Kazakh Composer Debuts “The Bruce” Opera at Glasgow Cathedral

ASTANA – Kazakh composer, pianist and doctoral student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin premiered his opera “The Bruce” at Glasgow Cathedral on Feb. 17, reported the...


Kazakhstan, Romania Aim to Boost Energy Investments

ASTANA – At the 17th meeting of the Kazakh-Romanian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation on Feb. 15-16 in Bucharest, Kazakhstan and Romania agreed to establish...


Kazakhstan’s Trade Turnover Reaches $139.8 Billion in 2023

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s trade turnover totaled $139.8 billion last year, the Trade and Integration Ministry’s press service reported on Feb. 18. China has become Kazakhstan’s main trading partner, alongside...


What to Expect from Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship of Aral Sea Rescue Fund

ASTANA – Kazakhstan took over the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) this year. During its three-year presidency of the IFAS, Kazakhstan will determine...


Kazakhstan’s 30% Surge in Foreign Arrivals Reveals Top Five Must-Visit Regions

ASTANA – By the end of the first nine months of 2023, domestic tourist numbers in the country surged by 11%, totaling around 5.4 million individuals, while foreign tourist...


Exploring Cosmos: Stardust, Magnetic Fields, and AI with Kazakh Female Astrophysicist

ASTANA — In the vast expanse of the universe, a realm of cosmic wonders captivates the imagination of scientists and dreamers alike. Dana Alina, an assistant professor in the...


Chinese Adventurer Sets Out on Solo Motorhome Journey Through Kazakhstan

ASTANA – While Kazakhstan and China offer visa-free travel, citizens are taking this opportunity to explore boundlessly. Jason Feng, a 35-year-old Chinese adventurer, has embarked on an ambitious solo...


Kazakh Minister of Culture Unveils Agenda for Heritage Protection and Promotion in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva announced the ministry’s plans to promote traditional heritage and national identity for 2024, during the extended meeting on Feb....


Global Tourism Resilience Day Focuses on Strengthening Sustainable Development

ASTANA – The United Nations’ Global Tourism Resilience Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly on Feb. 17 last year, aims to raise awareness of the need to...


New Venture Fund to Support Central Asian IT Startups

ASTANA – The Qazaqstan Investment Corporation (QIC) private equity fund and the United Kingdom’s Sturgeon Capital management company agreed to establish the Sturgeon Emerging Opportunities II LP venture fund,...


Kazakh Civil Servants to Undergo Leadership Training Through UAE Intergovernmental Agreement 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched a leadership training program for Kazakh civil servants during the World Government Summit on Feb. 12-14 in Dubai, reported the...


Kazakhstan’s Industrial Production Exceeds $8 Million in January

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s January industrial production reached 3.7 billion tenge (US$ 8.3 million), including 1.8 billion tenge ($ 4 million) in the mining industry and 1.5 billion tenge ($...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan as World Middle Power, Government’s New Tasks, Middle Corridor and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles on Kazakhstan published in international media. This week’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan as a world middle power, new government, the...


Key German Companies Create Consortium for Lithium Mining in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Leading German companies – Knauf Group, GP Günter Papenburg AG, Roxtec, as well as the German Institute of Lithium (ITEL) – have joined forces to form a...


Detection Dogs Help to Solve Almost 600 Crimes Since Start of Year

ASTANA – Sniffing dogs have helped Kazakh police detect 575 crimes since the beginning of the year, reported the Ministry of Internal Affairs press service on Feb. 16. According...


Almaty Airport Gears Up to Handle 14 Million Passengers Per Year 

ASTANA – Almaty International Airport is set to increase passenger traffic to 14 million people per year after launching a new terminal in June, reported the Almaty akimat (city...


Kazakh PM Urges Chevron to Prioritize Local Suppliers for Projects Development

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov called on Chevron to increase the share of procurement from local manufacturers at a Feb. 15 meeting with Managing Director for Chevron’s...


Fun Weekend in Astana and Almaty 

ASTANA — Astana and Almaty,  the vibrant cultural hubs of Kazakhstan, are brimming with an eclectic mix of events tailored to diverse tastes. From captivating art exhibitions to thought-provoking...


Kazakh Healthcare Ministry, WHO and World Bank Launch Pandemic Fund in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Ministry of Healthcare of Kazakhstan, the World Health Organization (WHO), with the support of the World Bank, launched the Pandemic Fund in Kazakhstan that aims to...


Elena Rybakina Advances to Qatar TotalEnergies Open Semifinals

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina came back from 4-1 down in the first set and beat Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2 in the Qatar TotalEnergies Open quarterfinals on Feb....


Benelux-Kazakhstan Trade Talks: Exploring Opportunities for Mutual Growth

ASTANA — The inaugural meeting of the BeNeLux-Kazakhstan Trade Talks on Feb. 15 at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business marked a significant step to fostering closer ties and...


Astana Hub: Bridging Borders, Building Futures in Central Asia’s Tech

ASTANA — Nestled within the bustling EXPO district on the left bank of Kazakhstan’s capital, the Astana Hub stands as a beacon of innovation and progress in the heart...


EBRD Invests Nearly $42 Million into Air Astana’s Shares

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested $41.99 million into shares of Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier, Air Astana, acquiring a minority stake of 5% through...


Four Branches of Foreign Universities to Open in Kazakhstan this Year

ASTANA – Four branches of foreign universities will open in Kazakhstan in 2024, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek reported on Feb. 14 on his Telegram channel....


Air Astana Begins Trading on LSE, AIX and KASE

ASTANA – Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s largest airline, kicked off its initial public offering (IPO) on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) on Feb. 15, the AIX’s press service reported. Following...


Kazakhstan, Qatar Sign Commercial Documents Worth $18 Billion

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Qatar inked commercial documents worth $18 billion at a Feb. 14 investment roundtable in Doha as part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Qatar,...


Fifth EU-Central Asia Meeting Addresses Afghanistan’s Situation

ASTANA – The fifth European Union (EU)-Central Asia meeting focusing on Afghanistan took place in Bishkek on Feb. 14, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. Discussions centered around...


President Tokayev Addresses Qatar’s Consultative Assembly

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev became the first foreign leader to address the Consultative Assembly of the State of Qatar (Shura Council) on Feb. 14, reported the Akorda press...


Kazakh President Bolsters Business Ties with Qatar During State Visit to Doha

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Doha continued with meetings with executives of major Qatari business entities, resulting in several agreements on Feb. 14, reported the Akorda...


Kazakhstan Marks Shaken Aimanov’s 110th Anniversary, Honors Pioneer of Kazakh Cinema

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates 110 years of Shaken Aimanov, the acclaimed and versatile Kazakh director, on Feb. 15. Throughout his long career, Aimanov combined light entertainment comedies with topical...


President Tokayev Holds Talks With Emir of Qatar, Addresses Cooperation Prospects 

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed the cooperation prospects during a Feb. 14 meeting at the Amiri Diwan...


Kazakhstan Intends to Strengthen Human Rights, Democratic Reforms  

ASTANA – Kazakhstan intends to prioritize initiatives on gender equality and domestic violence prevention at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) sessions this year, said First Deputy Foreign...


Global Nomads Awards Project Promotes Creative Industries in Central Asia 

ASTANA – The second season of the Global Nomads Awards project has been launched on Feb.13, providing young Central Asian creators the chance to craft collaboration collections, encouraging distinctive...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Join Efforts to Preserve Wildlife of Ustyurt Plateau

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to join efforts in fauna conservation, specifically in the Ustyurt Plateau region lying between the Aral Sea and the Amu Darya River, reported...


Young Kazakh Singer Triumphs in International Competition in US (Video)

ASTANA – Sixteen-year-old Kazakh performer Adelina Mukhametzhanova recently secured victory in the international Radda Rise International Piano and Vocal Competition held in the United States, delivering Latif Khamidi’s composition...


Kazakhstan to Send Trade Mission to Chengdu in March

ASTANA – Kazakhstan to embark on a trade and economic mission to Chengdu (China) to establish cooperation with business partners from China, negotiate with importers, traders and distributors, and ...


Kazakhstan’s Digital Family Card Wins 2024 GovTech Prize in Dubai

ASTANA – At the World Government Summit in Dubai, Kazakhstan’s innovative project, the Digital Family Card, was honored as the best in the Inclusive Digital Transformation category, receiving the...


Astana to Host Central Asia FIRST Championship This Month

ASTANA – Central Asia FIRST Championship, the largest regional robotics competition, will take place on Feb. 23-25 in Astana, reported the Kazakh Education Ministry’s press service. The event will...


Kazakh Entrepreneur’s ARTparty Popularizes Sip and Paint Industry in Europe, Enters London Market This February

ASTANA – The sip and paint experience, a combination of artistic expression and social interaction, enjoys high demand among modern entertainment preferences. One brushstroke at a time, ARTparty founder...


Satbayev University and Penn State Forge Academic Alliance to Advance STEM Collaboration

ASTANA – Satbayev University and Pennsylvania State University signed a general agreement for academic cooperation during the visit of the Satbayev University delegation of senior administrators and faculty to...


Kazakhstan Collaborates with Uzbekistan’s Tour Operator to Attract Foreign Tourists to Turkistan

ASTANA – During the Samarkand Tourism Forum last week, Kazakh Tourism national company signed a memorandum of cooperation with Uzbekistan’s large tour operator Rocket Group to attract tourists from...


Kazakhstan Poised to Lead GovTech Technology Exports

ASTANA – Kazakhstan signed several memorandums of understanding on exporting its government technology (GovTech) solutions during the Digital Almaty 2024 forum on Feb. 1-3, Profit.kz reported on Feb. 13....


Kazakhstan Emerges as World Middle Power for First Time

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has secured a place among the world’s middle powers for the first time, joining the ranks of countries such as India, Israel, and Türkiye, according to...


Kazakhstan’s Economy Grows 3.9% in January

ASTANA – The growth rate of Kazakhstan’s economy stood at 3.9% in January, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baibazarov said at a Feb. 13...


Kazakhstan Announces Dates for Second Astana International Forum

ASTANA – The second annual Astana International Forum (AIF) will take place on June 13-14 and will be chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service...


Kazakhstan Signs Agreement with Presight AI on Supercomputer Creation

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Bagdat Mussin, the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, and Presight AI signed an agreement with the United Arab...


KAZCENT Advances in Peacekeeping Training and Preparation

ASTANA – The Kazakh Parliament has recently sanctioned the deployment of up to 430 peacekeepers for United Nations missions. The Center for Peacekeeping Operations of the Ministry of Defense...


This is Decade of Opportunities for Central Asia and Kazakhstan, Says British Expert

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Central Asia are witnessing a decade of opportunities, but opportunities come with an array of challenges. Yet, the region is doing a good job in...


Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina Wins Abu Dhabi Open, Back to Fourth in WTA Tour’s Singles Ranking

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina rose in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles ranking to fourth place after defeating Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, 6:1, 6:4 in the final of the...


IMF Lauds Kazakhstan’s Economic Resilience, Urges Swift Reforms for Sustainable Growth

ASTANA – The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted Kazakhstan’s economic resilience in the face of external shocks and welcomed the strong growth in 2023 while...