Central Asia a crucial partner in promoting nuclear safety, says leading expert

ASTANA – Eddie Maier, deputy head of unit at the European Commission Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development’s Instrument for Stability and Nuclear Safety, discussed nuclear safety...


Industrialisation initiative results in economic growth, creating jobs, more tasks set

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said that around 1,060 projects were implemented and 100,000 jobs created as part of the industrialisation programme at an Oct.16 meeting...


Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs tests electronic investigation, needs funds

ASTANA – Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs needs 11 billion tenge (US$32.9 million) for the introduction of criminal case investigation in electronic form, which it tests in...


Kazakh privatisation programme sells 291 entities worth $337.5 million

ASTANA – The national privatisation programme for 2016-2020 has seen the sale of 291 of 887 entities earlier slated for sale for 112.7 billion tenge (US$337.5 million)...


Kazakhstan hosts CSTO Unbreakable Brotherhood 2017 exercises

ASTANA – The Unbreakable Brotherhood 2017 exercises on post-conflict resolution with the peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) were launched on the Iliisky training...


Electronic bracelets for convicts pass tests

ASTANA – A pilot project using convict electronic bracelets developed and produced in Kazakhstan has been successfully completed. As a result, the government is planning wider use....


Astana’s Gorky Russian Drama Theatre takes spotlight at international festival

ASTANA – The Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theatre presented “Mankurt. Eternal slave,” one of the best plays in its repertoire, at the Synergy World Theatre Festival...


FC Astana secures record European win, thrashes Tel Aviv 4-0

ASTANA – FC Astana delivered an impressive display in a 4-0 home victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, its biggest margin of victory in European club competition....


Kazakhstan and Croatia mark 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations

The history of relations between the people of Kazakhstan and Croatia dates back to the times of the Silk Road through which trade caravans from China and...


Kazakh scientists make strides in identifying genetic predisposition to disease

ASTANA – The National Centre for Biotechnology recently discussed advances in identifying diseases at the genetic level. “We find out disorders through DNA and this allows us...


East Kazakhstan region promotes domestic tourism, educational tours

ASTANA – In an effort to attract travellers from China and Russia, the East Kazakhstan region is completing large-scale road repair and reconstruction this year to the...


Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan meeting addresses concerns over border trade regulations

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan agreed during an Oct. 18 meeting in Astana of each country’s prime ministers to ensure priority crossing at the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border, especially...


Nigmatulin urges support for Kazakh President’s initiatives at IPU forum

ASTANA – Chairman of the Mazhilis (lower chamber of Kazakhstan’s Parliament) Nurlan Nigmatulin appealed to the world parliamentary community to support the counterterrorism initiatives of President of...


The OECD and Eurasia: partners for an inclusive globalisation

I have long been passionate about free trade and international integration and the benefits that they can bring to people everywhere. In my own country, Mexico, I...


Kazakhstan’s Rukhani Janghyru programme unveiled at UNESCO

PARIS – Rukhani Janghryu (Modernisation of Kazakhstan’s Identity), the programme unveiled by President Nursultan Nazarbayev in April, was officially presented Oct. 17 at United Nations Educational, Scientific...


Mother’s House gives hope to single mothers

ASTANA – ANA UYI (Mother’s House), a social project sponsored by Kazakh businesspersons, helps single mothers overcome difficulties to prevent leaving children in orphanages. Pregnant women or...


Kazakh government, UNDP to support 15 city energy saving projects

ASTANA – Fifteen Kazakh cities, including the capital, Kostanai, Shymkent and Taraz, will install energy saving technologies by 2020 to reduce carbon intensity and enhance infrastructure energy...


Kazakh chess player wins international speed tournament

ASTANA – Kazakh chess player Zhansaya Abdumalik was the victor Oct. 16 in the Almaty Chess Players Union President’s Cup international tournament. The contest involved 54 players...


Kazakhstan’s economy expected to grow at least 3.4 percent by year’s end, says minister

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy retained a 4.3-percent growth rate from January-September and is expected to grow 3.4 percent by the end of the year, said Minister of...


Brave Dogs Almaty organises charity photoshoots, seeks to expand

ASTANA – Brave Dogs Almaty sponsored its third charity photoshoot in an Almaty mall Oct. 8 to advocate for animal shelters. The event attracted more than 2,000...


Young Kazakhs perform at UNESCO headquarters

ASTANA – Eight young Kazakhs performed at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO headquarters in Paris as winners of the nation’s second Children in the...


Education Minister reports on State Programme for Education and Science Development

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Education and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev reported on the status of the State Programme of Education and Science Development (SPESD) for 2016-2019 during an Oct. 17 government meeting chaired...


Twenty Kazakh remedial schools receive modern equipment

ASTANA – Twenty schools for children with hearing, vision and intellectual impairments in the Almaty, Mangistau and Pavlodar regions and Astana were equipped with special devices this...


Multilateral strategy to combat corruption discussed at public hearings

ASTANA – Public hearings on “Anti-corruption strategy: combining state and social efforts” were held Oct. 13 at the Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption Agency. The hearings are...


Barys fifth in Eastern Conference following one third of KHL matches

ASTANA – Following two games played last weekend, HC Barys Astana has completed 22 matches or more than one third of the scheduled matches of the regular...


Kazakhstan hosts second round of Confederation Cup

ASTANA – The qualifying stage for the second Confederation Cup tournament draw was held Oct. 13 in Kazakhstan. The uniqueness of the tournament is due to the...


AFC Kairat progresses to UEFA Futsal Cup elite round despite upset in Minsk

ASTANA – ACF Kairat Almaty, two-time holder of the UEFA Futsal Cup, progressed from second place to the tournament’s elite round during the Oct. 11-14 group one...


‘A magic dwells in each beginning’

“A magic dwells in each beginning,” – says Hermann Hesse in his poem. Teachers said these parting words to my son and his classmates at a graduation...


Nature of power has never been more complex

Not long ago, it was traditional hard power based on military and economic might that ruled the day. But a global rebalancing – one which has seen...


Visa exemption for Kazakh citizens will save millions of dollars, says UAE Ambassador

This year on May 23 Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov and the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al...


Kazakh TV presents unique show about ethnic musical compositions

ASTANA – Kazakh TV starts a unique project “Legends in Music” about ancient art of kui (traditional musical composition) and kuishis, the best musicians of the nation’s...


FC Kairat Almaty captures Kazakhstan Cup for seventh time

ASTANA – Football club Kairat Almaty claimed the Kazakhstan Cup for the seventh time in front of 10,400 spectators on Oct. 14 at Aktobe city’s Central Stadium...


Kazakhstan: on the way to unprecedented changes in justice

Kazakhstan has become the first country among the post-Soviet countries to open a Justice Services Centre free to the public one stop. The Centre in Astana represents...


President Nazarbayev congratulates Kyrgyz president-elect

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated via telegram Sooronbay Jeenbekov on his election as President of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Akorda press service reported. Nazarbayev said...


Kazakhstan, Poland discuss UNSC cooperation

ASTANA –  Delegations led by Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev and Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Joanna Wronecka recently discussed cooperation within the United Nations Security Council...


Khrapunovs summoned for interrogation by Kazakhstan’s Anti-Corruption Bureau

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau is seeking to interrogate the former Akim (mayor) of Almaty and governor of the East Kazakhstan region Viktor Khrapunov and his...


Team Kazakhstan finishes last in FIFA World Cup qualification group

ASTANA – Team Kazakhstan will not be advancing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. The team, which ended their quest with a 3-1 away loss...


EU, Kazakhstan launch second dual use goods export control project

ASTANA – The European Union, the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) together with the Kazakh Ministry of Investments and Development launched Oct. 12 the second project...


We celebrate life, learning and success every day, says QSI Astana director

ASTANA – With the new school year in full swing, The Astana Times interviewed Quality Schools International (QSI) Astana director Jay Loftin about mastery learning, teaching in...


New television channel kicks off in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The ON! TV Channel has launched a joint project with Russian channel Pyatnitsa! to air some of Pyatnitsa!’s most popular programmes in Kazakhstan. “The strategic...


KazAeroNavigatsia to open training centre in Astana for aviation specialists

ASTANA – KazAeroNavigatsia plans to open a training centre for aviation industry workers in Astana, said KazAeroNavigatsia General Director Azat Bekturov at a recent regional symposium on...


University to produce solar generators in Shymkent

ASTANA – South Kazakhstan State University plans to begin manufacturing mobile solar power generators in Shymkent, University Head Zhumakhan Myrkhalykov announced at a recent government press conference....


Athens forum emphasises Kazakhstan’s role in Silk Road of the 21st century

ASTANA – The Economist and the Greek-Eurasian Business Council brought together over 500 representatives of governments, universities, transnational and logistics companies in Athens Oct. 9-10 for discussions...


Nazarbayev proposes CIS modernisation, notes need for EAEU digitisation at Sochi summits

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed measures to modernise the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) organisation during the Oct. 11 CIS Council of Heads of State...


Astana Toastmasters Club helps improve public speaking, communication and leadership skills

ASTANA – The first registered Toastmasters Club in Central Asia was founded in the capital in 2010 by Samat Panov and Asem Panova. The organisation is devoted...


Climate change is a threat to rich and poor alike

From Miami and Puerto Rico to Barbuda and Havana, the devastation of this year’s hurricane season across Latin America and the Caribbean serves as a reminder that...


Astana Park named CIS’ best outdoor amusement park

ASTANA – Stolichniy (Capital) Park, which attracts 500,000-one million visitors annually, won the Best Outdoor Amusement Park award at the 15th Khrustalnoye Koleso (The Crystal Wheel) contest...


Kazakh healthcare minister reviews ongoing advances in his sphere

ASTANA – Healthcare Minister Yelzhan Birtanov recently reported on the results of the Densaulyk state health development programme for 2016-2019. The first nine months of the year...


Investments in Kazakh livestock sector grow

ASTANA – The focus of investment interest in agriculture is increasingly shifting towards livestock, as the investment growth rate in cultivating seasonal crops has slowed compared to...


Expedition to Zhetysu’s sacred places documents history, promotes tourism

ASTANA – To raise awareness of the sacred and cultural sites of the Zhetysu region – and the tourism potential they represent – an expedition travelled one...


Iranian investors to open sausage production plant in East Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Iranian producers are set to open a plant for non-waste meat processing in Semei, according to the press service of the East Kazakhstan region’s akimat...


Dimash Kudaibergen becomes face of Kazakh national postal company

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national postal company Kazpost has signed Kazakh popular singer Dimash Kudaibergen as the face of its brand, according to the company’s press service. Born...


Kazakh investor Kenges Rakishev developing blockchain smartphone

ASTANA – Sirin Labs company chaired by prominent Kazakh investor and businessman Kenges Rakishev is developing a smartphone and PC running on blockchain technology. Founded in 2014...


First pictures of light rail train system in Astana revealed

ASTANA – The construction of a new light rail transport (LRT) system in Astana is underway and LRT Construction company, a subsidiary of the Astana city administration...


KASE to bring together startups and investors

ASTANA – The Kazakh stock exchange KASE will present startups to potential investors in early 2018, said Yevgenyi Mukhamedzhanov, managing director of the stock exchange. Mukhamedzhanov added...


Energy Minister explains recent petrol price hike in Kazakhstan, gets reprimanded

ASTANA – Over the recent weeks, people in Kazakhstan have been witnessing an increase in prices for petrol that resulted in heated public discussions. Kazakh Minister for...


Kazakh President visits manufacturing plants in Aktobe

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev was briefed on the operations of a rail beam plant operating under the State Programme for Accelerated Industrial and Innovative Development...


Kazakh President briefed on Baiterek project at Baikonur

ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev was briefed on the latest in Kazakh-Russian cooperation on the Baiterek joint project at the Baikonur complex during a recent trip...


Five new public gardens, one park to open in Astana by end of year

ASTANA – Five new public gardens and one park will be created in Astana by the end of the year. At least 962.5 million tenge (US$2.82 million)...


ATOM Project Honorary Ambassador congratulates ICAN for Nobel Prize win

ASTANA – The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), having played a key role in bringing to approval by 122 countries of the Treaty on the...


Astana Opera to present classic romances

ASTANA – Astana Opera fans have an excellent opportunity to time-travel to the 19th and 20th centuries, when great romances were created. Talented artists will perform the...


Bal Tekstil brings country’s carpet industry to international level

ASTANA – Bal Tekstil has been professionally manufacturing carpets and rugs in Ontustik, the South Kazakhstan region’s special economic zone, since 2011. During that time, the company...


Green Climate Fund to allocate up to $110 million for green energy investments

ASTANA – The Green Climate Fund (GCF) board approved funding of up to $110 million for the GCF-European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Kazakhstan Renewables Framework...


Russian FM visits Kazakhstan, participates in MGIMO alumni forum

ASTANA – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Kazakh counterpart Kairat Abdrakhmanov discussed preparations for the Nov. 9 14th Interregional Cooperation Forum in Chelyabinsk and attended...


Taldykorgan – city with rich history and bright future

ASTANA – Taldykorgan, the administrative capital of Almaty Region, is a city on the rise. Individuals representing nearly 70 different nationalities and ethnicities live in peace and...


Improving guest services should entice more travellers from China

ASTANA – The Eurasian Tourism Association recently announced plans to launch Salem China, a unique international project to entice tourists from the nation and promote the friendliness...


Development Bank of Kazakhstan updates strategy, seeks expansion of private investment

ASTANA – The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) announced Sept. 29 immediate changes to its development strategy for 2014-2023 which establish expanding private business projects and private...


Private investors to build glass suspension bridge in Burabai mountains

ASTANA – A glass suspension bridge is planned to be built in the mountains of the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort zone, Kazinform reported. “This project was initiated on the...


UNICEF highlights Kazakh government commitment to improve children’s well-being

ASTANA – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Oct. 5 roundtable focused on the challenges of providing access to social assistance and special social services for Kazakh...


Kazakhstan to establish antiterrorist headquarters monitoring Caspian Sea

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (NSC) plans to expand the network of anti-terrorist headquarters in the country by establishing an operational naval headquarters controlling the Caspian...


Kazakhstan-EU Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement expands interaction spectrum

BRUSSELS – The 21st meeting of the Berlin Eurasian Club, held in Brussels Oct. 4 under the title “The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the...


Cultural similarities, international cooperation unite Kazakhstan, Serbia, country’s ambassador says

ASTANA – Serbian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Vladan Matic in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times highlighted that Kazakhstan and Serbia are both hub-counties where various cultures...


Astana tests Finnish environmental monitoring system

ASTANA – Kazhydromet has been testing an innovative environmental monitoring technology which Finland presented at EXPO 2017. If successful, the system might be introduced on all city...


Almaty hosts I’m a Singer international music contest

ASTANA – I’m a Singer, an international vocal competition, is being hosted this fall by the Almaty Akimat (city administration) and Channel 31. The project, aimed at...


S&P expects Kazakhstan’s GDP to grow 3 percent in 2017-2020

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s real GDP growth is projected to reach 3 percent in 2017-2020, according to the recent S&P Global Ratings report. The implementation of government infrastructure...


Digital trends in education transform approaches to teaching and management

ASTANA – The electronic journal system is being widely used in more than 4,000 schools nationwide, said Minister of Education and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev at an Oct....


Central Asia’s largest solar power plant to launch in Karaganda region

ASTANA – A solar power plant with a 100-megawatt capacity will open next year in Saran in the Karaganda region. The facility, with 370,000 next-generation solar panels...


Entrepreneurship plays role in helping to socially rehab former prisoners and probationers

ASTANA – Some of the actions planned to help socially rehabilitate former prisoners and citizens in probation were reviewed by Minister of Internal Affairs Kalmukhanbet Kassymov during...


Qazaqstan TV starts broadcast of Silk Way Star contest

ASTANA – The national TV channel Qazaqstan has launched Sept. 30 broadcasting of the international music television show Silk Way Star. Artists from nine countries will compete...


First Astana Media Week takes place in capital

ASTANA – The first Astana Media Week kicked off in the capital city Oct. 4, bringing major media corporations and production companies together to set up partnerships...


New prisons will burden Kazakh budget, official says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has abandoned plans to build new prisons as part of the public-private partnership (PPP) due to the high cost of the project, said Minister...


Inflation to remain in 6.9-7.5% targeted corridor in 2017, says Kazakh NB governor

ASTANA – Kazakh National Bank Governor Daniyar Akishev said during an Oct. 3 government meeting that inflation is projected to remain in the targeted corridor of 6.9...


Kazakhstan exports products to 110 countries

ASTANA – Kazakh goods are being exported to 110 countries, said Minister for Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek during Nur Otan party hearings on realising the government...


Kazakhstan to export 5 billion cubic metres of gas to China

ASTANA ­– China recently agreed to a deal with KazTransGas to import 5 billion cubic metres of Kazakh natural gas during one calendar year, according to KazTransGas...


Work continues on bill to cut business regulations, costs

ASTANA – Relaxing controls on businesses and other changes to a draft law on business activities, “On amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic...


Kazakh IT start-ups to be prepared in Silicon Valley

ASTANA – Almaty Tech Garden is launching the international Startup Kazakhstan programme, with participants to be housed in the IT Quarter, reported Kazinform. The venture is the...


Kazakhstan’s halal labeled products enter UAE and Middle East market

ASTANA – KAZAKH INVEST presented Kazakh-produced items at the Halal Expo 2017 international food exhibit in Dubai, reported the company’s press service. Abai, Disada, Eurasia Invest, Golden...


Kazakh shoemaker highlights concerns hindering domestic producers

ASTANA – Kazakh manufacturer Zhamal-ai has been making footwear for more than 20 years. Company director Zibira Khassanova recently spoke about the obstacles faced by the country’s...


Kazakh government needs to continue consolidating its strategy of attracting more foreign investment

Nearly a decade after the 2008 global financial crisis, the global economy is improving. The most recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast, issued in July, projected global...


Kazakh national women’s volleyball team reaches world championship

ALMATY – Team Kazakhstan secured a place in the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Women’s Volleyball World Championship next year in Japan by finishing as runners-up in...


Astana Pro Team’s Alexei Lutsenko wins Tour of Almaty 2017

ALMATY – The Astana Pro Team’s Alexei Lutsenko of Kazakhstan has once again won the Tour of Almaty, this time in the race’s first iteration as a...


Nation prepares to celebrate Astana’s 20th anniversary

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a directive Sept. 30 to prepare for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Kazakh capital – Astana, the...


Kazakhstan, Latvia launch container service along China-to-Europe transcontinental route

ASTANA – Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Askar Mamin launched Sept. 29 via teleconference in Riga a new container service in the...


Kazakh government takes comprehensive approach to fighting corruption

Most Kazakh citizens don’t litter because they know it’s wrong. The same is true for an individual as he or she considers trying to bribe an official....


Workers receive $6.7 million in back pay after national labour inspections

ASTANA – As of Sept. 21, national labour inspectors revealed salary arrears to 20,000 employees worth more than 2.65 billion tenge (US$7.8 million) in 1,194 enterprises, according...


IT Quarter launches in Almaty

ASTANA – An IT Quarter for the development of information technologies has been launched in the centre of Almaty. The 17,000-square-metre facility will become the new home...


Ancient Botay culture to be explored and displayed in Borovoe

ASTANA – Akmola Region Akim (Governor) Malik Murzalin met with Viktor Zaibert, professor of archaeology and researcher behind one of the most sensational archaeological discoveries in Botay...


Civil servants from Russia improve their qualifications in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan hosted a seminar on introducing modern management technologies in the activities of state bodies for...


Kazhydromet tests automatic air quality monitoring sensor

ASTANA – Kazhydromet experts have started testing a Finnish ambient air pollution sensor they plan to adapt to the climatic conditions of Kazakhstan. “The Vaisala sensor was...


Almaty hosts Central Asia’s first football championship for children with cerebral palsy

ASTANA – Almaty hosted Sept. 26-27 the first football championship in Central Asia among children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and neurological diseases with the support of Kazakhstan’s...