Experts Analyze President Tokayev’s Recent Interview in Roundtable Discussion

ASTANA – The Civil Alliance of Kazakhstan organized a roundtable on Jan. 11 that gathered Kazakh experts to discuss President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent interview with the Egemen Qazaqstan newspaper....


Kazakhstan Registers Significant Attempts of Cyber-Attacks in 2023

ASTANA – Kazakhstan registered more than 223 million attempted cyber-attacks carried out by foreign hackers in 2023, according to the State Technical Service. The highest number of cyber-attacks, nearly...


Islamic Organization for Food Security Welcomes New Director General from Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) elected Kazakh diplomat Askar Mussinov as director general on Jan. 1 by the decision of the sixth General Assembly in...


Kazakhstan Marks 120 Years of Abilkhan Kasteyev, Artist of Realism at Soviet-Kazakh Nexus

ASTANA – Abilkhan Kasteyev, a towering artist of his generation and the master of social realism who stood at the foundations of Kazakh fine arts, celebrates 120 years on...


74-Year Old Traveler from Kazakhstan Embarks on Journey Around Globe

ASTANA — In the heart of Kazakhstan, the indomitable spirit of adventure beats in 74-year-old Sarsenbay Kotyrashov, whose remarkable journey has already captured the imagination of many. Having traversed...


Sazalem Startup Seeks to Make Kazakh Music Accessible to All

ASTANA – The Sazalem startup,  whose name translates to ‘world of music’ in Kazakh), is on a mission to build an online platform that unites all genres of Kazakh...


Kazakh Capital Hosts Exhibition about Altai’s Mystical World

ASTANA – The art exhibition featuring paintings by Arzhan Yuteev, a young artist from the Altai Republic, focused on ancient legends and the rich culture of the Altai Region,...


Kazakh Food Tech Entrepreneur Unveils Insights on Doing Business in Astana

ASTANA – Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of economic development in Kazakhstan. They spearhead innovation and create a dynamic market environment. In an interview with The...


Nearly 2,000 Kids in Kazakhstan Enjoy Tours with Free Flights under Kids Go Free Program

ASTANA – In 2023, 1,975 children enjoyed 920 tours offered by 13 travel companies in Kazakhstan, getting free flights as part of the Kids Go Free program, the Tourism...


Kazakhstan Takes Further Steps in Human Rights Protection

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is in the midst of democratic transformation, making progress in strengthening the human rights protection system and aligning it better with the best international practices, the...


Qazaq Air to Resume Astana-Novosibirsk Flights This Month

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s airline Qazaq Air will resume flights from  Astana to Novosibirsk on Jan. 15, the airline’s press service announced on its Instagram page. Flights will be operated...


Air Astana Unveils Plans for IPO in Kazakhstan and London

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s flagship airline Air Astana revealed plans on Jan. 12 for an initial public offering (IPO), publishing a statement on its official website. The airline seeks to...


Kazakhstan’s IT Services Sector Shows Rapid Growth in 2023

ASTANA – The volume of services in programming, consulting and related fields in Kazakhstan reached 734.5 billion tenge ($1.6 billion) in January-September 2023, marking a 43.5% surge in value...


Astana International Exchange Reports Significant Results in 2023

ASTANA – This year, the Astana International Exchange (AIX) demonstrated positive results in listings, trading volume, and capital raised despite challenges posed by high market interest rates and geopolitical...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Middle Corridor, Almaty as Travel Destination, 5G Technology and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media worldwide. This week’s foreign media digest covers the Middle Corridor, Almaty as...


‘Zhoshy Khan’ Historical Drama on 8 Centuries of Statehood Draws Spectacular Turnout

ASTANA – The “Zhoshy Khan” historical drama drew a full house at the Kuanyshbaev Kazakh State Academic Musical and Drama Theater on a cold Astana evening on Jan. 11....


Kazakhstan Ships 993,000 Tons of Oil to Germany in 2023

ASTANA – KazTransOil national oil transporter supplied 993,000 tons of oil to Germany in 2023, KazMunayGas (KMG) oil and gas company’s press service reported on Jan. 12. The KMG...


Kazakhstan Celebrates 112th Birth Anniversary of Kunayev, Architect of Nation’s Past and Political Pioneer

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the 112th anniversary of the birth of a prominent Kazakh politician Dinmukhamed Kunayev on Jan. 12. As the nation stands in a pivotal moment in...


Almaty Showcases Kazakh Female Filmmaking Projects on Social Topics

ASTANA – Almaty will host a special screening of five short films shot by Kazakh female directors in the bULt art space on Jan. 14. The movies narrate stories...


Exciting Weekend Events Await Astana

ASTANA — The vibrant capital of Kazakhstan is gearing up for an exhilarating weekend filled with cultural richness and artistic expression. From mesmerizing opera performances to captivating concerts and...


Italian-Kazakh Center for Creative Industry to Open This Year

ASTANA – The Italian-Kazakh Cultural Center for Creative Industry will be opened in Kazakhstan this year, said Ambassador of Italy to Kazakhstan Marco Alberti during a Jan. 10 meeting...


Kazakh Scientists Reconstruct Golden Horde Era Clothing

ASTANA – Scientists from the Umai International Laboratory for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage at the Margulan Institute of Archaeology took part in the reconstruction of a...


Experts Anticipate Positive Outlook for Kazakhstan in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan aims to double its national economy to $450 billion by 2029, with international financial institutions projecting economic growth between 3% and 4% this year, reported Kazinform....


Kazakhstan Approves Tax Relief for Creative Industry

ASTANA – The Kazakh government has introduced a package of tax reliefs for 40 types of business activities in the creative industry, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information...


Kazakhstan to Launch National Digital Investment Platform

ASTANA – The Investment Promotion Council (Investment Headquarters) discussed the implementation of the National Digital Investment Platform, aimed at improving the country’s investment attractiveness during a Jan. 11 meeting...


Kazakhstan Sees 11% Drop in Сrime Rates

ASTANA – The crime rate in Kazakhstan has decreased by 11% from 157,473 to 140,272 cases, reported Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office on Jan. 10. Violent crimes declined by 14.9%...


Kazakhstan, Romania Keen to Explore Middle Corridor Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Romania expressed readiness to promote cooperation in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or Middle Corridor, during talks between Kazakh Deputy Transport...


US Ambassador Addresses Bilateral Ties with Kazakhstan and Shared Priorities at Roundtable in Washington

ASTANA – Washington-based Caspian Policy Center hosted Jan. 4 a roundtable discussing the bilateral ties between Kazakhstan and the United States and the regional dynamics. U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan...


Snowdrops Bloom in Almaty Mountains in Depths of Winter

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s photographer Dmitry Dotsenko captured the unexpected bloom of snowdrops in the Almaty mountains, showcasing the surprising scenes on his Instagram page. The phenomenon unfolded in January,...


New York Times Features Almaty in 2024 Top Travel Destinations List

ASTANA – The New York Times published on Jan. 9 its annual list of 52 travel destinations in 2024, featuring Kazakhstan’s Almaty on the 25th spot.  From the Portal...


Kazakhstan Achieves Record Grain Exports to China in 2023

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has set a new record for grain exports to China in 2023, encompassing wheat, barley, soybeans, flax, and sunflower seeds, with the total shipments reaching 2.2...


Kazakh Schoolchildren Secure 7 Awards at International Robotics Competition

ASTANA – Kazakh schoolchildren won seven awards in the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competition that took place on Jan. 5-7 in Depok, Indonesia, announced the Kazakh Education Ministry on...


World Bank: Economic Growth in Europe and Central Asia Remains Stable Amidst Global Slowdown

ASTANA – In 2023, economic growth in Europe and Central Asia surged to 2.7% compared to 1.2% recorded in 2022, marking a rebound attributed to the expansion of domestic...


Kazakhstan Welcomes New Town – Alatau

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on Jan. 9 to turn the village of Jetigen in the Ili district of the Almaty Region into a town of...


Wizz Air to Launch Abu Dhabi-Turkistan Flights in January

ASTANA – Wizz Air, a Hungarian low-cost carrier, will launch direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Turkistan on Jan. 16, reported the press service of the Turkistan Region. As...


Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan Receives 5,300 Appeals in 2023

ASTANA – The Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan received more than 5,300 appeals in 2023. Yet, 39% of them are related to disagreement with court decisions, which is not under...


Digital Almaty International Forum to Shape Industry Trends

ASTANA – The Digital Almaty 2024 International forum, dubbed Industry X: the Digital Evolution of the Future, will take place on Feb. 1-3 with an extensive business program, reported...


International Tourist Arrivals Surge 37% in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan welcomed 834,900 foreign tourists from January to September 2023, a 37% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Kazakh Bureau of National...


Kazakhstan Sees Decline in Incidence of 39 Infections, Says Health Ministry

ASTANA – Kazakhstan witnesses a decline in the incidence of 39 infections, including Covid-19, rotavirus and acute intestinal infections, said Health Minister Azhar Giniyat at a Jan. 9 government...


Terminals Holding Group to Start Astana Airport Runway Overhaul in March

ASTANA – Terminals Holding Group plans to start the reconstruction work at the Kazakh capital’s airport in March and complete it in the spring next year. This was announced...


Kazakhstan to Plant More Saxaul Trees in Aral Basin

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to plant saxaul trees on an additional 275,000 hectares of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea this year to prevent dust storms in...


Kazakhstan to Enhance Preparation for Fifth World Nomad Games

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev instructed to enhance preparation for the fifth World Nomad Games, which will take place in the Kazakh capital on...


More Than 40 Athletes to Represent Kazakhstan at Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics

ASTANA – Forty-two athletes will represent Kazakhstan at the upcoming 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, which will kick off on Jan. 19 and last until Feb. 1 in Gangwon, South...


IT Education, Women’s Empowerment: Astana Hub Wraps Up 2023 Outcomes

ASTANA – Astana Hub CEO Magzhan Madiyev wrapped up the outcomes of their work in 2023 in his Telegram post on Jan. 8. The Astana Hub organized 446 events...


American Students to Spend One Month Teaching Kids in Eastern Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Two students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will spend 26 days teaching schoolchildren at the secondary school named after Seitkamzy Lastayev in the Katon-Karagai village...


World Bank Releases Monthly Economic Update for Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The World Bank has published a monthly economic update for Kazakhstan for December, reviewing trends in business activity, inflation, and trade dynamics. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Sign Protocol on Mutual Cooperation Expansion

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev and Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov signed a protocol on expanding mutual cooperation at a...


Kazakhstan’s Aviation Administration Confirms Safety of Boeing 737 MAX 9 Fleet Following US Incident

ASTANA – Five Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft registered in Kazakhstan have valid airworthiness certificates, the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) reported on Jan. 7. The statement comes after...


Kazakhstan’s SDG Coordination Council Approves 2024 Action Plan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Coordination Council on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approved a plan of measures for 2024 at the council’s seventh meeting on Jan. 5,...


Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina Wins Brisbane International, Defeats World No. 2

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s top seed Elena Rybakina defeated world’s No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus with a 6-0, 6-3 score to clinch the Brisbane International on Jan. 7, reported...