Ironman 70.3 triathlon race to be held in Astana in 2018

ASTANA – The Ironman 70.3 world race will be held in Astana next year, President of the Kazakh triathlon federation Karim Massimov told the media during the...


Kazakhstan’s progress to be represented by stories of everyday people

The strength and success of any community or country is made up of many strands. Leadership is, of course, vital, to set the right direction. But leadership...


Volunteers clean up Astana suburbs

ASTANA – Club Dobryakov Astana (Astana Club of Kind Souls) and its founder Gulmira Abdrasheva are uniting a variety of citizens to make the city cleaner and...


FC Astana secures European autumn, will seek revenge from Celtic in UEFA Champions League playoffs

WARSAW – FC Astana surprised many by beating Legia Warsaw 3:2 on aggregate in the UEFA Champions League’s third qualification round. The victory means that the Kazakh...


Tenge exchange rate fluctuates, draws increased attention

ASTANA – Fluctuations of the tenge’s exchange rate in the currency market are based on a number of factors, including concerns about the future of ruble after...


Kazakhstan gets sea access using Chinese logistics centres

ASTANA – Chinese logistics centres become more accessible to Kazakhstan within the One Belt, One Road project. An initiative announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013,...


Air Astana’s international traffic increases 22 percent

ASTANA – Thanks to steady economic growth, Air Astana’s international passenger traffic posted significant improvement in the first half of the year. “The economy of Kazakhstan is...


Astana to be featured in National Geographic’s Megastructures television series

ASTANA – The new “Astana, City of the Future” film about the architectural wonders of Astana will debut Aug. 8 at EXPO 2017 in Astana. The film...


Plácido Domingo’s Operalia winners announced

ASTANA – Romanian soprano Adela Zaharia and South African tenor Levy Sekgapane won first prize at the 25th Operalia, Plácido Domingo’s annual opera competition held July 24-29...


Thirty-one bicycle share stations open in Almaty

ASTANA – The public bicycle system of the Almaty Bike project recently expanded its service, making available for shared use an inexpensive means of transportation. The project,...


Astana, Singapore to cooperate in green construction technology

ASTANA – The Kazakh and Singaporean delegations signed agreements on joint cooperation in Astana as part of the Singaporean visit to the EXPO 2017 for the National...


Social health insurance fund accumulates $2.4 million in July

ASTANA – The Social Health Insurance Fund received 800 million tenge (US$2.4 million) in payments in July, according to Fund Chairperson  Yelena Bakhmutova. “According to the preliminary...


Sarbaz historical medieval warriors battle in Bayanaul

ASTANA – The Sarbaz historical medieval battle became the highlight of the Khan Koryk international youth festival, which attracted thousands of spectators to Bayanaul National Park. Knights...


Digitalisation, single window system to ease export-import documentation

ASTANA – The digitalisation of customs declarations and a single window principle for export-import transactions will be introduced in the country, said Vice Minister of Finance Ruslan...


France’s EXPO pavilion sets event records, displays energy saving technologies

ASTANA – France is using EXPO 2017 to showcase innovative approaches to meeting future energy demand. The country is the owner of one of the largest pavilions...


Astana prepares rich cultural programme as EXPO 2017 passes halfway point

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 may have passed its halfway point, but there are still numerous opportunities to enjoy the exhibition. A rich cultural programme of concerts and...


Kazakhstan: a promising and inspiring state

Kazakhstan is a promising state. The Great Steppe covers a large territory on the Eurasian continent: from west to east, it extends to almost 3,000 kilometres and...


What to see in Kazakh National Museum during EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The National Museum of Kazakhstan is hosting several exhibitions within the EXPO 2017 cultural programme. Most will last until Sept. 10 – so don’t miss...


Moody’s Investors Service report upgrades Kazakhstan to ‘stable’

ASTANA – Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) report recently changed Kazakhstan’s rating outlook from ‘negative’ to ‘stable’. In addition, Moody’s confirmed the issue and senior unsecured ratings as...


Kazakh farmers produced $2.7 billion in goods in six months

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s gross agricultural output increased more than 3 percent to 887.5 billion tenge (US$2.7 billion) in the first six months of the year, according to...


CSTO is a tool to ensure regional security

Kazakhstan’s foreign policy is based on several strategic principles. One of them has to do with ensuring national security, defence and the sovereignty of the country, strengthening...


64-year-old volunteer enjoys her EXPO 2017 experience

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 visitors learn not only about future energy opportunities, but also about the inexhaustible human energy. Native of Kokshetau Batima Kussainova, 64, volunteered to...


Kazakh alphabet in Latin script to be developed by end of 2017

ASTANA – The Kazakh alphabet in the Latin script will be developed by the end of the year, said Minister of Education and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev during...


Tour de France winner Chris Froome to race in EXPO 2017 International Criterium

ASTANA – Tour de France 2017 winner and British cyclist Christopher Froome will participate in the August 12 EXPO 2017 International Criterium cycling event in Astana, President...


Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture to launch more than 30 small dairies

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture has revealed plans to create 31 dairies within the development of small-scale agricultural processing enterprises, said Vice Minister of Agriculture...


City of Occupations to help Astana children choose professions

ASTANA – In cooperation with Community International magazine, the capital administration will implement City of Occupations, a large-scale career project. The publication has been successfully executing the...


Italy’s EXPO 2017 pavilion showcases nation’s history, achievements

ASTANA – The nearly 900-square metre Italian pavilion is one of the largest at EXPO 2017. The average visit lasts about 20-30 minutes, which top Italian officials...


Romanian FM visits Kazakhstan to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations, attends National Day at EXPO

ASTANA – Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodor Viorel Meleșcanu visited Kazakhstan July 27-28 to mark the 25th anniversary of Kazakh-Romanian relations and participate in Romanian National...


Rail cargo transportation grows 13 percent in first six months of 2017

ASTANA – Kazakh rail cargo transportation grew 13 percent in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, reaching 128 million tonnes, announced...


Arabic calligraphy exhibition opens at National Library

ASTANA – An exhibition of Arabic calligraphy opened in the National Academic Library initiated by the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Research Centre for...


Astana, Paris through lens of travel photographer Loïc Lagarde

ASTANA – Paris-Astana, a solo exhibit of notable French travel photographer Loïc Lagarde, opened July 13 at the Has Sanat Art Gallery. The works are expected to...


Kazakh bank merger to boost modernisation, say experts

ASTANA – Bank consumers are becoming pickier, requiring a wide range of services provided online instantly. Unfortunately, Kazakh banks can’t keep pace with Russian financial institutions, let...


Arnasai – eco-friendly weekend getaway for leisure and knowledge

ASTANA – The Arnasai Green Technology Centre, also known as the “Eco-friendly village,” promotes organic agriculture and spreads the culture of conserving and preserving natural resources. The...


Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture develops map of agro processing enterprise locations

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture has developed a map of its agro processing enterprise locations in order to boost the sector’s growth and increase import...


National concept provides positive indicators for South Kazakhstan’s tourism development

ASTANA – Approximately 700,000 tourists have visited Turkestan this year, said Akim (Mayor) of the city Alipbek Usserbayev at a July 24 press conference in the regional...


Institutional reforms have improved public services access, transparency, says government official

ASTANA – Implementation of institutional reforms under the 100 Concrete Steps programme outlined by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2015 have increased the transparency of and access...


Kazakh Kurultai in Tyumen region brings 5,000 people together

ASTANA – The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan’s delegation from the country’s northern region took part in a July 22 Kurultai of Kazakhs in the Tyumen...


Almaty’s FC Kairat to undergo significant changes, says team’s chairman

ASTANA – In a recent interview on the FC (Football Club) Kairat website, supervisory board chairperson Kairat Boranbayev lambasted the recent unsatisfactory results of the team and...


Bank of Astana named country’s Best Consumer Digital Bank

ASTANA – Global Finance has named Bank of Astana as Kazakhstan’s Best Consumer Digital Bank. The financial institution was among the first round of winners in the...


Wheelchair Repair Centre opens in Astana

ASTANA – A wheelchair repair and maintenance centre has opened in Astana. The Inva project, created at the Public Association of People with Limited Abilities DOS Independent...


Kazakh high schooler wins gold at International Mathematical Olympiad

ASTANA – Kazakh high school student Amir Mokhammed-Ali won gold at the 58th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), held July 12-23 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to...


2,000-year-old settlement to open in Shymkent

ASTANA – An archaeological open-air museum will open in the ancient settlement of Shymkent, the regional city administration press service reported in late July.   The remains...


Entrepreneur develops Kazakh foods stores in Russia

ASTANA – Five years ago, Yelena Kondakova founded Baursak, a shop in Russia featuring Kazakh goods. Her business became a huge success and now there are eight...


1,200 musicians perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 at Astana Opera

ASTANA – Approximately 1,200 musicians performing Austrian Gustav Mahler’s famous Symphony No. 8 led by Astana Opera chief and world-famous conductor Alan Buribayev made a splash July...


Kazakh team rider takes fifth in Tour de France

PARIS – Captain of Astana Pro cycling team Fabio Aru finished the world-famous Tour de France race in fifth place overall. Aru’s finish follows a particularly challenging...


EXPO 2017 reaches halfway point, welcomes one and half millionth visitor

ASTANA – Halfway through EXPO 2017, the international exhibition has welcomed one and a half million visitors, according to an expo national company press release. Almost two...


Morocco’s first Ambassador to Kazakhstan focuses on political dialogue, economic relations

ASTANA – Morocco established its first embassy in Kazakhstan at the end of 2016, almost 25 years after diplomatic relations were first established. Morocco’s first Ambassador to...


The role of EXPO 2017 in forming Kazakhstan’s national brand

EXPO 2017 gives Kazakhstan a chance to promote its brand in the world and improve the perception of many aspects of the country’s development. EXPO 2017, held...


Hollywood stars in town for Eurasia International Film Festival

ASTANA – With Hollywood stars like Adrien Brody, Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich in attendance, this year’s Eurasia International Film Festival has attracted quite a bit of...


EIB provides Kazakhstan half $1 billion clean energy financing over last five years

ASTANA – The European Investment Bank (EIB) provided more than 500 million euros in loans to Kazakhstan for its renewable and clean energy initiatives over the last...


Japan Day at EXPO 2017 gives visitors glimpse of Japanese culture, energy conservation efforts

ASTANA – The EXPO 2017 Japan pavilion gave expo visitors during the July 22 Japan Day a glimpse of Japanese culture. The event was titled “Become a...


New Alakol Lake airport opens, meant to boost tourism

ASTANA – A new airport opened July 21 in Usharal to make Alakol Lake more accessible for tourists. The airport is the latest effort to boost tourism...


Medical trains provide treatment for 28,000 residents in regions nationwide

ASTANA – The Salamatty Kazakhstan and Densaulyk medical train teams provided medical examinations for approximately 28,000 residents including more than 5,193 children during a 96-day period, Kazakhstan...


Kazakh-Korean cooperation promotes investment climate, addresses foreign investors’ concerns

ASTANA – The Korean Association of Kazakhstan held a Kazakh-Korean Cooperation Forum July 20 to demonstrate the country’s real potential to foreign investors, help resolve essential issues...


EXPO 2017 chance to showcase Kazakh contributions to technology, inventor says

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is serving as host this summer for EXPO 2017. Inventors, companies and scientists throughout the world are presenting their research and vision...


Chinese businessperson plans to export Almaty apples to China

ASTANA – Chinese businessperson Jin Xiau Ming intends to supply Almaty Aport apples to China. Although he has never seen Almaty apples, he has repeatedly heard of...


Kazakhstan establishes national tourism development company

ASTANA – The Kazakh government recently launched the Kazakh Tourism National Company to develop the sector and attract investment. “The first task for the company is to...


Kazakh minister urges citizens to save money for housing

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister for Investments and Development Zhenis Kassymbek recently urged the government to encourage citizens to save money to buy housing. According to the minister,...


EXPO 2017 to be great success, says BIE official

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 has only been open five of its 13 weeks, yet based on the early attendance figures Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Deputy Secretary...


Centennial of first attempt to create modern-type Kazakh government reason to reflect on national statehood

The centenary of the Russian Revolution is rightly a major event in the global calendar this year. Tsar Nicholas II’s overthrow and the eventual emergence of the...


Historical notes about Kazakh-Israeli cooperation

I have served as ambassador of Israel to Kazakhstan twice, in the periods between 1996-2002 and 2008-2012. Thanks to this, I am able to analyse the changes...


Kazakh GDP grows 4.2 percent in first half of 2017

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s GDP grew 4.2 percent in the first six months of the year due to the growth of main indicators in industry, construction, agriculture, transportation,...


FC Astana passes first round of UEFA Champions League qualifications, to meet Legia Warsaw

ASTANA – FC Astana, Kazakhstan’s Premier League title holders, overcame resistance in two matches with FK Spartaks Jurmala to reach the next qualifying round of the UEFA...


Ukraine and Kazakhstan: 25 years of friendship and cooperation

July 22, 2017 is a special date in the modern history of Ukrainian-Kazakh relations as it marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between...


Kazakh TV focuses on country’s promotion

ASTANA – Kazakh TV, which broadcasts to more than 118 countries, is the nation’s first satellite channel aiming to report about the country and its achievements. Director...


Kazakh exports increase almost 40 percent, as economy grows 4.2 percent in first half of 2017

ASTANA – Kazakh exports increased 37.6 percent in the first half of 2017, Kazakh Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov announced at a recent government meeting. “In...


Kazakhstan to include social, environmental aspects in measuring GDP

ASTANA – Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov said July 18 that the indicator of gross domestic product is planned to expand with new parameters taking into...


Seventy percent of civil servants support increasing meritocracy

ASTANA – More than 70 percent of Kazakh civil servants support increasing meritocracy in the country’s civil service, Deputy Chair of Kazakhstan’s Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption...


Astana Arlans win record third WSB title

ASTANA – In a dramatic comeback, the Astana Arlans defeated the Cuba Domadores 6-5 July 15 to end the World Series Boxing’s (WSB) seventh season. With the...


UK eager to boost trade with Kazakhstan, says official

ASTANA – U.K. Department for International Trade Minister of State for Trade and Investment Greg Hands visited Astana July 18 to meet with government officials, attend EXPO...


AIFC to develop ecosystem to enable CIS blockchain solutions

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has announced plans to develop a legislative base regulating cryptocurrency transactions for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region...


National Bank maintains 10.5-percent base rate

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan will maintain a 10.5-percent base rate with a corridor of +/- 1 percent, the Bank announced recently. The annual inflation...


1,200 musicians to perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 at Astana Opera

ASTANA – The capital is offering the public an opportunity to enjoy a concert at the Astana Opera House July 21 featuring Austrian Gustav Mahler’s famous Symphony...


Astana to become most attractive city in Eurasia by 2020, says mayor

ASTANA – Urban leaders gathered for the 25th International Assembly of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Capitals and Major Cities July 13-14 to discuss a new programme...


Hollywood stars to arrive in Astana for Eurasia Film Festival

ASTANA – Astana will welcome Hollywood stars for the 13th International Eurasia Film Festival to take place in Kazakhstan’s capital July 22-28. Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, Adrien...


Smithsonian Institution presents online exhibition of famous Kazakh geographer and ethnographer

ASTANA – This year Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced a wide-ranging policy “Course towards the future: modernisation of Kazakhstan’s identity” outlining steps for modernisation of social norms....


Government employment, training policies show positive results

ASTANA – One-hundred-seventy-four individuals started their own businesses and 384 loans were granted in the first half of this year as part of the second direction of...


State programme helps employ more than 80,000 people

ASTANA – More than 82,000 people were employed in the first half of 2017 under the third direction of the Productive Employment and Mass Entrepreneurship Development Programme....


Most popular vocational specialties in Kazakhstan include cook, seamstress, accountant

ASTANA – Cook, seamstress, accountant, hairdresser, electrician and welder are among Kazakhstan’s most popular vocational specialties, according to Vice Minister of Labour and Social Protection Birzhan Nurymbetov....


Taraz student to unveil education system for children with special needs

ASTANA – Fifteen-year-old Taraz resident Isaac Mustopulo, who is committed to helping Kazakh children with special needs receive a full-fledged education, participated in the Human Library under...


CSTO foreign ministers adopt measures to curb IT crime during Minsk meeting

ASTANA – The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Foreign Ministers Council adopted during its July 17 meeting in Minsk Belarus measures to counter information technology crimes and...


Afghan civil servants trained in public administration as part of Kazakhstan’s development assistance

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently hosted a seminar to increase the potential of Afghanistan’s civil servants and representatives of non-governmental organisations as part...


Pavlodar hosts photo exhibit about Kazakh soldiers in World War II

ASTANA – “Following the Partisan Paths,” an exhibit created by photo reporter Tatyana Alexenko featuring approximately 44 unique World War II photographs, opened July 14 at the...


Air Astana was built without state subsidies, says airline president

ASTANA – Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier and a leading airline in the Central Asian region, was built without state help, said company president Peter Foster in...


Lone Atyrau foster home closes, all children find new homes

ASTANA – The nearly 140 children without parents who have found shelter in the 240-bed Atyrau Sabyr Kazybayev foster home will soon be calling somewhere else “home.”...


Astana Taxi launches at new Nurly Zhol train station

ASTANA – Visitors and residents arriving at a new Nurly Zhol train station in Astana can now use Astana Taxi services right at the train station to...


Senior Nomads travel international neighbourhood, learn valuable lessons

ASTANA – Americans Michael and Debbie Campbell have found the key to a harmonious post-retirement existence. Living a nomadic lifestyle has allowed the couple to travel to...


Kazakhstan creates online platform for wholesale trade in Central Asian region

ASTANA – Entrepreneurs from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries will no longer need to travel to China, Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan to purchase goods, as Central Asian...


Kazakhstan and Malaysia ink memorandum of understanding to attract more investments

ASTANA – The Mangystau region Akimat (regional administration) signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysian company Reach Energy as part of the Kazakhstan – Malaysia business forum,...


Doctors, legislatures alarmed that increased number of children falling from loose windows

ASTANA – In connection with the increased cases of children falling from buildings because of windows that give way, doctors recommend changing the design of plastic windows...


Islamic world representatives confirm participation in Astana science and technology summit

ASTANA – High-level representatives of the Islamic world confirmed their participation in the first Summit on Science and Technology in Astana during the 44th session of the...


Getting the balance right on religion in secular Muslim-majority state

Religious faith has had a hugely positive impact. It helps people make sense of life as well providing comfort at times of distress. Even more importantly, the...


Kazakhstan confirms commitment to OPEC agreement to cut oil production

ASTANA – Kazakhstan confirmed July 12 its commitment to agreements between the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC countries to reduce oil production until...


Festival of ethnic theatres promotes interaction, mutual cultural enrichment

ASTANA – A play called “Is It Easy to Be a Queen?” and staged by the State Korean Theatre of Musical Comedy, won the Best Performance award...


Astana to host SCO and CICA International Athletics Marathon

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, will host Aug. 27 the International Athletics Marathon of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building...


Al Hilal Bank expands services in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Abu Dhabi-based Al Hilal Bank is expanding its range of services and launching Islamic banking products for individual customers, according to forbes.kz. In the medium...


Switzerland shares financial experience with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Switzerland is ready to share its financial sector and budget management experience, said Swiss Federal Councillor and Federal Department of Finance head Ueli Maurer during...


Kazakhstan, China ink $160 million in agricultural agreements

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China signed $160 million in agreements July 11 during the Kazakh-Chinese Agriculture Investment Forum held as part of a two-day visit to the...


Experts discuss nuclear rehabilitation, green technologies in nuclear energy at EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Kazakh radioecology experts and representatives of non-governmental organisations recently discussed the rehabilitation of land at the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, the use of green...


Latvian EXPO 2017 pavilion holds international transport conference

ASTANA – The Latvian pavilion held the international conference “Prospects of global transport communication. Eurasian potential” July 11 in the framework of the Week of Transit and...