financial company is to be established in Kazakhstan to issue sukuk – Islamic bonds, according to interfax.kz. “The National Bank has developed amendments...


Flydubai to Service Astana, Increases Flights to Central Asian Destinations

ASTANA – United Arab Emirates (UAE) airline Flydubai will increase the number of its flights to the Central Asian region. The Dubai-based airline will be Kazakhstan’s first...


FC Astana Fights to Second Consecutive Kazakhstan Championship, Beats Aktobe at Home 1:0

ASTANA – The Astana Football Club (FC) beat Aktobe 1:0 on Nov. 8 to win its second consecutive national championship in Astana. FC Astana bombarded Aktobe with...


Media Executive Says Freedom, Diversity of Talents Key for Society to be Creative

How do governments encourage creativity to promote innovation-oriented policies? How do businesses advance in technology-driven economies? These questions are frequently asked by Kazakhstan’s private and public sector...


Nauryz Taikazany Monument to be Constructed on Nazarbayev Street in Kazan

A monument representing a huge taikazan, or cup, may be constructed on Nazarbayev Street in Kazan, a large port on the Volga River and the capital of...


My Brother, Dias Omarov

Prominent Kazakh sports journalist Dias Omarov turned 75 in October. The Astana Times offers a short, firsthand essay about this personality prepared by his brother, Timur Omarov,...


Nazarbayev, Business Leaders Visit UK, Ink $5 Billion in Agreements

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s visit to London on Nov. 3-4, resulted in agreements worth more than $5 billion across fields such as energy, pharmaceuticals, aviation and financial...


Health Technology Assessment to Promote More Effective Budgetting, Says Expert

ASTANA – A meeting of the council of international experts held Nov. 2-3 at the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters in Geneva served as an opportunity to...


New EBRD Regional Report Predicts Lower Economic Growth for Much of Central Asia

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is predicting lower growth for most of Central Asia in its most recent Regional Economic Prospects report,...


Nazarbayev Visits France, Improves Business Ties, Addresses 38th UNESCO Conference

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev paid an official visit to France Nov. 5-6 to meet French President François Hollande and hold talks with representatives of French business and...


Astana’s Citylove Does What It Does Best and Encourages All Do the Same

ASTANA – When The Astana Times covered the city’s live music scene in its previous issue, the band Citylove stood out. Compared to the average Kazakh or...


Online Registration Opens for Almaty Marathon

ASTANA – The Almaty Marathon, the annual charity marathon, which is to be held in Almaty Nov. 21 starting from the Park of the First President and...


International Association of Public Transport Opens Its Liaison Office in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Chairman of Astana LRT (Light Rail Transportation) Talgat Ardan and Deputy Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Mohamed Mezghani signed an...


Tenge Falls to 300 per Dollar, No Intervention from National Bank

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s currency, the tenge, fell to 300 per dollar in trading Nov. 5, reaching the low previously set in mid-September after the currency was allowed...


Four Kazakh Cities Join UNDP-GEF Sustainable Cities Project

ASTANA – The akims (mayors) of Taraz, Shymkent, Temirtau and Lisakovsk cities of Kazakhstan officially signed memoranda of understanding with the UNDP-Global Environmental Facility (GEF) project Nationally...


Kazakh Senate Passes Law Bringing Astana Int’l Financial Centre Closer to Reality

ASTANA – The Kazakh Senate passed a draft constitutional law Oct. 5 “On International Financial Centre Astana.” The bill is focused on establishing the Astana International Financial Centre...


Kazakhstan, EBRD Sign Transport, Infrastructure, SME Support Financing Deals in London

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced three major financing deals to support small business development, road infrastructure and public transport in Kazakhstan...


Astana Ties Atletico Madrid at Home

ASTANA – With a dramatic last minute save, FC Astana held Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 tie in a home match in Astana Nov. 3. With two...


Taiburil Scholarship Programme Supports Talented Students, Plans to Expand

The awards ceremony for the Taiburil monthly scholarship winners was held Oct. 31 in Almaty. The programme, supported by second-tier banks such as Kaspi Bank and Kazkommertzbank,...


Astana Residents to Choose Best Health Professionals

ASTANA – The heads of Astana’s Health Administration have called on city residents to actively participate in “The Best Doctor” and “The Best Nurse” campaigns. Citizens’ opinions...


Electrodes Production Launched in Zhambyl Region 

TARAZ – A 70 million tenge (US$250,000) plant to produce electrodes was launched in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region in October 2015. There is a great demand in Kazakhstan’s...


Aidyn Aimbetov: Younger Generation Still Interested in Space Exploration

Aidyn Aimbetov, Kazakhstan’s third cosmonaut and a colonel in the country’s Air Force, travelled to the International Space Station Sept. 2 as part of an international crew....


In Astana, Kerry Promotes Stronger Ties in Economy, Security

ASTANA – It was a visit full of symbolism. It ranged from the presentation of the famous savoury and fragrant Almaty Aport apples to a foreign dignitary...


Milan Passes EXPO Flag to Astana at Closing Ceremony

Kazakhstan’s pavilion was ranked in the best three for opening theme and content, it was announced at the closing ceremony for EXPO 2015 in Milan Oct. 31,...


President Signs New Civil Procedure Code

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev publicly signed the new Civil Procedure Code (CPC) of Kazakhstan Oct. 31. The code introduces changes to procedures in investment, civil and...


Kazakh Blogosphere Presents New Type of Media for its Audience

ASTANA – As the number of Internet users rises, online publications are becoming more and more popular. In the age of new technologies, any kind of information...


Expats Say Enjoy Hospitality, Expanding Choices in Kazakhstan, List Language, Prices as Challenges

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was recently ranked 59th out of 64 countries for expat destinations this year, one place ahead of Russia and one behind Italy, according to...


Barys Crawls Upwards

ASTANA – While on tour in the European part of the Continental Hockey League (KHL), ex-coach of the Astana Barys Andrei Nazarov took the reins of the...


Nurly Zhol Economic Policy to Help Kazakhstan Weather Global Economic Storm

We have witnessed a tumultuous year for the global economy. The spectre of the 2008 global financial crash is a constant reminder to governments of the dangers...


Kazakhstan Hopes to Send 100 Athletes to 2016 Rio Summer Olympics

ASTANA – More than 100 Kazakh athletes will represent their country during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Vice Minister of Sports and Culture Saken Mussaibekov said during...


New National Bank Chairman Approved by Senate, Appointed by President

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Senate approved on Nov. 2 the proposed appointment of acting Presidential Aide and head of the Social and Economic Monitoring Department of the Presidential...


Security, Connectivity, Water Management Discussed at C5+1 Ministerial Meeting in Uzbekistan

SAMARKAND – The foreign ministers of the five Central Asian states held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Nov.1, in the...


Kazakhstan’s Contribution To COP 21

A proposal put forward by President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly to establish an international centre for the development of...


Kcell Fined for Abuse of Dominance

ASTANA – Kcell was recently fined 252.7 million tenge (US$903,000) for abuse of dominance by the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies and Protection of Competition of...


Kazakhs Harnessing Social Media to Demand Justice

ASTANA – The surge of popularity of social media in Kazakhstan, and the corresponding ability to post anonymously online is having an impact on both high and...


Tricks of the Trade: How Astana Restaurateurs Try to Improve Service Sector

ASTANA – It is no secret that city restaurants have been slow to reach the level of five-star service. Many patrons have experienced poor service in the...


Live Music in Astana Finds its Audience

ASTANA – Live music should be “tasty,” says one the city’s most loved, versatile musicians. Numerous creative live bands and solo performers enjoy playing and singing both...


British-Kazakh Ties Strengthen Across the Board

From Oct. 7-9, I had the pleasure of visiting Kazakhstan. I am the sixth U.K. government minister to visit Kazakhstan since the historic visit by Prime Minister...


More than $1.5 Billion in Deals Signed at Astana Invest Forum

ASTANA – Four agreements worth $580 million in new projects in Kazakhstan were signed following the Oct. 29 morning session of this year’s Astana Invest Forum, including...


Almaty Businessman Creates Electric Sports Car

ASTANA – As environmental conditions worsen, people are becoming more and more interested in eco-friendly vehicles. A businessman from Almaty has surprised his compatriots with the electric...


Kazakh Judoka Wins Gold at Junior World Championship

Judoka from Kyzylorda Magzhan Shamshadin became the second champion in the history of Kazakh judo to win the Judo World Championship for Juniors in the men’s 55...


Kazakh Student Community in Austria Releases Bilingual Journal

ASTANA – The Kazakh Student Community in Austria is keeping readers informed about its activities in more than one language, as the group released the second issue...


Nur Otan Refuses Kok-Zhailyau Project

ASTANA – The Nur Otan Party in Almaty has refused to invest in the Kok-Zhailyau project, with deputies explaining during a party meeting that the decision was...


Disasters Beyond Borders: Asia-Pacific Resilience Critical for Sustainable Development

Nothing erases development as suddenly and severely as natural disasters. When earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones strike, they wreak destruction not only across borders but across generations...


Kazakhstan Leaps 12 Places to 41st in World Bank Doing Business Report

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was among the top 10 economies showing the most improvement in the World Bank’s 2016 Doing Business report released Oct. 27. The country leaped...


Kazakhstan Joins International Community to Mark UN’s 70th Anniversary

ASTANA – A range of international activities and events were organised Oct. 24 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. More than 200 landmarks in...


Kazakhstan Increases Social Benefits for Numerous Groups

ASTANA – Kazakhstan provides a number of allowances and social benefits to different groups within society. The State Centre for Pension Payment released information this year indicating...


World Bank Decrease Oil Price Forecast

ASTANA– World Bank analysts expect prices for oil, nonferrous materials and agricultural goods to decrease in 2015-2016 more than previously forecast, with oil predicted to be sold...


ZhasCamp 2015 Gathers Young Leaders in Shymkent

ZhasCamp 2015, the sixth annual conference dedicated to the development of social initiatives and business activities, was held Oct.10-11 in Salem Social Village in Shymkent. Organised by...


Kazakhstan, Japan Urge CTBT Entry into Force in Strongly-Worded Statement

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Japan have come out with a powerful joint statement calling on the world to make everything needed to ensure the entry into force...


Kazakhstan, Japan Focus on Economic Ties During Abe’s Visit to Astana

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the latter’s official visit to the Central Asian nation on Oct. 27....


Kazakh-Mongolian Poet to Take Part in Second Int’l Literary Festival in Almaty

ASTANA – The second Polifonia International Literary Festival will take place Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Almaty. Kazakh authors and foreign guests will participate in lectures,...


Astana Marriott Hosts ‘Day of Spiritual Harmony’ for Special Needs Children

ASTANA – A Day of Spiritual Harmony was held at the Astana Marriott hotel on Oct. 18 to highlight a moratorium on conflicts and clashes. This is...


New Exhibition in Almaty Metro Introduces World of Children’s Art

“The Kazakhstan I Love” young artists’ exhibition opened recently at the Auezov Theatre metro station in Almaty. The display is the first joint project of the metropolitan...


Indian Team Visits Astana to Study Architecture, Investment

ASTANA – Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, India, is looking to Astana as a model for both architecture and attracting investment, according to its chief...


Kelimbetov: Tenge to Stabilise within 3-5 Months at 250-270 per Dollar

ASTANA – Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Kairat Kelimbetov believes the tenge will stabilise in the next three to five months, according to Interfax. “Once...


Atlético Madrid Beats Astana 4:0 to Claim Top Spot in Group C

ASTANA – Atlético Madrid thrashed Football Club (FC) Astana in front of a home crowd Oct. 21 to claim the top spot in Group C alongside Benfica,...


Kazakhstan, Qatar Have Common Challenges, Common Goals, Kazakh President Says

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Qatar Oct. 25 – 26 to work on strengthening economic ties between the two countries, the Akorda press service...


Astana, Almaty ‘Go Blue’ as Part of Global Effort to Mark UN’s 70th Anniversary

ASTANA – A range of international activities and events were organised Oct. 24 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. More than 200 landmarks in...


World Social Advertising Exhibition Opens in Almaty

ASTANA – A World Social Advertising exhibition opened recently in Almaty’s Baikonur metro station, affording passengers the chance to admire works of international designers through Oct. 30....


Former Secret Town Once More Attracting Scientists

ASTANA – For four decades, Kurchatov, a town in East Kazakhstan, was the secret centre of operations for the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. Due to the surprisingly large...


Macroeconomic Research Centre Explains Move to Retail Tax

ASTANA – Director of the Macroeconomic Research Centre Olzhas Khudaybergenov recently explained the change of the value added tax and corporate income tax to a retail tax and...


IMF Advocates Accelerated Structural Reform, Sustainable Fiscal Policies to Weather Economic Crisis in Central Asia

ASTANA – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is advocating accelerated structural reforms in Central Asia to combat slow gross domestic product growth in the region. The IMF...


Astana to Launch Single Contact Number for All City Services

ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Adilbek Dzhaksybekov held a meeting Oct. 19 on a number of the city’s topical issues, including the preparation of all the...


Photographers of Kazakh Fauna Praised at National Museum Ceremony

ASTANA – The photographers of the “Fauna of Kazakhstan” exhibition were recently awarded during a special ceremony at the National Museum of Kazakhstan. The photo exhibition was...


NGO Law to Ensure Liberty, Equality, Accountability and Transparency

In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, Usen Suleimen, ambassador-at-large of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke on amendments and additions to Kazakhstan’s law on...


Domestic Adoption Remains Viable Option in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Americans adopted more than 6,000 Kazakh orphans from 1999-2011, according to a December 2013 article in Vox Populi. Kazakhstan recently imposed a moratorium on U.S....


French Envoy Calls for Joint Global Effort against Climate Change

ASTANA – French Ambassador Bérengère Quincy spoke extensively about the upcoming 21st United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21) during her Oct. 19-22 visit to Kazakhstan. She...


Kazakh, Foreign Designers Present Spring-Summer Collections at Kazakh Fashion Week

ASTANA – Kazakh, Georgian, Russian, Uzbek, Ukrainian and French designers and brand owners presented their 2016 spring-summer collections to capital residents during Kazakhstan Fashion Week (KFW), held...


Annual Human Rights Report Presented, Improves Each Year, Says Rights Official

ASTANA – The presentation of the annual report of the Human Rights Commission under Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev was held Oct. 20 at the Foreign Ministry. The document on...


“New Dubai” on Kazakh-Chinese Border Set to Change Trans-Eurasian Trade

KHORGOS, ALMATY REGION – Some might say this barren spot on the border between China and Kazakhstan is in the middle of nowhere. And they would be...


Kazakh Banks Face Moderate Devaluation Challenges

ASTANA – Fitch Ratings, an international agency providing issuer and bond ratings, forecast in August that the sharp tenge devaluation could affect both the asset quality and...


Mixed Fortunes for Barys under Koreshkov

ASTANA – Astana Barys have now played eleven matches since the resignation of the club’s first ever home-grown coach, Yerlan Sagymbayev. The team is now being led...


Kazakh Military Observers Complete Mission in Western Sahara, Receive Medals

ASTANA  –  Two Kazakh Armed Forces officers have returned to Kazakhstan after serving one year as military observers for the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO),...


French Digital WWI Exhibit Opens in Astana

ASTANA – A travelling digital exhibition on World War I, “14–18,” organised by the French Institute, the Mission of a Century after WWI and the Agency on...


ATOM Project, Other Nonproliferation Initiatives Highlighted at PNND Forum in Prague

Parliamentarians and nonproliferation activists from Kazakhstan addressed the fifth Prague Agenda Conference and the 2015 Assembly of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND) held in Prague...


Afghan Scholarship Student Emerges as Hero in Almaty Tram Accident

ASTANA – Afghan student Basharat Khan Yousefi has emerged as a hero of the Oct. 13 tram accident in Almaty and is being hailed for preventing more...


Golovkin Continues KO Streak by Stopping Lemieux in Eighth Round

ASTANA – Gennady “GGG” Golovkin stopped David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) in the eighth round, Oct. 17, in front of a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden...


Kazakh TV Director Hopeful of Medium’s Future in Face of Mobile Tech, Economic Challenges

ASTANA – On the threshold of Kazakh TV’s 13th anniversary on Oct. 23, The Astana Times had an opportunity to interview its director, Andrei Tarakov, to learn...


Satellite Tags Used to Track Goitered Gazelles for First Time in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – For the first time, satellite tags are being used to track the movements of goitered gazelles in Kazakhstan’s Altyn Yemel National Park, the UNDP office...


Kazakh Skating Star Tursynbayeva Wins Skate Canada Int’l Tournament

ASTANA – Elizabet Tursynbayeva, Kazakhstan’s rising figuring skating star, won the adult competition of the Skate Canada Autumn Classic International Tournament held Oct. 13–15 in Barrie, Ontario....


Why Khorgos is a Timely Investment

Kazakhstan has set itself the ambitious target of becoming one of the world’s 30 most competitive economies by 2050. Boosting trade with Kazakhstan’s partners is essential to...


Forgoing Meat in the ‘Land of Wolves’

ASTANA – For foreigners, being vegetarian in Kazakhstan can be challenging, but for locals, it’s practically subversive. This is a culture, after all, that has given rise...


Paris Conference on Climate Change: Critical Milestone with Long-Term Implications

In six weeks, COP 21, the 21st Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, will open in Paris. A total of 195 countries...


CIS Leaders’ Meeting in Burabai Addresses Security Challenges

BURABAI – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev chaired a meeting of the Heads of State Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Burabai, Kazakhstan, on...


Major World Economic Trends and Kazakhstan’s Anti-Crisis Strategy

The world economy, according to the latest estimates, has greatly slowed its pace of growth, which is significantly below expectations. In June 2015, the World Bank published...


Almaty Public Transport Introduces New Electronic Ticketing System

ASTANA – Starting from Oct. 1, Almaty city public transport has been operating an electronic ticketing system for passengers, reported Tengrinews.kz. The system utilises different types of Onai...


In Kazakhstan, East and West Meet in Ancient Superstitions

ASTANA – Every nation has its superstitions, which people follow in different ways. Some still believe in them, some think they are old and best left to...


Cell Phone Users to Change Operators While Keeping Their Numbers Starting in 2016

ASTANA – A draft law under consideration in the Senate of Parliament would allow mobile phone users in Kazakhstan to keep their phone numbers even when they...


EAEU Leaders Discuss Economic Policy in Face of Global Turbulence, Agree to Open Free Trade Talks with Israel

BURABAI – The leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) met Oct. 16 at a hotel in the Kazakh resort area to discuss pressing issues facing the fledgling...


Putin’s State Visit Reconfirms Kazakh-Russian Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to Kazakhstan Oct. 15 at the invitation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The two leaders met in the...


In Historic First, Kazakhstan Launches Domestic Rail Production

ASTANA – The first rollout of domestic rail products in Kazakhstan took place Oct. 16 at the Aktobe Rail and Section Works (ARBZ), reported the press service...


Kazakhstan, China Strengthen Defence Cooperation

ASTANA – Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan visited Astana on Monday and met with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kazakh defence officials. Nazarbayev congratulated the minister of defence...


Russian Mountaineer from Kazakhstan Portrayed in ‘Everest’ Film

ASTANA – Anatoli Boukreyev, a professional Russian mountaineer from Almaty, Kazakhstan, was the lead climbing guide for the 1996 Mountain Madness expedition to Mount Everest and became...


Astana Implements Additional ‘Smart’ Projects, Seeks Entry into Top 50 ‘Smart’ Cities

ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Adilbek Dzhaksybekov launched a series of “Smart” projects in July. Smart Astana project includes several directions, such as Smart Clinics, Smart...


Nation’s Charitable Organisations Attempt to Boost Philanthropic Culture

ASTANA – There are thousands of charity funds in Kazakhstan, but none is receiving enough aid from those who are prosperous. To encourage citizens to share, a...


Chevron, KazMunayGas Partner to Enhance Kazakhstan’s Technical Capabilities

Since the start of its operations in Kazakhstan in 1993, Chevron has continuously invested in developing and training its local workforce to meet the increasing demands of...


Industrial Astana Series: Tsesna Concern Supports Food Security

ASTANA – Tsesna Concern, a major company in the Kazakh flour-milling industry and paste goods production and participant in the State Programme of Accelerated Industrial and Innovative...


EXPO 2017 Logo to Mark Air Astana Aircraft Fleet

The first EXPO 2017 logo has been emblazoned on the fuselage of an Embraer 190, the result of a memorandum of cooperation between Astana EXPO 2017 and...