Three Presidential Candidates Continue Campaigns across Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Presidential candidates Abelgazy Kussainov, incumbent Nursultan Nazarbayev and Turgun Syzdykov and their campaigns are continuing election canvassing across Kazakhstan. This week, self-nominated candidate Abelgazy Kussainov...


Iran at the Crossroads

Despite the diplomatic success achieved in the talks between Tehran and the P5+1 group in March, the situation surrounding Iran is still uncertain. Presently, the Iranian issue...


New Research Finds Majority of Kazakhs Think Country Is Moving in Right Direction, Ready for Election

ASTANA – New research conducted by U.K. market research agency Ipsos MORI with Kazakh adults shows that a large majority of citizens of the country believe the...


Bike Away the ATOMIC Bomb Calls for Progress at NPT Review Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 21, the Bike Away the Atomic Bomb riders began their journey from Washington, D.C. to New York in another push to a...


Newest Trends and Challenges in Occupational Health to Be Discussed at KIOSH 2015 in Astana

ASTANA – Astana will host the fifth annual Kazakhstan International Occupational Safety and Health (KIOSH) Conference on April 28–29. KIOSH aims at reducing the rate of injuries...


Kazakh Weightlifters Win Four Medals at World Youth Championship

Kazakh weightlifters earned four medals at the April 8-12 World Youth Championship in Lima, Peru.   Igor Song and Tatyana Kapustina won gold medals, Aigerim Aulbek took...


Kazakhstan Responds to Syrian Opposition Negotiation Request, Supports Continued Dialogue

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the country did receive a request from some quarters of the Syrian opposition to provide a platform for dialogue...


Astana’s Rotary Club Launches

ASTANA – Astana’s Rotary Club has now become operational, marking their launch with an opening ceremony in the capital’s Hilton Garden Inn on April 16. The humanitarian...


Astana Piano Festival Supports Young Musicians

ASTANA – The third international classical music festival and young pianist contest directed by Denis Matsuev, a world-famous musician and People’s Artist of Russia, will take place...


Celebrating APK’s 20th Anniversary is as Much About the Past as it is About the Future

It would be no surprise if there was some bewilderment from those outside our country at the prominence given to the 20th anniversary of the Assembly of...


KazGeo Expedition Succeeds in Reaching North Pole on Skis

ASTANA – The first Kazakhstan ski expedition to the North Pole has conquered the extreme northern tip of the world on April 15 and planted three flags...


Cultural, Economic Cooperation with UNESCO, OECD Discussed during Top Level Visit to Paris

ASTANA – Gulshara Abdykalikova, Kazakhstan’s secretary of state, discussed potential avenues for expanding the country’s economic and cultural cooperation with international organisations during her visit to Paris...


Astana Theatre Production to Highlight Friendships between Country’s Ethnic Groups

Kazakh Auenderi, a national concert company, will produce a theatrical performance about friendship between different ethnic communities of Kazakhstan, according to  company President Askhat Maemirov who spoke...


Autism Resource Centres to Open as Almaty Holds World Autism Awareness Day

Hundreds of blue balloons were released into the sky to draw attention to the Light Up Blue campaign to mark United Nations Autism Awareness Day on April...


Cheap Loans to be Available for Kazakh-Made Car Purchases

ASTANA – Cheap loans to purchase Kazakh-made cars, with a four percent nominal fee rate and five year maximum loan term, will be available beginning April 20....


The Short, Colourful Lives of Spring Steppe Flowers

ASTANA – The hardy souls who stick out one of Astana’s long and frigid winters can count on at least one reward: when the snows finally melt...


Business News in Brief

Acting Deputy General Director of Gazprom Neft Kazakhstan Marat Malatayev reported April 15 that the company is currently considering the issues for Euro-4 domestic refineries gasoline quality...


Economic News in Brief

Chairman of the Committee on Statistics of the Ministry of National Economy Alikhan Smailov spoke at an April 15 media briefing about the main indicators of Kazakh...


External News in Brief

Over the past 10 years, Kazakhstan has invested $900 million in Singapore’s economy, while the inflow of direct investment from Singapore into Kazakhstan’s economy amounted to more...


National News in Brief

All necessary measures are being taken in Kazakhstan to develop the languages of various ethnic groups living in the nation, said Deputy Prime Minister Berdibek Saparbayev at...


Kazakhstan, Turkey Discuss Regional, International Cooperation

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Akorda presidential residence on April 16. The two presidents discussed strengthening cooperation in...


Kazakh-Specific Keyboards Expected by End of 2015

A recently patented keyboard with comfortable positioning of Kazakh letters will be produced in Almaty and is expected by the end of the year, according to project...


New Social Network Meant to Increase Kazakh Law, Financial Knowledge

ASTANA – A new website, www.1ccc.kz, has been created by the Financial Academy to increase Kazakh citizens’ understanding of the law and financial literacy. “The social network...


Almaty to Host Sixth French Film Festival

ALMATY – The latest sophisticated, vibrant and daring films from France will be showcased beginning April 23 during the sixth French film festival “Le cinéma français aujourd’hui.” The...


Development Assistance Key to Eliminating Support for Extremists

As we look around the world, violent extremism and terrorism has never been a greater threat. In parts of the Middle East and Africa, for example, it...


Chinese Company Plans to Construct New Oil Refinery in Mangistau

The Chinese company CITIC, which recently launched the first bitumen plant in Mangistau, is planning to finance the construction of a new oil refinery in the region,...


Kazakhstan-Turkey Strategic Partnership Can Serve as Example

From the first days of independence, Kazakhstan has held an open and balanced foreign policy. The country established friendly relations with many countries of the world. Turkey...


Marriott Seeks New Partners, New Local Relationships with Open Day

ASTANA – The Marriott Astana opened its third floor event facilities to all comers during its Open Day on April 13, an event intended to demonstrate the...


Contest Names Best Children’s Literature Authors

Kazakhmys Corporation and the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan recently announced the winners of the Balausa competition to select the best literary work in the Kazakh language...


UN Development Programme Allows Oralmans Teach Fellow Oralmans

ASTANA – Individuals who were once students are now serving as teachers.   Classes in Russian and computer literacy, provided under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP),...


State Archive to Present Book Chronicling 20th Century History of Kazakhstan’s Jewish Community

ASTANA– Apresentation of the book “History, Memory,People,” which depicts the losses of Kazakhstan’s Jewish community in the 20th century, will be hosted by the Central State Archive...


Astana Hosts First National Blue-Collar Skills Championship

ASTANA – More than 70 blue-collar workers from 15 regions of the country gathered in Astana April 9-11 to show their skills in welding, IT management, catering,...


Forbes Kazakhstan Establishes Architectural Innovation Award

In light of the coming international exhibition EXPO 2017, which will largely focus on sustainable development and the face of energy in the future, Forbes Kazakhstan business...


World War II Veterans Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars Discuss Ways to Honour Veterans

ASTANA – Representatives of the Council of World War II Veterans, Home Guard and Kids of the War and the U.S.-based Veterans of Foreign Wars recently met...


State to Allocate 35 Billion Tenge to Support Mechanical Engineering

The state will allocate 35 billion tenge to support domestic mechanical engineering, First Vice Minister of National Economy Marat Kussainov said at the Central Communications Service briefing...


More Than One Million Square Metres of Rental Housing to be Built Before 2020

ASTANA – As part of the country’s regional development programmes, 1.4 million square metres of rental housing is scheduled to be built over the next four years,...


In First Speech since Lausanne Deal, Iran’s Zarif Says No Imposed Solution Can Be Sustainable

ASTANA – On April 13, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif started his official two-day visit to Astana, beginning with a lecture in English at the Kazakh...


Kazakhstan, Hungary Create Joint Agricultural Development Fund

Kazakhstan established an agricultural development fund during Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban’s recent visit to Astana, the KazAgro press service reported. KazAgro established the fund jointly with...


Karaganda Methane Production Project to Provide Gas to Astana, Karaganda Region

ASTANA – A methane production project has been launched in the Karaganda coal basin that will help supply gas to the Astana and Karaganda region and in...


Kazakhstan, Iran Discuss Bilateral Cooperation, Regional Security

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev received visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Akorda presidential residence on April 13, emphasising that Kazakhstan...


President Explains Kazakhstan’s Specific Economic Challenges at Youth Forum

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed a youth forum on April 10, drawing attention to Kazakhstan’s achievements during its years of independence and the importance of...


Kashagan to Start Production in 2017, Says Royal Dutch Shell Report

ASTANA – Production at Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan offshore oil field is expected to restart in 2017, Royal Dutch Shell stated in its 2014 annual report. “After the...


Kazakh Naval Force Celebrate 22nd Anniversary

Twenty-two years ago, the Kazakhstan Navy was established as part of the Armed Forces of a new independent state.  The corresponding presidential decree was issued on April...


Kazakh Middle Class Should Become Active in Stock Investments, Say Experts

ASTANA – Stocks aren’t a cultural element in Kazakhstan as in the U.S. and many other Western countries. Experts and private investors, however, consider that the situation...


Nazarbayev University Commercialisation Office Supports Domestic Innovation

ASTANA – At Nazarbayev University, the drive to research and innovate is being balanced and informed by the need to create practical, marketable products – a process...


Kazakhstan, South Korea Work Together in Healthcare

Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Berdybek Saparbayev met with a delegation from the Republic of Korea on March 26 to sign memorandums and discuss ongoing cooperation efforts....


Bolashak Recipients Discuss Life after Graduation

The Bolashak International Scholarship Programme is one of Kazakhstan’s most successful educational initiatives. The programme sends some of Kazakhstan’s best and brightest college students to study abroad...


Job Fair Connects the Disabled to Jobs

ASTANA – The Employment Centre of the Astana Akimat (city administration) recently hosted a job fair for people with disabilities in order to provide them with job...


Kazakhstan’s Unique History Informs Global Anti-Nuclear-Weapons Stance

The current international geopolitical stage and the global economic situation are in the midst of complex times. This period is especially difficult because of the new political...


Rail-Air Connection Can Bring Goods from China to Europe Quickly

In December 2014, the KTZ Express joint stock company implemented the Rail-Air project to transport goods from China to Europe quickly. In an interview with this newspaper,...


Pottery Maker Speaks of Passion for Art and Country

The Kulanshi Modern Art Centre conducted master classes in pottery making and jewellery design March 25 during the Nauryz holidays. The free classes attracted more than 140...


Events in Washington Address Renewed U.S. Policy on Central Asia, Geopolitics in Region

ASTANA – Over two days last week, three events – academic and political – in Washington D.C. addressed geopolitics and strategy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, following...


Kazakh Beauty Wins Grand Prix at Face of Central Asia Model Contest

Astana-based model Innara Yusupova of Astana’s Ok-Models won Grand Prix during the March 17-20 Face of Central Asia model contest and is now preparing to represent Kazakhstan...


Nazarbayev: South Kazakhstan Has Potential to be Fruit, Vegetable Powerhouse

The South Kazakhstan region has the potential to become a major fruit and vegetable producer, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said during a visit to the region on March...


Hockey Star Thoresen Talks Almaty’s Olympic Chances, his Place among Current Greats

This season, Astana Barys defender, Canadian-born Kevin Dallman, who once again plans to play for Kazakhstan’s national team at the World Cup, crossed the 300-point mark in...


Almaty Little League Baseball Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Chingiz Bura, president of the Almaty Little League, gave an exclusive interview to The Astana Times. An Almaty native and entrepreneur, Bura is aiming to revitalise the...


TCO Plans to Press Ahead with Expansion at Tengiz Despite Low Oil Prices

ASTANA – The twofold drop in oil prices on the world market didn’t change the investment strategy of Tengizchevroil. The company, a joint venture between Chevron (50...


National Women’s Ice Hockey Team Remains Undefeated, Gets Promoted to Division I

The Kazakhstan national women’s ice hockey team finished the fourth International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) tournament Division 2A held March 30 – April 5 in Dumfries, Scotland...


Bolashak Switches from One-Year to Six-Plus-Six Month Language Training System

The Bolashak’s Centre for International Programmes (CIP) and the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan recently announced that they would be switching from the current one-year...


Kazakhstan Seeks Italian Business Involvement in Innovation Programme, Says Ambassador in Rome

Italy is one of Kazakhstan’s main European trading partners and the third overall after the Russian Federation and China. Trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $16...


Czech Ambassador Seeks to Share Kazakh Culture with her Countrymen

ASTANA – Czech Ambassador Eliška Žigová is in Kazakhstan to help bring this country and hers together – or, more specifically, to bring Czechs of all kinds...


Kazakhstan Increases Budget for Spring Field Work

A total of 60 billion tenge (US$320.98 million) has been allocated from the state budget this year for spring fieldwork, which is 20 billion tenge (US$107.67 million)...


Kussainov Tours Country with Campaign Meetings

ASTANA – Self-nominated candidate for the April 26 early presidential election Abelgazy Kussainov has launched his election campaign across the country and his election headquarters, headed by...


Astana Welcomes Lausanne Agreements on Iranian Nuclear Programme

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on April 3, commending the news of a consensus reached at the P5+1 talks with Iran...


Agreements with Iran Show Engagement Not Exclusion Give Chance for Development

The news last week from Switzerland of a political framework agreement reached at the talks over Iran’s nuclear programme is a major step forward. No one should...


Business News in Brief

Transportation investments will reach $20 billion by 2020, First Deputy Minister of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan Zhenis Kassymbek said during the March 30 Kazakhstan-Batumi business forum....


Economic News in Brief

Within the framework of the second tranche of the National Fund, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) allocated 50 billion tenge (US$269.3 million) to the second-tier banks...


External News in Brief

Kazakhstan’s maximum electric power export potential is more than 2,000 MW, Mazhilis (lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament) Deputy Askhat Bekenov said at an April 2 Central...


CIS Council of Foreign Ministers Address Border Security, Disaster Prevention

BISHKEK – Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov took part in a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in...


National News in Brief

Starting Jan. 1, 2016, basic registration forms at urban outpatient centres will become fully electronic throughout Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Health and Social Development  has stated. According...


A Tribute to Nurlan Kapparov

I am moved this week to write this open letter of tribute to an exceptional Kazakhstan civil servant, Nurlan Kapparov. The news of his untimely death last...


FM Idrissov Attends Afghanistan-Focused CSTO Council in Dushanbe

DUSHANBE – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov took part in the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Council of Foreign Ministers in...


Kazakhstan’s Largest Int’l Tourism Fair to Celebrate 15th Year in April

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan International Travel Fair (KITF), the largest tourism forum in Kazakhstan, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Celebrations will take place from April...


Astana’s Comedians Have New Platform for Stand-Up Performances

ASTANA – Humour and raw fish rolls are on the menu every two weeks when the Astana stand-up show entertains the audience. The latest live performance, on...


Kazakh FM Identifies Security, Connectivity and Diversification among Key Components of EU Strategy for Region under Review

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov addressed the March 30 French-German regional meeting of ambassadors, thanking them for their work on revising the EU Strategy for...


Air Astana Begins Direct Flights to Paris

ASTANA – Paris has long been one of the most-favourable travel destinations and the increasing number of tourists from Kazakhstan highlights its desirability. Convenient opportunities for travelers,...


Hungarian PM’s Visit, Business Forum Solidify Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during the latter’s April 1 official visit to the country. “We view Hungary as...


Ministry of Finance to Support Conscientious Entrepreneurialism

In an effort to encourage conscionable entrepreneurs, the Kazakh Ministry of Finance will be developing the institute of authorised economic operators. The announcement was made during the...


EBRD to Finance Ore-Processing Plant in Karaganda

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will loan $100 million to finance the construction of a new plant for processing copper and gold...


Final Preparations Underway for 70th Anniversary Great Patriotic War Victory Parade

The last military train loaded with military equipment that will be used in an upcoming military parade dedicated to the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great...


Paris Hosts First Conference on Int’l Decade of Rapprochement of Cultures

Paris hosted the first international conference March 24-25 dedicated to implementing the action plan of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (IDRC) (2013 – 2022)....


Incumbent President Presents Campaign Platform for April 26 Election

ASTANA – Incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev presented his platform for the April 26 early presidential election published by his campaign in an article carried by the Kazakhstanskaya...


Kussainov’s Presidential Campaign to Focus on Environment, Industrial Safety

ASTANA – Self-nominated candidate for the April 26 early presidential election Abelgazy Kussainov presented his environmental and industrial safety oriented platform on March 31. According to Kussainov,...


Communist People’s Party Candidate Pledges Allegiance to Marxism-Leninism, Lashes Out at “Western Consumerism” in Campaign Platform

ASTANA – Turgun Syzdykov, the official candidate of the Communist People’s Party of Kazakhstan (CPPK) in the April 26 early presidential election, presented his election campaign platform...


Semey Engineering Launches New Armoured Fire Fighting Vehicle

ASTANA – The Semey Engineering company, which produces combat and armoured vehicles, has created a new, unique, armoured vehicle for use in fighting fires, Kazakh TV reported...


Kazakh Doctors Make Cardiac Surgery History with Innovative Device

ASTANA – Cardiac surgeon and Chairman of the National Research Cardiac Surgery Centre (NRCSC) Yury Pya performed breakthrough surgery Feb. 28, introducing the Asis device for the...


Kazakh Figure Skater Ten Takes Bronze at Shanghai World Championships

Kazakh bronze medalist at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Denis Ten 10 also took bronze at the March 23-29 World Championships in Shanghai, China. Despite a...


Central Election Commission Focuses on Voters Rights, Says Commission Member

The presidential campaign began in Kazakhstan on March 26. Tatyana Okhlopkova, a member of the Kazakhstan Central Election Commission, explained the rules that apply to candidates and...


Astana Arlans Remained Undefeated, Defeat USA Knockouts in Miami

Kazakh World Series of Boxing (WSB) team Astana Arlans confidently continued its winning streak on March 28 at the Miccosukee Resort in Miami when they defeated the...


Budding Student Environmentalists Treated to Solar, Eco-Tour of the Capital

ASTANA – Students from the Vyacheslavskaya School recently visited the capital where they participated in two competitions dedicated to EXPO 2017, toured the Astana solar plant producing...


Linguists Seek More Accurate, Culturally Sensitive Kazakh-Language Advertising

Due to problems with poor translation of advertising text into Kazakh, Almaty public activists have suggested creating the job of advertising manager in Kazakh language, reported tengrinews.kz....


Kazakhfilm to Release Historical Drama Beginning with the Formation of Kazakh Khanate

ALMATY – As Kazakhstan marks the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate, Kazakhfilm is preparing to start filming a new historical drama series titled “Kazakh Yeli.”  ...


Hungarian National Ballet Stars Bring 3D Swan Lake to Astana Opera

Two stars of the Hungarian National Ballet, Kazakh prima ballerina assoluta Aliya Tanykpaeva and principal dancer Zoltan Olah will perform a new 3D production of Swan Lake...


OSCE Launches Election Observation Mission

ASTANA – Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights announced on March 26 the start of their...


Television Station to Broadcast Election Day Exit Polling

Kazakhstan’s Strategy Social and Political Studies Centre will conduct public polling leading up to the early April 26 presidential election and exit polling on the day of...


China, Kazakhstan Sign $23.6 Billion in Agreements, Including Funds for Nurly Zhol Projects

ASTANA – Thirty-three cooperation agreements worth $23.6 billion were signed during the working visit of Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov to China on March 27, Xinhua News...


Women’s Health Coverage in Kazakhstan Becoming More Comprehensive

ASTANA – As a Central Asian country with a Muslim majority and a name ending in ‘stan,’ Kazakhstan might not be expected, by Western observers, to be...


Astana Airport to Undergo Major Expansion to Handle Increased Passenger Traffic for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Astana’s International Airport is undergoing a major renovation in preparation for hosting the expected influx of tourists for the upcoming EXPO 2017 international exhibition. Those...


EU Planning New Roadmap for Central Asian Strategy

ASTANA – The European Union is working on adapting its 2007 strategy for Central Asia with a greater emphasis on different approaches to relations with individual countries,...


UN Expert on Hazardous Materials Visits Kazakhstan to Assess Rights Record

ASTANA ­– United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Baskut Tuncak will be in Kazakhstan March 26-April 8 for his first official visit to the country. The expert, who...