Anti Smog air pollution mask company founders fund air quality research, raise awareness

NUR-SULTAN – Anti Smog air pollution mask company founders Dayana Tazhimuratova and Aisulu Tystykbayeva fund Kazakh air quality research and work on ways to increase awareness and...


IAEA LEU Bank completes second shipment of low enriched uranium 

NUR-SULTAN – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) received the second and final shipment of low-enriched uranium (LEU) Dec. 10 at its LEU Bank, established in Ust-Kamenogorsk,...


UNICEF launches training for working with HIV-infected children

NUR-SULTAN – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Kazakh Ministries of Healthcare and Labour and Social Protection of the Population opened a three-day training programme Dec. 9...


Kazakh National Museum hosts Great Steppe Heritage event

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh National Museum recently hosted Great Steppe Heritage, a celebration dedicated to the museum’s fifth anniversary, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and...


Tokayev calls for comprehensive national policy to improve the lives of Kazakh youth

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged during a December 10 ceremony marking the end of the Year of Youth and the start of the Year of...


Kazakhstan inks agreements with agribusiness giants Tyson Foods, Valmont Industries  

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin oversaw the signing of agreements with American agribusiness titans Tyson Foods and Valmont Industries Dec. 9 during his working visit...


Economic news in brief

In the first nine months of 2019, Kazakh National Fund’s assets reached $59.34 billion, a 2.3-percent increase year-on-year (yoy). The assets reached a 34-percent share of the...


External news in brief

Kazakhstan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted a roundtable Dec. 5 on the country’s experience in repatriating its citizens from conflict zones and their reintegration into...


National news in brief

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is developing its extensive migration profile with the International Organisation for Migration, reported the ministry press service Dec. 5. A...


Business news in brief

Kazakhstan will gradually abandon plastic bags, reported informburo.kz. Retail chains will be required to charge their customers for standard plastic bags with a density of less than...


Tokayev discusses economic cooperation with German leaders, offers special conditions to German investors

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed economic cooperation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German entrepreneurs during Tokayev’s Dec. 5-6 official visit...


Thousands of people visit annual diplomatic Christmas Charity Bazaar for cultural exchange, goodwill

NUR-SULTAN – “I am near Switzerland! Let’s meet in Iraq in ten minutes,” is a sentence that would make sense only if one could time travel or...


Experts suggest Kazakhstan limit external debts

NUR-SULTAN – Experts suggested at the recent Strategic Initiatives Forum in Nur-Sultan that Kazakhstan should cease relying on external debts. “We suggest there is a need for...


Balandin wins gold, silver at US open swimming championship

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Olympic champion Dmitriy Balandin won silver Dec. 9, finishing a 200-metre distance in 2 minutes, 09 seconds 71 hundredths at the men’s breaststroke final...


New Hungarian ambassador in Nur-Sultan continues strong relations

NUR-SULTAN – Newly-appointed Hungarian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Antal Heizer is continuing the embassy’s work to strengthen political, economic and cultural cooperation between the nations. “The relations between...


Kazakh government plans to urbanise 62 percent of population by 2025

NUR-SULTAN – In the new State Programme for the Development of Regions for 2020-2025, the Kazakh government set the goal of urbanising 62 percent of the country’s...


Kazakh Independence Day also celebrates three decades of international partnerships 

On Dec. 16, Kazakhstan once again celebrates its independence. Twenty-eight years ago, First President Nursultan Nazarbayev brought our nation into a new era. Thanks to the considerable...


Nur-Sultan storm sewer problem to be fully solved by 2030

NUR-SULTAN – The capital will be outfitted with a complete drainage system by 2030, said Marhabat Zhayymbetov, Chairman of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructural Development’s Committee...


Kazakh National Bank issues limited edition coins

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh National Bank issued a limited edition coin collection Nov. 27 in denominations of 100 tenge (US$0.26), 200 tenge (US$0.52) and 500 tenge (US$1.30). The...


Kazakhstan’s light industry boosts production by 18.9 percent in 2019

NUR-SULTAN – The volume of production of light industry products in Kazakhstan increased by 18.9 percent over the first 10 months of this year compared to the...


Shymkent and Turkestan Region launch new factories

NUR-SULTAN – Prime Minister Askar Mamin launched textile and food plants Dec. 5 in Shymkent and the Turkestan Region, reported Kazakh Invest press service. His visit to...


HydroPlat project hopes to make hydrogen-powered cars more affordable

NUR-SULTAN – HydroPlat’s team project, the Clean Mobility Award winner at the ClimateLaunchPad Global Grand Final Nov. 19, could potentially make hydrogen cars significantly cheaper, providing a...


Interference by relatives most common factor in divorce among Kazakh couples – study

NUR-SULTAN – Interfering relatives and a lack of moral restrictions were cited as the most common causes of divorce among Kazakh couples, a study published Nov. 28...


Air Astana completes first Airbus A320neo C-check at Almaty Airport base

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh national carrier Air Astana completed its first independent C-check of an Airbus A320neo aircraft, a base maintenance check, at Almaty Airport base, reported the...


Friends of Denis Ten ice show comes to Nur-Sultan Dec. 14

NUR-SULTAN – The Friends of Denis Ten ice show will take place Dec. 14 in the capital, reported the show’s Instagram account @denistenshow. This event is slated...


Nazarbayev named honorary chair of Central Asian Consultative Meeting, proposes solidifying cooperation

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s First President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, attended the second Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 29, where he...


Kazakhstan plans seven new sports facilities to promote athletics 

NUR-SULTAN – Training coaches, investing in regional facilities and a fair sports culture are important for developing Kazakh athletics, said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe during a...


Kazakh National Olympic Committee names country’s best athletes for 2019

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh National Olympic Committee recognised the country’s best athletes for 2019 Nov. 30 during the Altyn Samgau awards ceremony in the capital. In traditional...


Kazakh pension system should be reformed using Singaporean model, says expert

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh pension system should be reformed using the Singapore model, said Centre for Strategic Development senior partner Olzhas Khudaibergenov Nov. 20 during the second...


Saryarqa gas pipeline construction in Nur-Sultan to be completed in December

NUR-SULTAN – The Saryarqa gas pipeline construction is nearing completion, said Vice Minister of Energy Murat Zhurebekov at a Nov. 20 press conference. “Work on the construction...


Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering delivers new batch of armoured vehicles to defence ministry

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) delivered a series of Arlan 4×4 mine-protected armoured wheeled vehicles (AWVs) Nov. 28 to the Ministry of Defence and Special Services...


Narxoz University launches dual degree programmes with universities from France, Russia and UK

NUR-SULTAN – Narxoz University is launching dual degree programmes beginning next year with leading partner institutions including Birkbeck (University of London), the University of Coventry and Keele...


AIFC’s BCPD holds EdTech Camp, aims to improve educational technologies

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Bureau for Continuing Professional Development (BCPD) held an EdTech Camp Nov. 29 to improve the country’s educational technologies through...


ECO Networks offers Kazakh businesses a way to make recycling profitable

NUR-SULTAN – Discussions of environmental responsibility have now permeated Kazakh society and the one-year-old ECO Networks project aims to change how people dispose of waste, starting with...


Yessil Winter Festival draws winter sports fans, competitors in Nur-Sultan 

NUR-SULTAN – The Yessil Winter Festival took place Nov. 30 in the Kazakh capital. The city hopes to popularise winter sports among its residents with the festival,...


UAPF head cautious about applying Singapore pension system in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – Unified Accumulative Pension Fund (UAPF) head Zhanat Kurmanov, speaking during the second Strategic Initiatives Forum Nov. 20 in the capital, suggested the Singapore pension system...


Public discussion, maintenance and communication are key to saving Nur-Sultan’s architectural heritage, says prominent architect

NUR-SULTAN – Public discussion, building maintenance and communication are necessary to save the capital’s archeological heritage, said former Tselinograd (Soviet name of Nur-Sultan) Region head architect and...


Center for Research and Consulting seeks to make Kazakhstan attractive to talented individuals 

NUR-SULTAN – The Center for Research and Consulting (CRC) is a relatively young and growing company with the vision of a better Kazakhstan. Its specialisation lies in...


Kazakh government increases budget expenditures $106 million for 2020-2022 

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh government will add 40.8 billion tenge (US$105.5 million) to its budget expenditures for 2020-2022, made possible by redistributing budget programme expenses, said Minister...


Schengen visa applications from Kazakh citizens increase 26 percent since 2016

NUR-SULTAN – Schengen visa applications from Kazakh citizens have increased 26 percent in the last two years, reported Schengen Visa Info. After a five-year low of 124,735...


Ring road opens around Nur-Sultan, car engine heating project launches 

NUR-SULTAN – The 87-kilometre ring road opened around the capital Nov. 29  will increase transport system efficiency, reduce travel time by raising the speed limit and improve...


Kazakhstan’s third peacekeeping unit starts mission in Lebanon

NUR-SULTAN – The third consolidated unit of Kazakh peacekeeping forces started its operations Nov. 27 as part in the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon, reported the...


Kazakh Tourism launches tour for Chinese travel bloggers  

NUR-SULTAN – Thirteen of China’s most influential travel, lifestyle, fashion and shopping bloggers and public opinion leaders arrived in Almaty Nov. 13 to tell their followers about...


EU launches three new programmes in Central Asia

NUR-SULTAN – Three programmes promoting regional integration in Central Asia were launched at the EU’s regional conference on Enhanced Integration for Prosperity in Central Asia Nov. 28....


Tokayev signs law making ministers and governors responsible for corruption among subordinates 

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law making ministers and akims (governors) responsible for corruption among their direct subordinates Nov. 28. The law introduces amendments...


FC Astana beats Manchester United

NUR-SULTAN – Astana Football Club beat the U.K.’s Manchester United 2-1 Nov. 28 in a Europa League fifth group match in the capital. The win was Astana’s...


Almaty region leads Kazakhstan in investment projects

NUR-SULTAN – The Almaty region is implementing the most investment projects in the country, with 34 projects worth $3.8 billion planned for the next few years, the...


Kazakhstan hosts International Turkic Writing Revival Day

NUR-SULTAN – Almaty, Kyzylorda and the capital hosted International Turkic Writing Revival Day events Nov. 25, reported the Kazakh National Museum press service. The date is linked...


Kazakhstan celebrates Day of First President

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan celebrated the Day of the First President Dec. 1 with concerts, thematic exhibitions and firework displays. The holiday, established in recognition of Nursultan Nazarbayev’s...


Akmola Region governor organises first investors’ hour to improve region’s investment climate

NUR-SULTAN – Akmola Region Akim (Governor) Yermek Marzhikpaev organised the first investor hour and personal entrepreneurs’ reception Nov. 27 at the Atameken Regional Chamber of Entrepreneurs.  During...


Barys HC celebrates 20th anniversary with 5-1 win over Dynamo Minsk

NUR-SULTAN – The capital’s Barys Hockey Club celebrated its 20-year anniversary and honoured its greatest players in a pregame ceremony Dec. 1 at Barys Arena. The jerseys...


‘Ayka’ honoured at China’s Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers film festival

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh-made and Oscar-shortlisted film “Ayka” continues to win the hearts of international audiences, this time in China, where the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers...


Campaign against domestic violence underway in Nur-Sultan

NUR-SULTAN – The national awareness raising campaign, “16 Days Against Violence,” launched in the Kazakh capital Nov. 25. The campaign aims to promote human rights work on...


Nur-Sultan hosts Not Just a Movie International Short Films Festival

NUR-SULTAN – Not Just a Movie International Short Films Festival, a collaborative project of Vosmerka.kz and the Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Kazakhstan, opened Nov. 29 in the...


Tokayev, Zheenbekov hold talks on wide-ranging cooperation, EAEU in Bishkek

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Nov. 27 for negotiations with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Zheenbekov. “We strive to find and...


Kazakh social workers to start adaptation course for children returned from Iraq

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s humanitarian operation on Nov. 27 brought 14 children back to their homeland from an Iraqi prison, where they have been living for two years...


Kazakhstan repatriates 14 children from Iraq

BAGHDAD – Kazakhstan returned 14 children from Iraq Nov. 27 after a nearly nine-month-long effort by the Kazakh government with the support of Iraqi officials. The mission,...


Kazakh athlete wins gold medal at UAE Jiu-jitsu Championship 

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh athlete Moldir Mekenbayeva won a gold medal at the World Professional Adult and Para Jiu-jitsu Championship Nov. 16-24 in Abu Dhabi.  “This year, the...


Astana Ballet finishes first California tour

NUR-SULTAN – Astana Ballet performed for the first time on the United States West Coast Nov. 19-22, reported its press service. Three California cities – Los Angeles,...


Inclusion support office opens at Nur-Sultan school

NUR-SULTAN – The inclusion support office opened Nov. 27 at new school-lyceum No. 88 is the sixth under the Every Child Deserves a School project launched by...


Baiterek Holding creates favourable investment climate, suggests ways to minimise risks in Kazakh market

NUR-SULTAN – Baiterek National Managing Holding attracts investments by ensuring support to foreign investors from the initial stages of project development through implementation, Baiterek Chair Aidar Arifkhanov...


Baikonur to be designated free economic zone 

NUR-SULTAN – A free economic zone will be created at the Baikonur Cosmodrome to attract tourists to the world’s first and largest operational space launch facility, Kyzylorda...


Thirty-one agreements worth $2.3 billion inked at Almaty Investment Forum 2019

ALMATY – Thirty-one agreements worth $2.3 billion were signed between governmental bodies and the business community Nov. 27 at Almaty Investment Forum 2019. The major deals included...


Business news in brief

The Nur-Sultan Department for Investment and Enterprise Development has devised a programme allowing large retailers to obtain soft loans in exchange for maintaining prices on certain products,...


External news in brief

The Kazakh capital will host Dec. 10-12 the 14th round of the Syrian peace talks, Kazakh Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aibek Smadiyarov announced Nov. 25. The talks brokered...


Yerzhan Maksim places second in Junior Eurovision Song Contest

NUR-SULTAN – Yerzhan Maksim, a young talent representing Kazakhstan at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Gliwice, Poland, took second place in the competition, scoring 227...


Kazakhstan’s economic diplomacy: on solid footing and with clear goals in mind

Our country pursues a peaceful and friendly foreign policy towards all states with which it has established diplomatic relations. There are no substantive contradictions in the area...


First Presidents’ Day celebrates Nazarbayev, the people and the nation

When First President’s Day was celebrated across Kazakhstan last December, the country had no idea of the historic events which lay just ahead.  Just more than three...


Now is the time to accelerate gender equality in the Asia-Pacific 

Great strides have been taken to empower women and girls in the Asia-Pacific region since the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing adopted an ambitious global...


PIAAC releases results of international survey of adult skills

NUR-SULTAN – The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) published Nov. 15 an update to its 2013 report as the results from the third...


Bashkir Ethno-Cultural Centre promotes Bashkir culture

NUR-SULTAN – Akbuzat Bashkir Ethno-Cultural Centre in the capital, though relatively new, is active and motivated to promote its culture and traditions, especially among the youth. In...


National news in brief

The number of Kazakh children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) could reach close to 60,000, according to experts at the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, which implements the Autism....


Economic news in brief

Kazakhstan’s local budget revenues jumped 19.4 percent in the first nine months of 2019 to a record 4.2 trillion tenge (US$10.89 billion). The revenue plan was exceeded...


Nur-Sultan’s embassies donate baskets of national products as sponsors present gifts to Dec. 1 Christmas Charity Bazaar

NUR-SULTAN – The Ambassadors Spouses Astana (ASA) association presented baskets of products and goods donated by embassies and sponsors for the 12th Christmas Charity Bazaar at the...


Kazakh, Swiss presidents discuss cooperation opportunities

NUR-SULTAN – Swiss President Ueli Maurer and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed international and business cooperation opportunities Nov. 22 during the former’s visit to the Central Asian...


Kazakh Tourism, Almaty announce new joint mountain tourism office

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Tourism company and the akimats (administrations) of the city of Almaty and the Almaty Region announced Nov. 22 that they will launch a...


EBRD to finance Kurty-Kapshagai highway reconstruction

NUR-SULTAN – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and KazAvtoZhol have signed a 34.5 billion tenge (US$89 million) loan agreement for the Kurty-Kapshagai road project....


Almaty city authorities present urban greening draft master plan 

NUR-SULTAN – Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bakytzhan Sagintayev reviewed a draft master plan on urban landscaping Nov. 13 based on the results of expert studies. The plan involves...


Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs seeks volunteers to help keep public order, search for missing persons

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs is working to increase citizen involvement in protecting public order. The effort includes creating a volunteer law enforcement movement...


Nazarbayev’s book on Kazakhstan’s nuclear disarmament translated into Norwegian

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Embassy in Norway presented the Norwegian translation of First President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s book “The Epicentre of Peace” Nov. 21 at the House of...


Three Kazakh films included in Golden Globe Awards long list 

NUR-SULTAN – The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which presents the Golden Globe Awards, recently published its long list in the Foreign Language Film category, reported Kazinform....


QazTrade to launch website supporting Kazakh exporter

NUR-SULTAN – QazTrade will launch export.gov.kz in December, a website providing a wide range of services for local and foreign businesspeople, reported primeminister.kz. The QazTrade centre operates...


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan begin construction of fibre-optic link under Caspian Sea

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin and Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov officially launched construction of a fibre-optic line between the countries under the Caspian Sea...


Nur-Sultan’s new international composers contest discovers young talents

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh capital drew 115 composers under 35 years old from 24 countries to compete in the first New Music Generation international composers’ competition in...


First eight months of Tokayev’s presidency put spotlight on gradual civil society, business support and public engagement reforms

NUR-SULTAN – The first eight months of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s term have been marked by developing and implementing new approaches and solutions towards strengthening a socially...


Kazakh Mazhilis approves stiffer sentences for sexual offenses, other crimes

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Mazhilis approved Nov. 20 in first reading new amendments to the country’s criminal code to stiffen penalties for various crimes. The amendments follow...


Three Kazakh films featured at Asian World Film Festival 

NUR-SULTAN – Three Kazakh films, “The Golden Throne” by Rustem Abdrashov, “The Guardian of the Light” by Yermek Tursunov and “The Secret of a Leader” by Farkhat...


Kazakhstan’s digital transformation has a $578 million positive effect 

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s digital transformation has had a $578 million positive economic effect, reported the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry press service. As a...


Kazakhstan wins Davis Cup doubles match after sudden player change

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh tennis players Alexander Bublik and Mikhail Kukushkin won the first doubles match against the Netherlands at the Davis Cup in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 20,...


Russian, Kazakh and US scientists publish study showing how to save $3 billion per year on electricity 

NUR-SULTAN – Russian, Kazakh and U.S. scientists published a joint study on the causes of electricity losses Nov. 14 that aims to save up to $3 billion...


UNICEF analysis of Kazakhstan’s children finds progress in child mortality, education, gaps in inclusion, nutrition

NUR-SULTAN – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) presented its analysis of the situation of Kazakhstan’s children Nov. 19 in Nur-Sultan. The analysis observes the country’s achievements,...


Earthquake risk map to highlight vulnerable areas, guide building renovations in Almaty 

NUR-SULTAN – Almaty city authorities have examined the city’s buildings to create a risk map to let people know which residential buildings can and should be renovated...


Kazakh PM reviews pilot project launching medical insurance 

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin reviewed the results of the pilot implementation of Mandatory Social Medical Insurance (MSMI) in Karaganda Region Nov. 18, according to...


UN Women adopts action plan to localise Central Asian gender equality commitments

NUR-SULTAN – Central Asian countries adopted a joint action plan to accelerate progress on gender equality targets across all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a Nov. 13...


Kazakh football team beats San Marino in EURO 2020 qualifying game, loses to Scotland

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh football team defeated the team from San Marino 3-1 Nov. 17 in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) EURO 2020 qualifying game. ...


Kazakh Ministry of Finance, banks discuss taxing cashless payments

NUR-SULTAN – The Ministry of Finance is in negotiations with the Kazakh banking community regarding taxing cashless payments, said National Bank Chairperson Yerbolat Dossayev Nov. 13, reported...


Kazakh government to allocate almost $13 billion to support teachers 

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s new draft law on the status of teachers envisages the allocation of 5.2 trillion tenge (US$12.9 billion) for wage increases, bonuses for pedagogical skills...


Kazakhstan, EAEU to tighten control over dairy production in 2020

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh government will tighten controls over dairy production starting Jan. 1 as part of the new Eurasian Economic Union Technical Regulation on the safety...


Kazakh AVANGAR defeats Syman Gaming cyber athletes at WESG Central Asia, both qualify for WESG Asia

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh AVANGAR cybersport club won Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), defeating Syman Gaming at the Nov. 16-17 World Electronic Sports Games (WESG) Central Asia 2019...


Almaty Airport may be sold to Turkish-French TAV Airports Holding

NUR-SULTAN – Istanbul-based TAV Airports Holding may purchase Almaty Airport, currently owned by private company Venus Airport Investment B.V, said Kazakh Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development...