Almaty Mayor presents city development strategy through 2050

NUR-SULTAN – Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bakytzhan Sagintayev recently presented the city development strategy through 2050 to an audience of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University students. “On instructions of...


Salam Air to open direct flights between Omani capital and Almaty, Nur-Sultan

NUR-SULTAN – Omani low-cost carrier Salam Air plans to open Almaty-Muscat direct flights with a frequency of seven flights per week in March 2020 and Nur-Sultan-Muscat in...


Turkic Council approves Uzbekistan’s membership, awards Nazarbayev Higher Order of Turkic World

NUR-SULTAN – Uzbekistan joined the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (CCTS or Turkic Council) Oct. 15 during its seventh summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The summit also...


IAEA LEU Bank in Kazakhstan receives first shipment, becomes operational

NUR-SULTAN – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Low-Enriched-Uranium (LEU) Fuel Bank in Kazakhstan received Oct. 17 its first shipment of low-enriched uranium. The LEU Bank is...


French company SUEZ set to build two landfills in Almaty Region

NUR-SULTAN – French company SUEZ and Kazakh Keremet Projects are planning to build two solid waste landfills near Almaty and in the Almaty region, reported the Almaty...


Capital authorities offer support to people with disabilities

NUR-SULTAN – The capital akimat (administration) offers rehabilitation, specific social services, free use of public transportation and the possibility of employment to its 25,715 residents with disabilities,...


Kazakh President proposes single visa regime for CIS

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed at the Oct. 11 meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State in Ashgabat to introduce the Commonwealth Visa,...


Turkestan completes new media centre, akimat building

NUR-SULTAN – Turkestan’s new media centre and regional akimat (administration) building projects were completed Oct. 9, reported Otyrar.kz. With both structures finished, only the work in the...


Nur-Sultan, Almaty among 10 most popular tourist cities in CIS

NUR-SULTAN – The capital and Almaty are among the top ten most attractive tourist cities in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), reported turstat.com. The website ranks...


Kazakh figure skaters win bronze medal, secure spot in World Championship 2020

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh figure skaters Maxine Weatherby and Temirlan Yerzhanov took the bronze at the Denis Ten Memorial Challenge, scoring enough points to participate in next year’s...


Kazakh economy grows 4.3 percent in first nine months of 2019

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan enjoyed a 4.3 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth from January to September, announced Minister of National Economy Ruslan Dalenov at an Oct. 14...


Nur-Sultan hosts UN urban tourism summit

NUR-SULTAN – Nur-Sultan hosted Oct. 9-10 the United National World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Summit on Urban Tourism. More than 700 delegates from 30 countries gathered to explore...


Fifteen countries join Green Bridge Initiative, sharing ideas and learning with Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – Fifteen countries have joined the Kazakh Green Bridge green economy transition initiative, International Centre for Green Technologies and Investment Projects Management Board Deputy Chairperson Gaukhar...


North Kazakhstan farmers harvest first major soybean crop 

NUR-SULTAN – Farmers in the North Kazakhstan Region have begun harvesting the first major soybean crop under Northern Soybean state programme. Kazakhstan currently imports soybeans from Russia,...


One million trees to be planted in Kazakhstan as part of nationwide campaign

NUR-SULTAN – One million trees will be planted in Kazakhstan as part of the nationwide environment campaign #Birge #JasylQazaqstan (which means Together and GreenKazakhstan).  The campaign started...


Regional experts adopt joint programme to address land degradation issue in Central Asia 

NUR-SULTAN – More than 70 scientists, politicians and experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan developed a common programme to solve problems related to biodiversity...


Kazakhstan ranks 55th in Global Competitiveness Index, moves up four spots

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan moved up four spots to 55th out of 141 countries in the Global Competitiveness Index published Oct. 9 by the World Economic Forum. The...


Karaganda-Balkhash highway to open in 2020

NUR-SULTAN – The Karaganda-Balkhash highway will be opened in 2020 and this year, 40 kilometres of the roads will be opened, reported Oct. 8 Primeminister.kz. The Karaganda-Temirtau...


Kazakh economy attracts $900 million in investments during business forums in Berlin, Paris

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan reached approximately $900 million in investment project agreements with German and French companies during recent business forums in Berlin and Paris. The Kazakh delegation,...


Air Astana unveils first Airbus A321LR aircraft

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh national air carrier Air Astana unveiled Oct. 9 its first Airbus A321 Long Range (LR) aircraft at the Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in the...


Forum examines effective gender equality and sex education for Kazakh youth

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh public health and family agencies and organisations recently sponsored an event in Nur-Sultan where adults and young people discussed issues of gender equality and...


Mahatma Gandhi, A Man of All Times

India is commemorating 150th birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi. Born on 2 October, 1869, Gandhi overcame the ordinary circumstances of his...


Kazakhstan’s third 100 New Faces project looks for young, successful role models 

NUR-SULTAN – The third annual 100 New Faces of Kazakhstan project has changed its application requirements and revised procedures to select the top 100 individuals whose contributions...


Kazakh FM urges multilateral approach on Afghanistan at OSCE Roundtable

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi called for a multilateral approach to achieve stability in Afghanistan Oct. 9 at the Organisation for Security and...


Almaty to host Denis Ten Memorial Challenge 

NUR-SULTAN – The ISU (International Skating Union) has announced the first Denis Ten Memorial Challenge will be held Oct. 10-13 in Almaty. “One of Denis’s main goals...


AIFC marks World Investors Week with how-to forum on doing business with the centre 

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and Almaty Akimat (administration) hosted the Almaty Financial Forum as part of World Investors Week (WIW). The event contributed...


Pavlodar musicologist owns world’s largest collection of gramophone records

NUR-SULTAN – Musicologist Naum Shafer, who is also a professor, literary critic, writer and composer, has assembled the world’s largest collection of gramophone records (not to be...


National library for visually impaired puts young minds to challenge specialised libraries 

NUR-SULTAN – The National Library for People with Blindness and Visual Impairment gathered young librarians from all regional specialised libraries Sept. 26-27 for its first nationwide meeting...


Kazakh President, Foreign Minister meet Russian FM in Nur-Sultan 

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed bilateral cooperation during Lavrov’s Oct. 8-9 visit to...


President urges acceleration of capital city development, calls for infrastructure improvements

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the most pressing challenges facing the Kazakh capital and directed city officials and other government bodies to fix them during a...


US-based Valley Irrigation expands to Kazakhstan, seeks to introduce new irrigation technologies

NUR-SULTAN – Valley Irrigation, the U.S.-based world leader in irrigation technologies, is seeking to help Kazakhstan ensure the efficient use of water resources, share advanced technologies with...


Second International Writers Forum focuses on translation problems

NUR-SULTAN – The second International Writers Forum in Almaty Sept. 25-27 focused on translation issues through the theme “Discovering the world – opening to the world. Problems...


National news in brief

Up to one million trees will be planted in Kazakhstan as part of the national tree planting campaign, reported the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources...


External news in brief

The Deputy Prime Ministers of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Singapore signed the Free Trade Agreement and Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the Eurasian...


Economic news in brief

The gross output of agriculture, forestry and fisheries for the first eight months of 2019 increased 3.6 percent to two trillion tenge (US$5.15 billion) year-on-year (yoy). Production...


Business news in brief

Kazakhstan has terminated the contract with Spanish investor Talgo at the Kazakh plant that produces train wagons, Vice Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development Berik Kamaliev announced...


Tajik Language and Culture Centre opens at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

NUR-SULTAN – Tajik Language and Culture centre opened Oct. 1 in the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Tajik Consul General Bakhodur Nazir and the Kazakh National University Provost...


Rakhat expands its presence in international confectionery market

NUR-SULTAN – Rakhat Company has continued to maintain its leadership in the Kazakh confectionery market in the first half of the year, modernising internal policy and entering...


Kazakh airlines carry 5.6 million passengers in first eight months of 2019

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh airlines carried 5.6 million passengers in the first eight months of 2019, showing a 1.8 percent increase over 2018, said Kazakh Minister of Industry...


Golovkin defeats Derevyanchenko, wins IBF and IBO titles

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh boxer Gennady Golovkin won Oct. 6 a fight for the IBF and IBO middleweight champion titles against the Ukrainian boxer Sergei Derevyanchenko. The fight...


Kazakh jewellery designers make women feel unique with “affordable luxury” products  

NUR-SULTAN – AZEL Urban & Unique Jewelry is the fashion project of two creative friends, stylist Asel Junus and architect Zauresh Kazybayeva. The duo created the line...


Kazakh government allocates record amount for social assistance 

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan increased social spending 28 percent in the first eight months of 2019 over the same period 2018, reported Ranking.kz. The country spent 2.3 trillion...


Japanese company to help protect Ural River bank in Atyrau Region

NUR-SULTAN – Japan-based Tokyo Rope International Inc. recently opened a representative office in Atyrau. The company will begin protecting the Ural River shore next year and also...


AIFC yearly report indicates key achievements, projects 

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) yearly report presented Aug. 29 reviewed the centre’s key projects and achievements for 2018-2019. Among the key projects, the...


Chechen-Ingush ethno cultural centre in Semei assists all minorities in preserving their identity

NUR-SULTAN – Vainakh (Our people) Chechen-Ingush ethno cultural centre in Semei helps all ethnic minorities to preserve their traditions and identity, said leader Sultan Kartoyev.  Under the...


Kazakh President affirms support for multilateralism in ‘a world of disquiet’ during first address to UNGA

The opportunity for global leaders to meet as they did in New York at the United Nations last month is always significant. But what made the formal...


Tokayev outlines Asia strategy, promises multilateral approach to global issues at Valdai Meeting

NUR-SULTAN – Positioned as a transit and trade bridge between Europe and Asia, located at the crossroads of Islamic, Confucian and East Christian civilizations, Kazakhstan plans to...


Kazakhstan plans to apply tax incentives to develop print media 

NUR-SULTAN – State Politics in Mass Media Department Director Bahniyaz Karashina announced the state plan to apply tax incentives to develop Kazakh print media at the Sept....


Kazakhstan grants visa-free status for 12 more countries to attract investment, tourists, businesses

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan has granted visa-free entrance to 12 additional countries – Bahrain, Colombia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Oman, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the Vatican and...


Kazakh capital to buy 100 electric buses 

NUR-SULTAN – The capital akimat (administration) will be purchasing 100 new electric buses from the joint venture between Chinese Yutong and Kostanai-based SaryarkaAvtoProm. The buses will save...


Young runners debut at start of annual Almaty Women’s Race 

NUR-SULTAN – Girls 10-14 debuted at the start line Sept. 28 of the annual Almaty Women’s Race in Atakent Park. Rima Grankina took the top spot among...


Capital Rotarians open second inclusive playground 

NUR-SULTAN – U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan William H. Moser cut the red ribbon Oct. 3 to officially open Kunshyaq, the capital’s second inclusive playground accessible to children...


Online document processing, soft loans, preferential lending expected to boost Kazakh domestic businesses

NUR-SULTAN – Online document processing, soft loans and preferential lending are some of the measures introduced by the government to stimulate the country’s businesses. Signing documents to...


Situation of children in Kazakhstan: a lot of progress but more to be done, says UNICEF representative 

NUR-SULTAN – In her recent open letter to the world’s children, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore stressed the need to work with today’s...


Kazakh government alters procurement processes to focus on domestic suppliers 

NUR-SULTAN – Construction, IT and electronic materials for government use will only be available after a pre-selection stage, said First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance...


Nazarbayev University hosts ClimateLaunchpad 2019 national finals 

NUR-SULTAN – Nazarbayev University recently hosted the national finals of the ClimateLaunchpad 2019 green technologies entrepreneurship ideas international competition, reported science-fund.kz. “ClimateLaunchpad provides a great opportunity to...


Kulanshi gallery in Kazakh capital hosts exhibition of Soviet-era art, posters

NUR-SULTAN – Kulanshi Forte Bank Nur-Sultan art gallery launched Sept. 26 an exhibition of restored Soviet-era paintings dating to the 1950s and Soviet posters from the 1970s...


Madrid hosts Spanish-language presentation of Kazakh literature anthologies

NUR-SULTAN – The Cervantes Institute recently hosted a presentation of anthologies of modern Kazakh prose and poetry published in Spanish at its headquarters in Madrid, Kazinform reports....


97 percent of rural settlements to have broadband internet access by end of 2022

NUR-SULTAN – Ninety-seven percent of rural settlements or more than 5,000 villages will gain broadband internet access by the end of 2022 and satellite technology will be...


Modernising sanitary, phytosanitary standards offers opportunity to expand food trade

Agriculture and livestock exports present huge opportunities for countries in Central Asia. Kazakhstan, already one of the world’s largest wheat exporters, selling over nine million tons annually,...


President Tokayev calls for removal of trade barriers within EAEU, as union signs FTA with Singapore

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for a removal of trade barriers within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) during the Oct. 2 Supreme Eurasian Economic Council...


Kazakhstan to increase support for volunteers in 2020 Year of Volunteer

NUR-SULTAN – Aliya Galimova, Chair of the Committee on Civil Society Affairs of the Ministry of Information and Social Development introduced the draft action plan for the...


Astana exchange lists Russia’s most traded exchange-traded fund 

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana International Exchange (AIX) listed Russia’s oldest and most traded exchange-traded fund (ETF) Sept. 24 and two days later, Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund...


Lukoil opens lubricant production plant in Almaty Region

NUR-SULTAN – Lukoil, the Russian multinational energy corporation, has invested more than $9 million to construct a lubricant production plant in the Almaty Region. The company plans...


Infrastructure work complete at Zhambyl Region ski resort

NUR-SULTAN – Water, gas and electrical access work, as well as construction of the entrance highway, have been completed at Karalmy Resort in the Zhambyl Region. The...


Courses on learning process from renowned US author, professor are available in Kazakh 

NUR-SULTAN – More than 1,000 people in Almaty and the capital attended public lectures and participated in training on the way neurobiology is changing the learning process...


Kazakhstan, Rwanda need direct flights that can strengthen bilateral relations through trade, industry, says envoy

NUR-SULTAN – The relatively young diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Rwanda have a great potential to flourish and materialise in mutually beneficial agreements in trade, industry and...


EBRD expands funding for renewable energy programme in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide additional funds of up to $328 million to support Kazakhstan as a regional leader in...


More than 500 cross-country runners compete in Race Nation Burabay

NUR-SULTAN – More than 500 cross-country runners from Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey and Tajikistan participated Sept. 29 in the Race Nation Burabay at the ski-jumping complex in Shchuchinsk,...


Kazakh IT community to discuss country’s digital ecosystem at Digital Bridge 2019 international forum

NUR-SULTAN – Leading IT specialists and technology entrepreneurs will take a comprehensive look at Kazakhstan’s digital ecosystem at the Oct. 24-25 Digital Bridge 2019 international technology forum...


Kazakhstan receives ICAO award for progress in resolving aviation security

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan received Sept. 25 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council President Certificate for progress in resolving aviation security and oversight deficiencies at the 40th ICAO...


First President’s Foundation, Kazakh government outline renewable energy project plans at International Renewable Energy Summit 

NUR-SULTAN – The First President’s Foundation will support green economy development in Kazakhstan by implementing new renewable energy projects such as wind and solar-powered stations, training specialists...


More than 20,000 people sign petition demanding closure of Almaty Zoo 

NUR-SULTAN – More than 20,000 people have signed an online petition at change.org demanding the Almaty Zoo be shut down. The petition is titled “We demand to...


Kazakhstan is best for pilgrimage, cultural-historical and gastronomic tourism in autumn, says travel blogger

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan is a country where one can experience all four seasons, yet many tourist resorts and activities are only available in summer or winter. What...


Person with visual impairment dedicated to helping others is among Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces

NUR-SULTAN – The founder of an organisation that assists people with visual impairment, such as himself, meet the challenges of everyday life has been named one of...


Hong Kong business delegation visits Shymkent, expresses interest in partnerships 

NUR-SULTAN – A business delegation of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council visited Shymkent, Kazakhstan’s third largest city, Sept. 18-19 to set up partnerships and expand bilateral...


Karaganda Region launches third solar power plant 

NUR-SULTAN – The Karaganda Region recently launched a 50-megawatt solar power plant in the village of Agadyr, Shetsky District. The Karaganda Region has become a leader in...


Government to improve, expand Karaganda Region tourism facilities 

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Government plans to build new resorts in the Karaganda Region as well as improve the Balkhash Resort and other priority tourism areas in...


KazEnergy Eurasian Forum discusses energy market in face of global financial challenges

NUR-SULTAN – The 12th KazEnergy Eurasian Forum opened Sept. 26 in Nur-Sultan with discussions on the future of energy and the role Kazakhstan will play in that...


Capital akimat adds lighting, other infrastructure improvements 

NUR-SULTAN – The Nur-Sultan Akimat (city administration) over the past few months have added new streetlights, courtyards, playgrounds and other public facilities to many parts of the...


British Library hosts English-language presentation of Kazakh literature 

NUR-SULTAN – The British Library in London hosted Sept. 25 a presentation of modern Kazakh poetry and prose anthologies, which were translated to English as part of...


Kazakh Accounts Committee proposes reducing air, railway transportation subsidies

NUR-SULTAN – The Accounts Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of the National Budget recommends reducing the subsidisation of air and railway transportation in the draft national budget...


Google employee named one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces

NUR-SULTAN – Kuat Yessenov, a Kazakh now living in the United States and working for Google, was recently named one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces for his...


ADB celebrates 25 years of partnership with Kazakhstan, invests over $5 billion 

NUR-SULTAN – As the Asian Development Bank (ADB) celebrates 25 years of its partnership with Kazakhstan, the bank has invested more than $5 billion in sovereign loans,...


Astana Opera presents “Don Carlos” opera for first time in Nur-Sultan

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana Opera will present for the first time Oct. 11 and Oct. 13 “Don Carlos”, a five-act grand opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi based...


Ambassadors Spouses Association vice president to host charity auction in Nur-Sultan 

NUR-SULTAN – Ambassadors Spouses Association (ASA) Vice President and wife of United Nations Resident Coordinator Hitomi Shimomura will host the JP to KZ (Japan to Kazakhstan) charity...


Kazakh athletes win four Asia Championship medals in trap shooting

NUR-SULTAN – Four Kazakh athletes won medals in trap shooting Sept. 24-25 at the 9th Asia Championship in Baiserke village near Almaty. Two medals were won by...


Taraz administration to build Kazakhstan’s largest tourism and history centre 

NUR-SULTAN – The Taraz akimat (city administration) is building what will be the largest tourist centre in Kazakhstan.  The city administration is building the Shakhristan historical and...


Kazakh National Museum to present masterpieces of ancient and medieval art in Kuala Lumpur 

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh National Museum will present “The Great Steppe: History and Culture” exhibition at the Department of Museums of Malaysia Oct. 1-31 in Kuala Lumpur....


Kazakh President reaffirms commitment to nuclear-weapons-free world, international dialogue at UNGA

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed his country’s commitment to seeking a nuclear-weapons-free world in his address to the Sept. 24 74th Session of the General...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan to cooperate in developing pilgrimage tourism

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will cooperate in developing pilgrimage tourism, Uzbekistan Tourism Development Committee head specialist Saidkomil Khalkhidjayev told 24.kz. Specifically, new roads and airway routes...


Turkestan to add smart bus stops, open air movie theatre, glass police booths

NUR-SULTAN – Smart bus stops, an open-air movie theatre and glass police booths will be installed in Turkestan by 2020-2021, Akim (Mayor) Rashid Ayupov told tengrinews.kz Sept....


More than 77,000 participate in Bastau Business, Zhas Kasipker programmes

NUR-SULTAN – More than 77,000 individuals have graduated from the Bastau Business (Start Business) and Zhas Kasipker (Young Entrepreneur) programmes since their launch in 2017, said Atameken...


Statement of Fourth Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments

Adopted on September 24, 2019 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan   We, the participants of the 4th Meeting of Speakers of the Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments under the theme of...


Nazarbayev urges Eurasian parliaments to be more active in policy decisions and international cooperation during parliamentarians meeting in Nur-Sultan

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s First President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, urged the national parliaments of Eurasia to be more involved in shaping their nations’ policies and in strengthening international cooperation...


Talan Towers Executive Hub offers serviced offices

NUR-SULTAN – Nur-Sultan’s latest serviced offices, for-lease office spaces opened Sept. 20 in Talan Towers. The Talan Towers Executive Hub is a 1,276-square metre space on the...


Kazakh anti-nuclear activist shares artworks, non-proliferation message in Tokyo 

TOKYO – Kazakh nuclear disarmament activist and ATOM Project Honorary Ambassador Karipbek Kuykov presented his paintings depicting the horrors of nuclear weapons testing and the use of...


External news in brief

 The Kazakh Foreign Ministry concluded the results of the second session of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) General Assembly in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The meeting...


Business news in brief

Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court Chief Justice Lord Harry Woolf presented his book “A Vision of the AIFC” at the court Sept. 17 to the legal...


National news in brief

The Lukoil Lubricants Central Asia plant was launched Sept. 20 in the Ili district of the Almaty Region. The facility, with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes of...